Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Newsroom Update

Apple is introducing a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop, matching watch face, and dynamic iOS and iPadOS wallpapers as a way to champion global movements to protect and advance equality for LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How do I find original owner of iphone?

I purchased a used iphone but it is locked by the original owner. (Presumably the guy I bought it from stole it.) How do I find the original owner of this iphone?

iPhone 5

Posted on Dec 12, 2013 11:00 AM

Reply
25 replies

Feb 4, 2015 6:03 AM in response to sammilan

You can't and please stop spamming this forum with meaningless questions that have been answered again and again.


If you have an activation lock on the phone and you can't get the original details, then you can never use the phone - end of.


If the phone is locked, then you need to get it unlocked by the carrier it is locked to and that is it - contact the carrier because nobody here can help you.

Dec 11, 2016 5:41 AM in response to lmroche

Here is where Apple loses me: Why do they put the email of the iCloud account owner cyphered on the Activation Lock screen if they inexplicably do not allow anyone to be able to contact him or her? If the device was lost, it would be reasonable to leave the e-mail/Apple ID e-mail VISIBLE... One other thing is that you can only reset a device from WITHIN iOS, meaning you have to have been able to insert the PIN, fingerprint TWICE, once to get inside iOS and twice to be able to factory reset the device... therefore, it makes absolutely no sense to still block the device once it is reset by presumably the rightful owner of the device... Apple, at the very least, should allow anyone who finds the device or is sold a locked one to contact the previous owner whose e-mail is RIGHT THERE on the activation lock, but inexplicably cyphered...

How do I find original owner of iphone?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.