someone locked my phone

You need to know the 4 or 6 digit code to unlock it and if you don't have this code, only Apple can unlock it.

We are referring to an attempt to compromise an account, not a device.

And fyi, a forgotten 4/6 digit iOS device passcode can be removed within 15-20 minutes using a computer with iTunes. It is not a safeguard for an Apple account.

I don't know for an iOS device, you are certainly right, but with a Mac you have to take your Mac to an AppleStore or Apple Service Provider to have it unlocked.

With "old" Macs (before 2012) you could bypass a firmware lock code by resetting the PRam (you only had to modify the Ram configuration and press cmd-alt-PR while powering it on), but Apple modified this and it's no more possible (even with these old Macs as far as the firmware update has been applied)

I have enabled firmware password, when I try to enter in Recovery Mode it asks for firmware password, I enter it and then it asks for 4 pin digit. Also the macbook shows in my icloud account but I can't unlock it. I don't have proof of ownership but the macbook is present in my iCloud account and I know the firmware password.

scoopy987 wrote:

I have enabled firmware password, when I try to enter in Recovery Mode it asks for firmware password, I enter it and then it asks for 4 pin digit. Also the macbook shows in my icloud account but I can't unlock it. I don't have proof of ownership but the macbook is present in my iCloud account and I know the firmware password.

As your post is not related to the subject of this thread, in fact is not a question about an iPhone, you'll get more and better help by starting your own post in the correct Mac forum.

Same here. Some ******** have locked my iPad and are trying to get money out of me to get hold of the passcode that they've set up on it. This is ridiculous and I can't get a genius appointment either.

This happened to two people I know today's. Unfortunately, two factor didn't help here. Despite having multiple trusted devices and two factor turned on, find my phone on the web apparently allowed all the devices to registered as "lost" with just a password. Serious security flaw, if there are multiple trusted devices a passcode should still be required to report a lost device or at least a call to apple if you're wanting to report multiple devices lost. This scam is simply annoying for an iDevice, but it is deadly for newer Macbook as a trip to an Apple Store is in our future.

Just wanted to add my two cents... I too have had some pillock from "apprestore05@gmx.com" lock both of my Macs, it's good to know the same person has done it to others. I can also assure everyone that this was not due to a phishing email or anything of the sort.

However, I have bad news. Basically, I've had my case escalated and then escalated some more with Apple and they are refusing to unlock my Macs without proof of purchase. I don't have proof of purchase because both of my Macs are used and have been owned by me for several years!

Has anyone had any luck with this? We might have more impact if we all have the same issue.

Log in to Find my IPhone on your phone and you might see your Macs on there. You can remotely turn off lost mode from there but if they've put a passcode on it you still won't be able to get in so you'll need to erase the Macs which gets rid of the passcode on it so you can get back in. That's what I did with my iPad mini and it worked.

You are mistaken. The iCloud lock is at a firmware level, reformatting will only make our lives much harder, so please don't suggest that to people! In fact, it's at a point where I and I'm sure the others who this has effected cannot even boot into recovery mode due to the passcode.

Correct, the firmware password (MAC) is set on the EFI chip. That means that you cannot simply reset this. In order to do this you must remove the EFI chip and reprogram the EFI chip. That is what Apple is also doing when you have this problem.

That's what i must do due to the fact that my MacBook Air has locked as well. I do not have the knowledge nor the tools to do this, so my only solution is to bring my MacBook to Apple.

Due to the bypass of the 2step Auth in icloud you can easily manage your devices via the Find my iPhone button below the 2step Auth screen (as long as you don't have an PinLock protected device). Personally i think this is more dangerously than see my personal information. Because the hacker can see your location and control your devices.

In the end I had to take my mac to the apple store and they unlocked it for me free of charge. It took about an hour.

Originally I didn't have proof of purchase, so I called apple and logged it as a call and spoke to them about it. Eventually they agreed that I only had to take I.D. Don't know if this would have worked as i then managed to find proof of purchase. (although they didn't really check this)

i suggest you call them up and tell them that you don't have this and see what alternatives they have. If you bought it on a credit card then see if you have that statement

i just went through this today-- i called apple support and they walked me through it. log into icloud on the computer and find your device (must be turned on) and then turn off lost mode. then change icloud passwords and erase your phone and reboot/restore it

I am having this problem right now but won't be able to head to any apple store until next Tuesday.

I talked to 2 Apple support on the phone and tried to erase my phone and you name it. They ended up asking me to reset my phone which I can't because I have too many memorable photos in there and certain confidential stuff ( I know that doesn't make sense to not do regular back up but sigh* 😟 ).
Can anyone tell me will Apple unlock my phone ( not resetting it though ) if I can provide all the proof of purchase?
I have my receipt and a photo of my phone package ( it's back in my hometown and that's the best I can do, or else, I have to wait for another month to get the case ).

I desperately just want all my stuff back, I don't even care if they have to break my phone T^T

I had similar issue. I'd bought laptop new from a reseller 6 years ago. Had the box still but no receipt. Apple did the 'can't do anything without proof of purchase' thing. They did supply me with purchase date for me to chase reseller. Reseller had gone broke, been sold, reopened and new systems...didn't have purchase in current system. But...with the box...the date...and the fact I had proof of ID and other registered devices the reseller said 'leave it with us...we'll have to wipe and restore from a backup' (luckily I had a 1 day old Time Machine backup on an external hard drive).

They were quite vague on what they did to get it back, but one of their tech nerds said 'we deal with catastrophic hardware failures and repairing and rebuilding Mac machines...we've got a few tools of the trade up our sleeve to get past this'.

Cost me $99, a day off work and heals of stress

I have never set any passcode for my phone and I've changed my icloud password right I after I got hacked.
I erased my device with the help of the Apple support on the phone but she said the phone was still "occupied" or sth on her screen. She then recommended a reset which I couldn't do ( cuz I really really want my stuff back ).

I couldn't turn off anything through Icloud as well and that's why I wanted to know if Apple can unlock it with my proof of purchase.