Can’t log out from Child account after deleting it

I have an iPhone that is still tied to an Apple ID which was a child account and was deleted a long time ago via Family Sharing. The Apple ID no longer exists (it says “account not found”), but the iPhone still requires the password for that Apple ID. Signing out is impossible, password recovery does not work, and verification always fails.

In practice, the device is stuck in a state where the Apple ID is gone, but Activation Lock remains active.

Has anyone encountered this issue specifically after deleting a child Apple ID?

Is there any legitimate way to properly remove Activation Lock in this situation without turning the device into a “brick”?

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Posted on Feb 9, 2026 11:09 PM

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Posted on Feb 10, 2026 8:13 AM

For future reference, carefully and thoroughly read this support article —> How to delete your Apple Account - Apple Support

for how to delete an account and about what happens when you delete an Apple Account. For example:

"Make sure that you sign out of all your devices to avoid issues with apps that use your Apple Account or iCloud. After your account is deleted, you can’t sign out of iCloud or turn off Find My iPhone Activation Lock on your devices. If you forget to sign out, you might not be able to use your device when your account is deleted."


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 and links at the bottom right for the type of service requested. Apple says they “may” require "proof of purchase documentation” and that you need “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 absolutely require, and 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


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 10, 2026 8:13 AM in response to valeriya18

For future reference, carefully and thoroughly read this support article —> How to delete your Apple Account - Apple Support

for how to delete an account and about what happens when you delete an Apple Account. For example:

"Make sure that you sign out of all your devices to avoid issues with apps that use your Apple Account or iCloud. After your account is deleted, you can’t sign out of iCloud or turn off Find My iPhone Activation Lock on your devices. If you forget to sign out, you might not be able to use your device when your account is deleted."


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 and links at the bottom right for the type of service requested. Apple says they “may” require "proof of purchase documentation” and that you need “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 absolutely require, and 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


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Can’t log out from Child account after deleting it

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