HT201441: Turn off Find My iPhone Activation Lock

Learn about Turn off Find My iPhone Activation Lock
southerngurl777

Q: I purchased 2 iphone 4 from Goodwill.com, they are both icloud locked. I bought them to use to store music. I have the receipt for the purchase, what can I do?

Need these phones unlocked so I can connect to itunes and add music.

iPhone 4, iOS 7.1, iCloud Locked

Posted on Aug 29, 2016 9:24 PM

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Q: I purchased 2 iphone 4 from Goodwill.com, they are both icloud locked. I bought them to use to store music. I have the receipt for ... more

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  • by LACAllen,

    LACAllen LACAllen Aug 30, 2016 2:35 PM in response to southerngurl777
    Level 5 (4,537 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 30, 2016 2:35 PM in response to southerngurl777

    Assuming you are being sincere, you're welcome.

     

    We are not cynical here and assume the worst by default. That is again, your interpretation.

     

    What you may see here is an insistence on giving an answer that is accurate. This is not necessarily the answer people came here to get.

     

    That can seem uncaring and cold to some.

     

    Nobody has said in any way that you stole the phones. Every answer is framed around you unknowingly buying phones you can't get unlocked.

     

    Your refusal to accept that is unfortunate, but is not driven by "our" behaviour.

  • by southerngurl777,

    southerngurl777 southerngurl777 Aug 30, 2016 3:15 PM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 30, 2016 3:15 PM in response to Meg St._Clair

    Your advice would better serve you. I came here with the best of intentions, thinking I would ask a question and someone would give me an answer or lead me to someone/someplace that would. I had no idea when I stopped by the "community" that I would automatically become a suspect. I have found that when people ARE BEING unpleasant it is a projection of their mood, feelings, or just a nasty personally. After a previous reply I do understand why you are so suspicious of people, but not everyone with a icloud lock question is a thief. A link brought me here searching for answers, you on the other hand could have totally bypassed my post. My day is going just fine, it has been quite comical. I find it amazing how people can act behind a keyboard. Maybe no one has ever called some of you out on your attitude or maybe you've been condescending for so long you don't realize it. You should really step back and check yourself. All this attitude over a phone. Believe me, life is too short. I wanted you guys to know whether you realize it or not, that in your own little way your comments have negative undertones..............Take it or leave it, just my observation. And Meg, I am done with you and this conversation.

    Enjoy your day as well

  • by LACAllen,

    LACAllen LACAllen Aug 30, 2016 3:23 PM in response to southerngurl777
    Level 5 (4,537 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 30, 2016 3:23 PM in response to southerngurl777

    All this attitude over a phone. Believe me, life is too short.

     

    Kind of our point too.

     

     

    We answered your questions with the best of intentions as well. You really should see it that way.

  • by southerngurl777,

    southerngurl777 southerngurl777 Aug 30, 2016 3:32 PM in response to LACAllen
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 30, 2016 3:32 PM in response to LACAllen

    I am as sincere as can be. I came here with the best intentions. I appreciate all the information you have given. I do understand the phones will not work as ipods. That is ok, they will serve the kids as mini pc's. I didn't pay much for them, so it's not a huge loss for me. I've actually had them for months and occasionally take them out and tinker with them. In my tinkering I was lead to this site and this "community". I thought I would ask a simple question. Whether you know it or recognize it there are those in this "community" that did make slight jabs and insinuations. I chalk the non-recognition up to the fact that you all have been doing this for quite a while and have seen your share of scammers. This is my first time here and that is how I feel. I'm not in denial about the phones, they've never meant that much to me or I would have come here months ago. Thank you again for your help.

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine Aug 30, 2016 8:40 PM in response to southerngurl777
    Level 7 (25,664 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 30, 2016 8:40 PM in response to southerngurl777

    I'm afraid you have misinterpreted the responses here. They may come across as rather short and to the point, but that is because there is nothing else to be said. If the devices are locked with an Activation Lock, they cannot be unlocked by anyone but the person who put the lock on, or someone who knows their Apple ID and password.

     

    The only other way an Activation Lock can be removed is if the person who is locked out is the original purchaser of the device, has the original sales receipt, and can prove their identity to Apple.

     

    When we encounter a post regarding an Activation Locked device that the poster did not originally purchase from Apple or from an Apple Authorized Reseller, then the only remedy for that person is to get a refund if at all possible. We also sometimes recommend that they turn the device into the Police if the situation seems to call for that.

     

    However, as has been pointed out, Privacy Laws prevent Apple or anyone else from attempting to find the original owner of the device. If the original owner wants to get the device back, they have the ability to send a message with a contact number to the device so that the person who finds it, or who unwittingly purchases it, can contact them. If they have not done that, then you are basically stuck with what you have.

     

    Be aware, that if, at any time, the device has an issue and goes into Recovery Mode, you will not be able to use it at all at that point. Until then, enjoy them as much as possible.

     

    I have read through this entire thread, and at no time have seen any snarky or otherwise objectionable remarks. Again, some are short and to the point, but that is because we encounter this particular question multiple times a day, and usually, the posters are quite upset that we have no solution for them.

     

    We are all just users here. We volunteer our time. We do our best to provide accurate and to the point info. I'm really not sure why you think anyone here is not "being nice", nor am I certain why you think that Meg (who is one of the nicest people on this forum, by the way) is being "suspicious" of you, or that any advice she is providing is meant in any other way than friendly.

