Factory reset found phone
I picked up an iPhone 12 and would like to factory reset it so I may use it for myself, wiping the previous owners information totally so that information is protected.
iPhone SE, iOS 17
Question marked as
You "picked up" a phone that has been Activation Locked. Unless you can contact the original owner for their Apple ID and Password, the phone will remain completely useless.
Sure, you can take the phone to an Apple Store, but Apple will not help you because you cannot prove that you are the original owner.
If you purchased the phone from someone else, return it for a refund.
Otherwise, drop it off at the recycling center.