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support.apple.com/en-gb/TS4515

How do I unlock a iPhone 5S

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.2), Mail 5.1

Posted on Dec 3, 2018 3:47 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 3, 2018 3:50 AM

Does your screen look like this (with the ID being shown not yours)? -

User uploaded file

Did you buy the phone second-hand (used)? If a second-hand iOS device has been 'Activation locked' then only the previous owner can unlock it, either by providing you with the account ID and password, or by removing it from his list of devices (as he should have done before selling it) - please see http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4515


If you are unable to contact him to do this then I'm afraid you will not be able to use the device - there is no other way of unlocking it at all. Apple cannot unlock it for you, nor find the previous owner for you, and neither can the websites that offer to unlock it for a fee: these are scams.


You should if possible return it to wherever you bought it and ask for a refund as in this event the device is completely useless.


If on the other hand you bought it new, and the ID it's asking for is yours but you've forgotten it, go to http://iforgot.apple.com to retrieve the ID and reset the password. Failing that, take the device, the original purchase documents, and some ID to an actual Apple Store (make an appointment) and ask if they can unlock it.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 3, 2018 3:50 AM in response to meloc

Does your screen look like this (with the ID being shown not yours)? -

User uploaded file

Did you buy the phone second-hand (used)? If a second-hand iOS device has been 'Activation locked' then only the previous owner can unlock it, either by providing you with the account ID and password, or by removing it from his list of devices (as he should have done before selling it) - please see http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4515


If you are unable to contact him to do this then I'm afraid you will not be able to use the device - there is no other way of unlocking it at all. Apple cannot unlock it for you, nor find the previous owner for you, and neither can the websites that offer to unlock it for a fee: these are scams.


You should if possible return it to wherever you bought it and ask for a refund as in this event the device is completely useless.


If on the other hand you bought it new, and the ID it's asking for is yours but you've forgotten it, go to http://iforgot.apple.com to retrieve the ID and reset the password. Failing that, take the device, the original purchase documents, and some ID to an actual Apple Store (make an appointment) and ask if they can unlock it.

support.apple.com/en-gb/TS4515

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