How to remove Activation Lock on an iPhone 13 Pro Max purchased from a local store in Iran?

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Level 1

4 points

How to remove Activation Lock on an iPhone 13 Pro Max purchased from a local store in Iran?

Activation Lock on my iPhone 13 Pro Max — I know the correct password and security answers, but my Apple Account is locked

Hello everyone,

I live in Iran and I have an iPhone 13 Pro Max that I purchased second-hand from a local store in Iran.

I am the current legal owner of the device. I know the correct password for the Apple Account associated with the device, and I also know the correct answers to the security questions. However, unfortunately, I no longer have access to the trusted email address associated with the Apple Account, and the Apple Account is currently locked.

Because the Apple Account is locked, I am unable to complete the activation of my iPhone and I am stuck at the Activation Lock screen.

I also have proof of ownership and purchase, including:

An official purchase invoice from the store in Iran
The original iPhone box
The device's IMEI/serial number and other identifying information

I have already submitted several requests to Apple Support to remove Activation Lock using my proof of purchase, but unfortunately my requests were returned/rejected.

I understand that Activation Lock is an important security feature, and I am not looking for any bypass or unofficial method. I am only looking for a legitimate solution through Apple.

There is one thing I would really like to understand:

Since Apple does not have an official Apple Store in Iran, what legitimate option is available for someone in Iran who purchased an iPhone from a local store and has a genuine purchase invoice and the original box?

I also noticed that Iran appears as an available country/region when starting an Activation Lock removal request. If Apple accepts Activation Lock support requests from Iran, what type of proof of purchase would be considered sufficient for an iPhone purchased from a legitimate Iranian retailer?

I have already contacted Apple Support several times and submitted my documents, but the requests were unsuccessful. If Apple cannot approve my request, I would at least like to understand exactly what is missing or why my documents are not sufficient.

Has anyone in a similar situation in Iran successfully had Activation Lock removed through Apple's official process? If so, what documents did Apple accept?

Thank you very much for any advice or guidance.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Activation Lock on my iPhone 13 Pro Max — I know the correct password and security answers, but my Apple Account is locked

Posted on Sep 1, 2026 12:46 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 1, 2026 5:29 AM in response to alireza0

alireza0 wrote:

I live in Iran and I have an iPhone 13 Pro Max that I purchased second-hand from a local store in Iran.

The title of your post asks how to remove Activation Lock from this phone. Apple will not remove Activation Lock from a phone on the basis of a second-hand sales receipt.

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone – Apple Community

I also have proof of ownership and purchase, including:

An official purchase invoice from the store in Iran

• The original iPhone box

• The device's IMEI/serial number and other identifying information

I have already submitted several requests to Apple Support to remove Activation Lock using my proof of purchase, but unfortunately my requests were returned/rejected.

I'm not surprised that Apple has rejected your requests. They require proof of original purchase, in the form of a receipt from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller clearly identifying the specific iPhone.

A box, an IMEI, or a second-hand sales receipt are not grounds for granting an Activation Lock Request. On top of that, Apple will not remove Activation Lock on a phone that is in Lost Mode. If the phone is in that mode, it means that somebody took the trouble to mark it as lost or stolen.

Since Apple does not have an official Apple Store in Iran, what legitimate option is available for someone in Iran who purchased an iPhone from a local store and has a genuine purchase invoice and the original box?

Apple will not remove Activation Lock based upon second-hand sales receipts, or upon receipts from dealers who are not Authorized Apple Resellers. I could set up a cart in a back alley that sells "iPhones that fell off a truck" and give "genuine purchase invoices" from "Five Finger Discount, Inc." to all of my customers, but it wouldn't make the invoices acceptable for Activation Lock removal purposes in Apple's eyes.

If you purchase an iPhone from an unauthorized dealer, you assume all risk related to lack of warranty and of other support.

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Answer 2

Katana-San

Level 10

106,725 points

Sep 1, 2026 8:17 AM in response to alireza0

Hello ~ That is the activation lock. If the person/persons that you bought the iPhone from cannot or will not remove it …the iPhone is basically useless to you. If they cannot/will not remove it…return it and get your money back. We cannot help remove it nor can Apple. Take a look here…

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Also…

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone

~Katana-San~

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Answer 3

alireza0 Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 1, 2026 10:57 PM in response to PreCognition

would appreciate some advice specifically about recovering my own Apple Account.

This is my own Apple Account, not the previous owner's account. I still know the correct password and I also know the answers to the security questions that were associated with this account.

The problem is that when I try to sign in, I receive only:

“This Apple ID has been locked”

There is no “Request Access” option on the screen, only OK.

I no longer have access to the trusted email address or trusted phone number associated with the account.

My question is: Is there any legitimate recovery procedure for an older Apple ID that still has security questions, where the owner knows the correct password and security-question answers but has lost access to the trusted email/phone number?

Can Apple Support manually verify the account and unlock it based on these details, or is there another official recovery route that I should try?

I am not asking for an Activation Lock bypass. I am trying to regain access to my own locked Apple Account so that I can legitimately activate my iPhone again.

If anyone has dealt with this exact situation, especially with an older Apple ID that has security questions, I would really appreciate your advice.

Thank yo

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Answer 4

Sep 1, 2026 2:23 AM in response to alireza0

Since the Apple Account itself is locked, I’d focus on regaining access to that account first. Apple says a locked or inactive account may offer a “Request Access” option, and if you permanently lost access to the trusted contact method, account recovery may still be available.

For Activation Lock, Apple’s only other official route is the Activation Lock support request with proof of purchase.

The original box, IMEI, and possession of the phone don’t by themselves prove that the previous owner transferred ownership. Apple also doesn’t publish a checklist saying that a receipt from a particular Iranian retailer will automatically qualify. If Apple has already reviewed and rejected the submitted documentation, nobody here can tell you what additional document would make Apple approve it.

Since it was bought second-hand, I’d also contact the store that sold it to you. If the Activation Lock belongs to a previous owner, the store may need to work with that owner or take the phone back.

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