Just bought an iPhone 5 in second hand and it seems that i need to have the Apple ID from the first owner to use it… Any advice?

Too, there's no proof that the OP obtained the iPhone legitimately. No one truly believes that all of the people who have claimed, "I forgot my Apple ID, my password, my email address, my security questions and answers, and my birthday" are telling the truth. If the OP did obtain the iPhone legitimately, his second step - the first was to post on Apple's website - should be to make an appointment with an Apple Genius, and discuss the situation.

trajan1 wrote:

What are you talking about ? its not supposed to work that way. You are not supposed to buy a used iPhone legitimately and not be able to get it to work....

The Activation Locks was explained to you many times, you don't want to accept it, it's alright with me. The facts doesn't change because you don't accept.

There is also a support document about what to do if you sell your iPhone

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5661

trajan1 wrote:

... Apple sells used(refurbished) iPhones themselves. What if they forgot to turn the Finf My IPhone on and did not respond to your requests? Its supposed to work that way?

You can always go back to the Apple Store and I am sure you'll be taken good care of and things sorted out.

This Activation Lock was a big request from users as well as Police departments all over the world because stolen iPhones were a big issue in many country. Now the Police also recommend you to update to IOS7.

I think my fundamental assumption is relatively sound. I did not at any point say that everyone was a crook. Lots of people are innocently buying iPhones second hand, only to find they have been scammed. Lots of people are selling iPhones on eBay that are properly, legimately unlocked.

trajan1 wrote:

Thats not true. That is a fundamental flaw in your argument. That it was most likely not a legitimate seller if the Find my iPhone is turned on.

OK. how's this for clarification. Either the phone was not acquired legitimately (i.e. it was stolen or 'lost') or both the seller and the buyer are absolutel idiots for not bothering to remove the lock/check to make sure it was not locked (respectively) prior to completing the sale.

Yeah, I should have mentioned that second possibility. Thanks, Tim! 🙂

My vote as well.

Yep.

Legitimate buyers of used phones, gazelle or nextworth, specifically state that if the device has find my iphone activated

They will not buy the device.

Any legitimate seller of used phones will check the device to ensure it is working.

Ok so they are either crooks or idiots. Thats how you people look at the situation. If i could go to the Apple store and be helped why do you think i would be here debating the issue with you critics? What part of Apple is not helping do you not understand?

Obviously most of you have no good idea about how to deal with this problem other than to assume that everyone is a crook or an idiot. Thats ridiculous considering that the solution is very simple. If a person cant respond to Apple's emails to regarding the status of an iPhone withint 4 weeks then Apple should remove the iPhone from any Apple account and consider it legitimately sold. Its as simple as that.

You're completely missing the point of Activation Lock. Numerous people have tried to tell you about it. You can Google and read further information for yourself. After awhile, it's like talking to a brick wall. Just because you believe something to be true doesn't make it so. You might think Apple "should" do this or "should" do that but Activation Lock was designed the way it was for a reason.

Ok so what is the point of activation lock ? And while you are at it can you tell me why Apple sends me an email everytime something changes on my Apple account? Why does Apple do that?

Ya know... I thought we were talking about solving a problem. Do you have a solution to the problem or not?

If you bought a stolen car, the manufacturer should help you? You must be living in a dream world.

Any seller who disappeared after the product is sold or ignore the buyer request is not a good sign. You got scammed. Apple will not help, it's between you and the seller.

Nobody is talking about buying anything stolen! Sheesh! You just dont get it. If i bought a car from a guy and he forgot to give me the keys or he lost the keys. I can go to the dealer and get a new set of keys for the car. The manufacturer will help me. Now Apple is helping nobody!! Their Found My iPhone feature has a huge flaw in it and is a black eye for iOS7. Its as simple as that. Can you understand that? Do you have a solution to the problem or not?

trajan1 wrote:

Nobody is talking about buying anything stolen! Sheesh! You just dont get it. If i bought a car from a guy and he forgot to give me the keys or he lost the keys. I can go to the dealer and get a new set of keys for the car. The manufacturer will help me. Now Apple is helping nobody!! Their Found My iPhone feature has a huge flaw in it and is a black eye for iOS7. Its as simple as that. Can you understand that? Do you have a solution to the problem or not?

While I hate to jump into this dispute, I just wanted to mention that that example actually happened to me. I bought a used car and the owner forgot to give me the trunk keys and I couldn't locate him afterwards and so went over to a dealer for that car and they checked my received title and created keys for me.

I think the issue here is "what is reasonable?"

Obviously nobody wants their stolen iPhones taken to Apple and hijacked with the help of the Apple Store.

On the other hand, reason can also prevail, and in an emergency it is probably possible for Apple to dot their i's and cross their t's and somehow determine proper providence and assist a person who is locked out of a legitimate purchase due to neglect of the seller.

doug

All sound reasonable. You got the received title, so it's not exactly what happened here.

Unless he got the original iPhone receipt from a supported store Apple or otherwise, he can claimed what he wants. Does thief tells the truth?

Anyway, enough said, I am out of here.

The difference here, Doug, is that cars are titled by the State. There is a clear chain of custody and transfers of ownership must be legally witnessed. Phones are not. Apple will assist a person who is locked out of a legitimate purchase. All they have to do is provide the original proof of purchase for the phone from an authorized seller. That is, the first sale. Not their ebay reciept, or amazon invoice, or a handwritten letter from the guy they bought it from on craigslist. If they can't do that, then Apple won't get involved.