Activation Lock issue on iPod touch 5th gen after years of inactivity

lil_ovidel18 wrote:

And what’s the point of Activation Lock after a reset, when all the data is erased? There’s nothing left to “protect.”

If you could remove the Activation Lock with a reset, then any Apple device could be stolen, reset, and then set it up as their device. Currently there is absolutely no incentive to do that as there is no value in a device that has been stolen with Activation Lock turned on. It is much more than simply being concerned about the data on the device. You certainly could have turned off Activation Lock if you did not want that protection.

By the way, simply forgetting the password does not necessarily mean you are required to have the purchase receipt. Account Recovery can be used in most cases to request access and you don't even need access to the email address used. I suspect there are additional factors that are preventing you from accessing your account such as not using two factor authentication or forgetting the security questions that you also set up if two factor authentication was not being used.

• Recycle the iPod, do not throw it into landfill.
• Activation Lock protects your device from being stolen and used by someone else. You can turn it off if you do not want that protection.
• Yes, you should be buying from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller. Never buy from an online marketplace as you may be contributing in trafficking of stolen property and end up with an unusable device, and a complete loss of money if there is no way to return it. The same is true for Pawn Shops or stores where the devices were not actually purchased from Apple.
• The only receipts that are verifiable with certainty are the ones from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller. Even I could create a receipt, that certainly would not prove that I was the legitimate owner of the device.
• With two factor authentication, in most cases your account is recoverable when you forget the password even if you no longer have access to the email address. All new accounts use two factor authentication by default (in supported regions), and for older accounts you can still turn it on for Account security. There will be a waiting period. How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support

We can agree or disagree with you as much as you like but it doesn't change how Apple does things. Device theft is a big issue and there are as many people complaining that Apple doesn't do enough to discourage it as there are people who complain Apple is doing too much. They are ****** if they do and ****** if they don't and you are in the former camp. What is certain is the people on this forum can't do anything in your case.

Apple has their criteria for what they believe as proof of purchase. Anybody can fake a receipt. Apple presumably has ways of verifying authenticity of receipts from their authorized dealers.

If you want Apple to hear about this (only the moderators read this forum), post it here Product Feedback - Apple

You are getting help, just not being told what you want to hear. If you had the original receipt (I have some that are 40 years old and are still valid for lifetime warranty support) then you would likely be on your way to getting it unlocked.

Activation lock requires you to be able to log into your account or to provide proof of purchase from Apple or an Apple Authored reseller. You can always recycle your old devices for free at Apple or nearly any electronics retailer.

lil_ovidel18 wrote:

I know what you are talking about and I understand it perfectly I'm just saying that many legitimate people had trouble of removing activation lock even if they proved their purchase because even if they showed the documents or the receipt, apple still refused to unlock their devices and they had to buy brand new devices

That's why it's important to retain your account access and to keep receipts of your important purchases.

Oh, about receipt fading, you are correct, though it can take a decade or two. I scan mine when I get home.