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My iPhone has been locked to owner, how do I fix it?

I have my phone apple id as well as I know the password but for security reasons my phone is locked help me out how to unlock it


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone XS

Posted on Sep 8, 2024 5:16 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 8, 2024 12:42 PM

You have either forgotten or incorrectly entered your log-in information, or you were logged out and somebody else signed in. The latter is very difficult to do unless you practice very weak security or, frankly, do something stupid like let somebody else sign in on your device.


Apple has two related features, Activation Lock ( Activation Lock for iPhone and iPad - Apple Support ) and Find My ( iCloud+ - Find My - Apple ), which are designed to prevent anyone else from using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if it's ever lost or stolen. Deactivation of either requires knowing the Apple ID and password that set the feature, or by placing a special request to Apple to reset the device. This Apple ID information essentially defines the current ownership of the device.


If you do not know the required information, are not the signed-in owner, or do not have Apple accepted proof of purchase, get the owner of the account to remove the lock, or return the device for a refund, or recycle the device. The device is otherwise useless to you. If the owner is unknown and has not provided contact information as a message showing in the login screen, there is no way to contact the owner unless the person who gave you the device knows them.


Here are additional resources if you are the account owner, can find the previous device owner, or have an Apple accepted proof or purchase:


● Read this article for disabling Find My if Activation Lock has not yet engaged --> Turn off Find My on your iPhone or other devices - Apple Support , or this one to learn how to remove Activation Lock either on the device itself or on the web --> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support


● Help with a lost Apple ID or password:

• For help with a forgotten Apple ID (this is likely an active email address or one used in the past), click here --> If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

• For help with a forgotten Apple ID password, click here --> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


● Reset device if you can prove to Apple's satisfaction you are the owner:

Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. This is done online* at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not provide many details in the article as to what is acceptable proof. Prior to this official service Apple typically required the original receipt** issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller and documented provenance (so typically it would be the first owner who does this, or a descendant with legal proof of ownership transfer). Note that while this will let you get use of the device again, it will not help you with lost access to an account.


* There is a special link for this service. To save time you should use it instead of https://getsupport.apple.com/


**Apple recommends you keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device. --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support



3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 8, 2024 12:42 PM in response to Zcuu

You have either forgotten or incorrectly entered your log-in information, or you were logged out and somebody else signed in. The latter is very difficult to do unless you practice very weak security or, frankly, do something stupid like let somebody else sign in on your device.


Apple has two related features, Activation Lock ( Activation Lock for iPhone and iPad - Apple Support ) and Find My ( iCloud+ - Find My - Apple ), which are designed to prevent anyone else from using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if it's ever lost or stolen. Deactivation of either requires knowing the Apple ID and password that set the feature, or by placing a special request to Apple to reset the device. This Apple ID information essentially defines the current ownership of the device.


If you do not know the required information, are not the signed-in owner, or do not have Apple accepted proof of purchase, get the owner of the account to remove the lock, or return the device for a refund, or recycle the device. The device is otherwise useless to you. If the owner is unknown and has not provided contact information as a message showing in the login screen, there is no way to contact the owner unless the person who gave you the device knows them.


Here are additional resources if you are the account owner, can find the previous device owner, or have an Apple accepted proof or purchase:


● Read this article for disabling Find My if Activation Lock has not yet engaged --> Turn off Find My on your iPhone or other devices - Apple Support , or this one to learn how to remove Activation Lock either on the device itself or on the web --> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support


● Help with a lost Apple ID or password:

• For help with a forgotten Apple ID (this is likely an active email address or one used in the past), click here --> If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

• For help with a forgotten Apple ID password, click here --> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


● Reset device if you can prove to Apple's satisfaction you are the owner:

Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. This is done online* at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not provide many details in the article as to what is acceptable proof. Prior to this official service Apple typically required the original receipt** issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller and documented provenance (so typically it would be the first owner who does this, or a descendant with legal proof of ownership transfer). Note that while this will let you get use of the device again, it will not help you with lost access to an account.


* There is a special link for this service. To save time you should use it instead of https://getsupport.apple.com/


**Apple recommends you keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device. --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support



Sep 8, 2024 7:25 AM in response to Zcuu

The Apple Support Community Forums are sometimes visited by AI / LMM / ChatBots.


AI / LLM are basically a Super Version of Predictive Text which is based upon a Data Set.


When that Data Set is based upon older data points, the outcome of the response will be equally out dated and / or unreliable


AI is also the newest form for Data Mining by Large Corporations.


Suggest being very careful about this.


Some suggestions can be incorrect, misinformed , incomplete, impossible to do, out right wrong and may supply outdated links that are no longer relevant to current conditions


" Material submitted must be your own work or work to which you have a license. By posting a Submission, you warrant and represent that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to the information contained in your Submission. "

My iPhone has been locked to owner, how do I fix it?

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