I bought an iphone 5s on craigslist and it says I need the original icloud log in too access it?

There are several steps that should be done, and a few others that may be options

to prepare a previously owned + used iPhone for re-sale. Some ideas that I'm not

so sure of, include the ability in some instances of unlocking the unit for use with

other carriers. However the general thrust of most articles online cover the basics,

and a few other such as this one include the unlocking; which is not a standard form

of simple reset. The basic reset is fine of a user/owner wants to start over, but not

fully erase the unit. The seller appears to not have gone through the process of

removing the iPhone from their Apple account; perhaps also missed other details.

See the Apple Support iPhone section for those; or at least the former owner should be-

fore attempting to resell what otherwise is a useless device still attached to their accounts.

•iPhone - Apple Support main:

http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/

Some of the online suggestions may or may not include ones not recommended by Apple:

One or more of several online articles about this:

http://osxdaily.com/2013/09/02/prepare-iphone-for-sale/

http://appletoolbox.com/2012/02/how-to-prepare-your-used-iphone-ipad-or-ipod-tou ch-for-sale

search results link:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=how+to+ready+a+used+iPhone+for+resale&t=ffsb/

Return it and get your money back if the seller can't or won't remove the lock. If they refuse to give you your money back, turn it over to the police as it's very likely stolen.

The previous owner needs to follow these instructions:

What to do before selling or giving away your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Here's the specific instructions from Apple: What to do before selling or giving away your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Yes, I was about to add that support page address to my post, but had a power outage;

so I send what I had immediately. The grid was down for almost three hours; usually

nothing at all works when the power goes out, including hardwire phone, cable, internet.

My UPS will run my computers for a limited time + internet; & I was surprised to have

internet working beyond when power went out. I was able for the first time (8yrs) at this

bundled ISP nightmare to make a phone call to the power utility to report the outage.

Since the phone near my desk is supported by the UPS, so is the internet modem, for

some reason I was able to use only this household phone; incidentally a cordless one.

Phone base station did not lose power, and the cable-to-phone converter stayed up...

So I'm appreciative of a suitable reply when I had no way to complete my post; and

took a chance just before shutting off two computer systems and other accessories

moments after all the power in this area went out for almost three hours.

And I'll be sure that same page will be bookmarked in my browsers... Now I've the Power. 😎

Ah, I was surprised I didn't see the link in your post, because I know you are generally very thorough. Thanks for clarifying.