Can Apple activation lock really be bypassed?
Ask Apple to bypass the Activation Lock
It's possible that Apple will help erase the device and unlock it for you. You'll need to have some proof that you're the legal owner of the device, and that proof needs to include the device's serial number, IMEI or MEID.
You must be the owner of the device – Proof of ownership documentation is required. Proof of ownership must include the product serial number, IMEI, or MEID. Your data on the device will be erased – If Apple unlocks Activation Lock on your device, all files and data stored on your device will be permanently erased.
It can take up to 30 days for a response. The department who handles activation lock requests are not phone advisors and will contact you back directly thorough the email you provided in the original request for removal.
Even if you erase your device remotely, Activation Lock can continue to deter anyone from reactivating your device without your permission. All you need to do is keep Find My turned on, and remember your Apple ID and password.
- Go to www.iCloud.com/find.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
- At the top, click All Devices.
- Select the device that you want to remove from iCloud.
- Click Remove from Account.
Typically, they claim to charge around $30 to remove Activation Lock.
In most cases, a factory reset does not remove the activation lock from the phone. For example, if the phone is factory reset with the Google account still signed in, the phone will still ask for those credentials once it turns back on.
An Apple store can bypass this, but they are unlikely to do so unless you can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you own the device. Often, they'll just turn you away and say they can't do it. The absolute best way to fix this is to reach out to the previous owner and have them remove the device from their Apple ID.
No. Apple IDs are permanent. They do not disappear because you reset the iPhone. You can continue to use it normally after resetting the iPhone.
- Remove Previous Owner's Apple ID without Password on Your iPhone.
- Remove Previous Owner's Apple ID via the Recovery Mode.
- Put Your iPhone to Recovery Mode.
- The Restoration Process Completed.
- Click Unlock Apple ID from the Homepage.
- Click Unlock Now Button.
- Apple ID Removed Successfully.
How do you get into a locked Apple device?
- If you enter the wrong passcode on your iPhone Lock Screen too many times, an alert lets you know that your iPhone is disabled. ...
- Step 1: Make sure that you have a computer (Mac or PC) ...
- Step 2: Turn off your iPhone. ...
- Step 3: Put your iPhone in recovery mode. ...
- Step 4: Restore your iPhone.
- Ask the Previous Owner to Enter their Apple ID During Set-up. ...
- Ask the Previous Owner to Enter their Old Passcode. ...
- Ask the Previous Owner to Remove the Device from iCloud. ...
- Ask Apple to Remove Activation Lock from the Device.
There is no way to bypass the activation lock on an iOS device without the Apple ID.
If you're trying to remove someone else's activation lock, it's ilegal no matter what. As long as that “someone else” doesn't remove the lock themselves, it's basically you in possession of stolen property.
- Do one of the following: ...
- Select Account Recovery, add a recovery contact, then authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, a passcode or password.
- If you're in a Family Sharing group, the members of the group are recommended. ...
- If you select a family member, they're added automatically.
References
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