How do I remove Activation Lock on an iMac?

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Level 1

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How do I remove Activation Lock on an iMac?

Hello everyone, so this long story is... I bought an iMac from someone that got the computer from an abandoned unit storage (I didn't know that) so obviously I don't have the Apple ID or Password, I contacted Apple support and they sent me the steps to Remove the Activation Lock. I need details as you must know about the original purchase information, which I only have the serial number, the IMEI or MEID (I have the original package box), original price at the moment (2009) and the possible original owner name with the storage unit number that he/she abandoned. So my question is if there's any way to unlock this with that barely information and because of the special situation that basically was abandoned long time ago and I bought it from someone else. if maybe even leaving the computer in the physical store, Idk I can't believe an working iMac would be waisted like that. (I already tried to Factory Reset from disk utility and it doesn't work)

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: How to remove Activation Lock

Posted on Jul 6, 2025 4:10 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Tesserax

Level 10

158,730 points

Jul 7, 2025 8:29 AM in response to angiesequera

Servant of Cats is spot on. Activation Lock is definitely not available on a 2009 Mac (any model).

As a minimum, Activation Lock requires two things:

A Intel-based Mac model equipped with a T2 security chip or an Apple Silicon-based Mac model.
The Mac would need to support running macOS Catalina or newer.

Most likely, this issue relates to the original owner enabling a firmware password on this Mac.

Ref: Set a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

93,358 points

Jul 6, 2025 4:27 PM in response to angiesequera

No, it is useless to you or anyone else if the original owner did not properly prepare it for resale.

see > What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

If you can, return it to the person that you bought it from and get your money back.

If not, then recycle it and count it as a lesson learned.

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Answer 3

Jul 6, 2025 4:28 PM in response to angiesequera

You cannot remove Activation Lock from the computer without the credentials of the one who locked the device.

There is no workaround. Full stop.

The 2009-era iMac is long obsolete in any case. Best to simply recycle it.

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Answer 4

Jul 6, 2025 5:29 PM in response to angiesequera

I don't believe that 2009 iMacs supported Activation Lock. What the OP has probably encountered is a firmware password. Same effect in this case as an Activation Lock, as Apple won't remove either without proof of original purchase which the OP clearly doesn't have.

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