Can Apple reset iPhone's locked to a users Apple ID?

Hi guys,


I want to know if it's possible for Apple to completely factory reset an iPhone and unlink any Apple ID associated with the device.


To put this in to context, I manage telephony and mobile devices for the company that I work for. Unfortunately, a few employees have left under a cloud and as such have not reset their company issued iPhone's so that they can be reused. I know that it's not possible to unlink an Apple ID without the previous owners credentials and I obviously wouldn't want to do anything untoward.


I wonder if anybody else has had a similiar experience? Whether you could point me in the right direction, or let me know if this is something that Apple can do?


Thanks for your help!


P.s. Apologies if this is in the wrong section, I just wanted to emphasize that this is a business requirement.

iPhone 5s, iOS 8, Various iOS 7/8 installs

Posted on Jun 17, 2015 2:44 AM

Reply
30 replies

Jun 20, 2015 6:09 AM in response to lamonte12

lamonte12 wrote:


My phone is locked and I need to be unlock if all can't get it unlock send me a new phone iphone6pluse okay

No, no one here is going to send you a new phone.


What do you mean by locked? Passcode locked and you've forgotten the passcode? Start here:


Forgot passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support


Or do you mean locked to a carrier? If so, contact the carrier to which it is locked and ask if you qualify to have it unlocked.


Or, do you mean activation locked? If so you either need the passcode to the Apple ID to which it is locked or, you need to be able to present proof to Apple that you are the original owner.

Jun 20, 2015 10:33 AM in response to Rayamondo

With the phone and receipt in hand a trip to the Apple store and they will unlock on the spot.

ALso so if your using a MDM for your company you can set the device up as supervised and the MDM will store a code to turn FMI off in the future withoit having to know the Apple ID or password to the device. You can read more below


https://www.apple.com/business/docs/iOS_Security_Guide.pdf

Jul 6, 2015 4:08 PM in response to imodztech

imodztech wrote:

ALso so if your using a MDM for your company you can set the device up as supervised and the MDM will store a code to turn FMI off in the future withoit having to know the Apple ID or password to the device. You can read more below


https://www.apple.com/business/docs/iOS_Security_Guide.pdf

Can you explain this more, please? From that guide:

"With iOS 7.1 or later, a compatible MDM solution can enable Activation Lock on

supervised devices when a user turns on Find My iPhone. MDM administrators can

manage Find My iPhone Activation Lock by supervising devices with Apple Configurator

or the Device Enrollment Program. The MDM solution can then store a bypass code

when Activation Lock is enabled, and later use this code to clear Activation Lock

automatically when the device needs to be erased and assigned to a new user. See

your MDM solution documentation for details."


So if I want to have my devices in this supervised mode, I have to do something with Apple Configurator or DEP? As far as I can tell, we can't use DEP because our reseller (Optus) appears not to participate in it. We can't use Apple Configurator because we don't have a Mac. Is this something that can't be done with the MDM alone?

Dec 6, 2015 2:24 PM in response to Rayamondo

Hi,

I have problem with apple ID lock. I bought iPhone from a friend who didn't explain me how that work and I factory reseted that iPhone and i now can't pass that actiavion screen because he don't know mail password or apple ID password. Is there any possibility that Apple will reset me that iPhone if he come with me to their store or licenssed seller where he bought it or sign some contract about selling or whatever Apple need to be sure that it's not stolen iPhone. I have bill,contract about telecom subscription (with VIP) and all papers that come with device. If that is possible i would like to know how much time it will take because I bought that phone for a gift not for my use and i would like to fix that till Christmas.

And last thing that I would like to know is that is there any way to send phone to Apple store with post for that because here in Rijeka,Croatia we dont have offical Apple store nearest is 150 km from here ( Zagreb,Croatia and Trst,Italy).

Please help me and thanks

Marino Moric

Dec 6, 2015 2:40 PM in response to marinorijeka

Apple will not unlock a iCloud locked iDevice unless you are the original owner with receipt / invoice.


You will need the original owner to deactivate iCloud lock.


You will need your friend to remove iCloud lock using the instructions in this link:

iCloud: Remove your device from Find My iPhone


They can get their Apple ID using this info: If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

They can reset their password using this info: If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


There is NO WAY to bypass iCloud lock.

There would be NO point to having iCloud lock if it could be bypassed.

iCloud lock is a anti-theft measure.

Dec 6, 2015 2:41 PM in response to Its-me-Luigi

I know that and but he dont know mail password neither , that is problem. I am not looking for way to bypass that lock by myself I wanna go to their store or retailer with my friend who sell me that phone and show all documents that he owns that phone and I want to prove them that it is his phone and explain them what happened and now we came to my question and it is can their employees in store with al documentation that will prove property unlock it via some program or whatever they use.

May 16, 2016 4:58 AM in response to JustPolly101

Only the person who initiated the Activation Lock can remove it.

Apple will not remove the Activation Lock for other than the initial

purchaser (with proof of original purchase from authorized seller

showing serial number). eBay is not an authorized seller of iPhones

nor are you the original owner.


If the iPhone was not described as Activation Locked, immediately

start a claim with eBay for a refund.

May 16, 2016 12:28 PM in response to Rayamondo

You can contact AppleCare through 18002752273. You will want to be put in touch with Enterprise Support for Activation Lock. They generally require someone in the tech department of your company to contact them as they would normally have all the documentation at hand to be verified that they are the rightful owner of the locked iPhone(s).


You can attempt these other suggestions, but depending on the number of phones/devices you will need to have removed from this lock, you will likely be better off with the option I have listed.


Please note that this is a special case in which Apple's Enterprise Support is a free support service. All other Enterprise Support concerns are of cost.


Anyone inquiring on this issue who owns their device as a personal device can utilize Turn off Find My iPhone Activation Lock - Apple Support, an appointment at your local Apple Retail Store for the Genius Bar, or call the 18002752273 helpline to speak with AppleCare Support to verify your ownership of the account in question or of the device. If you cannot be verified through the security information which you provided for your account, to which you are solely responsible for, you can provide Apple with the original proof of purchase which they can submit to a validation team for its authenticity and then have your phone wiped of that account to regain entry. Be aware that the latter can take several days, so it is advised to fully attempt all other options before this.

May 16, 2016 12:32 PM in response to JustPolly101

If you purchased an iPhone from a second hand marketplace, your best option will be to attempt to contact the seller and give them this article: What to do before selling or giving away your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support.


They can follow these steps (specifically the ones relating to iCloud.com) to remove their account from your device. If you cannot reach the seller, eBay has an excellent buyers support system which I would recommend you contact.


Apple will not be able to remove Activation Lock from the phone on your behalf.

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Can Apple reset iPhone's locked to a users Apple ID?

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