Hello, I just bought a used iPhone 4S but can't get past the ID to continue set up. I went to iforgot as requested to reset my password to my existing account. Still can't get past the ID.

Question

artstar Author

Level 1

4 points

Hello, I just bought a used iPhone 4S but can't get past the ID to continue set up. I went to iforgot as requested to reset my password to my existing account. Still can't get past the ID.

Hello,

I am having setup issues with a used 4S iphone. I can't get past the Apple ID step.

First it said it was an existing ID and I should go to iforgot and reset my password.

I did, but still keep getting the error message.

Then I entered the serial number online support and it said the ID was another account. Would that be the seller?

Do I need to get them to unregister under their name before I can proceed? Or...

Please help. I start new job on Monday that required me to have a smartphone. I need it up and running.

Thank you

R

Posted on Dec 4, 2014 4:32 PM

Reply

Answer 1

razmee209

Level 10

199,614 points

Dec 4, 2014 4:35 PM in response to artstar

You've ran into the icloud activation lock, you will need the previous owner info to unlock the phone, without it you have a paper weight.

The risk you take from buying a used iphone.

Find My iPhone Activation Lock - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 4, 2014 4:37 PM in response to artstar

Yes, you have encountered Activation Lock (Find My iPhone Activation Lock - Apple Support). The only way that phone will ever be usable is if the owner the phone is locked to releases it (see: Find My iPhone Activation Lock: Removing a device from a previous owner’s account - Apple Support). If you are lucky the phone is locked to the seller, so you can ask them to unlock it. If the seller is merely a middleman and the previous owner is not the seller it gets much more complicated. It's even possible that you bought a stolen phone, in which case you will never be able to use it and you should return it for a refund.

Reply

Answer 3

ckuan

Level 10

120,932 points

Dec 4, 2014 4:37 PM in response to artstar

Since it's a used iPhone, I think you are facing the Activation Lock.

Did the seller did this: What to do before selling or giving away your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

You need the previous owner Apple ID & password and his/her help, without the correct credentials you have a brick and there's no way to bypass that.

Reply

Answer 4

kb1951

Level 10

126,167 points

Dec 4, 2014 4:38 PM in response to artstar

You will need to contact the prior owner of the phone to have them remove the Apple ID information. Without this, the phone is useless to you.

Reply

Answer 5

artstar Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 5, 2014 2:15 PM in response to kb1951

Hello,

Thank you for the help. I have contacted the original owner and he is removing his ID.

But new problem. How do I get back to the setup? I selected the SKIP feature for Apple Services and can't

find it again to access Apple.

Reply

Answer 6

ckuan

Level 10

120,932 points

Dec 5, 2014 3:28 PM in response to artstar

artstar wrote:

Hello,

Thank you for the help. I have contacted the original owner and he is removing his ID.

But new problem. How do I get back to the setup? I selected the SKIP feature for Apple Services and can't

find it again to access Apple.

Do a backup using computer iTunes.

Now you can wipe the iPhone and set it up as new

Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content & Settings

After Erase finishes, you can then restore from your backup.

Reply