I entered someone else's Apple ID into my phone
I entered someone else's Apple ID into my phone. The scammers demanded money and then blocked my phone. I lost access to the phone. What can I do about this?
I entered someone else's Apple ID into my phone. The scammers demanded money and then blocked my phone. I lost access to the phone. What can I do about this?
This is a common scam and usually ends with the device owner buying a new device.
Refer to How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support There are only two ways to remove a lock:
#1 If you have the necessary information you can do this yourself by simply signing in with the owner account and password information. However, you do not have the required information so try method 2 —>
#2 Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Read the requirements and steps for an Activation Lock support request at: https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says you need to have "proof of purchase documentation” and “proof of ownership documentation”, but does not detail what currently constitutes proof other than it “must include the product serial number, IMEI or MEID.” User reports on this community indicate that typically Apple will ONLY accept an original receipt issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller. Presumably this is the only kind Apple can authenticate against fraud since Apple is not involved in third party sales. Apple recommends that you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support
Note that the device cannot have Lost Mode set on it. If your device has been taken over by you having entered a scammer’s Account then the scammer may have set that too and the device is lost to you.
If Apple resets the device this will give you access to the device but won't restore access to the account used to lock it. There is nothing that can be done to expedite an Activation Lock request.
If you cannot get the device unlocked then read this section from the very bottom of Apple Trade In - Apple :
"Does Apple offer recycling?
Yes. Apple Trade In lets you recycle any Apple device (including devices from Apple-owned brands) at any Apple Store and on Apple for free. That includes your batteries and old electronic products as well as free, on-demand packaging recycling for our commercial, education, and institutional customers. When we receive your device, it will be thoroughly inspected to determine if components can be recycled or reused. Whether recycled or reused, all activities relating to the processing of your device will be managed in an environmentally responsible way."
And this one for future purchases: The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community
This is a common scam and usually ends with the device owner buying a new device.
Refer to How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support There are only two ways to remove a lock:
#1 If you have the necessary information you can do this yourself by simply signing in with the owner account and password information. However, you do not have the required information so try method 2 —>
#2 Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Read the requirements and steps for an Activation Lock support request at: https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says you need to have "proof of purchase documentation” and “proof of ownership documentation”, but does not detail what currently constitutes proof other than it “must include the product serial number, IMEI or MEID.” User reports on this community indicate that typically Apple will ONLY accept an original receipt issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller. Presumably this is the only kind Apple can authenticate against fraud since Apple is not involved in third party sales. Apple recommends that you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support
Note that the device cannot have Lost Mode set on it. If your device has been taken over by you having entered a scammer’s Account then the scammer may have set that too and the device is lost to you.
If Apple resets the device this will give you access to the device but won't restore access to the account used to lock it. There is nothing that can be done to expedite an Activation Lock request.
If you cannot get the device unlocked then read this section from the very bottom of Apple Trade In - Apple :
"Does Apple offer recycling?
Yes. Apple Trade In lets you recycle any Apple device (including devices from Apple-owned brands) at any Apple Store and on Apple for free. That includes your batteries and old electronic products as well as free, on-demand packaging recycling for our commercial, education, and institutional customers. When we receive your device, it will be thoroughly inspected to determine if components can be recycled or reused. Whether recycled or reused, all activities relating to the processing of your device will be managed in an environmentally responsible way."
And this one for future purchases: The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community
If you have proof of purchase/ownership, as explained in this related article, you can contact the official Apple Support and ask them to disable the Activation Lock:
It is likely that the scammers have set the phone into Lost Mode and that it is lost to you.
Paying them would be a bad idea because you would be rewarding criminals, and because you can never trust extortionists. Once you paid them, they might demand more and more money to release the phone - and in the end, still leave you with a “brick.”
I wouldn’t give the key to my home to some stranger who asked for it out on the street. It would not be surprising if that stranger robbed me if I did. If they quickly called a locksmith, or I gave them an only key, I might even find myself locked out of my own home.
The same applies here. You acted to intentionally register a stranger as the “owner” of your device. Then bad things predictably followed.
it seems no decision on that. Why Apple can not find some ways to solve the such situation? I m not a scammer but I lost my money and phone. It is wrong anyway. This way of security serves to scammers! It should not be like that. I would be appreciated for response it will help to another good users
Yes, it was wrong of the scammer but you made an unwise decision in actively helping somebody else take ownership of your device. The locking system is there to protect owners from having stolen devices being used by thieves but it can only go so far in protecting people from themselves. Accept this as a costly way in having learned a lesson.
I entered someone else's Apple ID into my phone