     

    You, rather, seem to be on the defensive. As you have already said - lesson learned. The information provided here was all provided as explanations as to why no one will track down the original owners, and why there is nothing technical you can do to remove the Activation Lock.

     

    Here's the article on Activation Lock and the article on how to remove it:

     

    ACTIVATION LOCK

     

    Turn off Find My iPhone Activation Lock - Apple Support

     

    Sorry, you felt that the Community treated you badly, but again, after spending hours on posts and reading both questions and responses from many, I am at a loss as to why you think everyone who responded was not doing their best to provide you with the "facts of life" concerning the Activation Lock.

     

    GB

  • by southerngurl777,

    southerngurl777 southerngurl777 Aug 30, 2016 10:54 PM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 30, 2016 10:54 PM in response to gail from maine

      Gail, this has been the most crazy forum I have had the displeasure of inquiring in. Of course you would not see any slight or undertone to your "community". I understand that. Things went horribly wrong very early on with people and the quirky remarks. Maybe I need to break it down; When I purchased the phones, the auction listing clearly stated that the phones were iCloud locked, I still bid because I didn't want to use them as phones. I was under the impression that the lock was for phone services. The auction was ending and I did not have time to research exactly what icloud lock was. After receiving them I started to do a little research here and there, but nothing in depth. Occasionally I run across the phones and start researching again, that is what happened today. While on one of the phones it gave this website as a place for information regarding the lock. That is how I ended up here.

       I asked a question and immediately the foolishness started. Remarks like" You can ask Goodwill for a refund", seriously? Then another person explains that the lock is an anti-thief tool and as a side note tell me he's not saying I stole the phones. Well for me the explanation was enough, there was no need to elaborate on who's calling whom a thief. That is insinuating that I could have possibly stolen the phones. I had already stated where the phones came from. Then all the little jabs at the end of posts about what I need to do, and how I can't deal with the facts of this conversation. And to top it off here comes others inserting themselves into the conversation to defend "the community". I was given the information that I asked for concerning the phones, how I choose to spend my time, my day, and anything else not related to iPhones should be no concern to anyone in "the community". I am sure no one in "the community" will see anything wrong or read anything into any of their fellow "community" members posts and I don't particularly care. I still noticed the little undertones of the posts. As I stated in earlier posts, I chalked it up to you all getting a lot of (as I was told) savory characters. If there is any way to delete my question and all of this madness, please delete it. I really don't need any more community saviors posts, because there is no excuse for bad behavior, especially when you don't even realize you've behaved poorly. I merely stated how I was made to feel and everyone went into defensive mode. Ok, the phones will never work as phones, it's ok I didn't want them for phones.........I get it!

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine Aug 30, 2016 11:10 PM in response to southerngurl777
    Level 7 (25,664 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 30, 2016 11:10 PM in response to southerngurl777

    I see there is no point in attempting to enlighten you, so I leave you to your amazingly negative view of the world and your fellow denizens.

     

    And actually, maligning other posters to this forum who unsuspectingly run into the same exact issue that you have is hardly fair. Most of the people who run into an Activation Lock have been cheated of their money, and are oftentimes devastated because they had saved up so long for that device. So, no, we aren't usually dealing with unsavory characters here....

     

    And, no, we do not explain that it is an Anti-theft mechanism to impugn your character. We explain that it is an Anti-theft mechanism because that is what it is.

     

    And as has been already stated - our first recommendation is to tell the unfortunate recipient of the Activation Locked device to try to get a refund.

     

    So, you took the most common description of the mechanism, and the most common advice that we give when people find themselves in this unfortunate situation, and decided that they were barbs specifically (but in an underhanded way) meant for you.

     

    So, my sympathies to your rather negative view of the world and your insecurities that make you feel that our explanations are in some way meant to make us feel smart or something.

     

    Have a good life,

     

    GB

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Aug 31, 2016 5:25 AM in response to gail from maine
    Level 9 (58,397 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 31, 2016 5:25 AM in response to gail from maine

    Thank you for the kind words, Gail. Our sugar magnolia seems to have made up her mind that we are mean people. I don't see much point in continuing to try to convince her otherwise.

  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Aug 31, 2016 6:46 AM in response to southerngurl777
    Level 8 (37,842 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 31, 2016 6:46 AM in response to southerngurl777

    southerngurl777 wrote:

     

    It's obvious that no one here can give information without and undertone.

    Let me give you a VERY CLEAR ANSWER. The phones are Activation Locked and are useless for any purpose, not even parts. There is nothing you can do with them. Recycle them. There is no point in discussing it further.

  • by southerngurl777,

    southerngurl777 southerngurl777 Aug 31, 2016 6:58 AM in response to Lawrence Finch
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 31, 2016 6:58 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

    Thank you for your chime in. Now let me give you a VERY CLEAR RESPONSE. I understand the fact that the phones are locked, duh!  I provided that tidbit of information in the very first post. And yet again there is the SHOUTING that you saw fit to include in your worthless reply............good day

  • by southerngurl777,

    southerngurl777 southerngurl777 Aug 31, 2016 7:08 AM in response to javaliga
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 31, 2016 7:08 AM in response to javaliga

    Thank you for your kind response. I appreciate it.

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