Will a hard reset 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.
- 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.
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.
It is possible to factory reset an iCloud locked iPhone.
The factory reset will wipe and remove all the data and settings on the Apple device. It is worth noting that the factory reset will not remove the iCloud Activation Lock.
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.
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.
Be patient, it can take 2 weeks or more.
It could take a few weeks.
Typically, they claim to charge around $30 to remove Activation Lock.
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.
Can I unlock an iPhone I found?
If you find a lost iPhone, Activation Lock will prevent you from using it if it's protected by Apple's Find My service. It's essentially a paperweight for as long as you have it in your possession. So don't expect to use an iPhone you've found.
If you lose your device and remotely erase it, Activation Lock remains on. Your Apple ID and password are required to reactivate the device. If you reset your device and erase all content and settings, Activation Lock is turned off.
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.
Open the Settings app and click on your profile name or image. Click on "View Apple ID" on the window that will pop up. If prompted for the password, enter it. Select "Remove This Device" and enter your Apple ID and password on the next screen.
If your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or Apple Watch is lost or stolen, you can erase it in Find Devices on iCloud.com. To sign in to Find Devices, go to icloud.com/find.
- On your iPhone, open Settings > iTunes & App Stores.
- Click on your Apple ID, then choose the Sign Out option. The Apple ID will be removed.
From your device's Lock Screen, try entering your passcode several times until it asks you to try again later. When you can, repeat this action until you see the Erase iPhone/iPad option in the bottom corner of the screen. Tap Erase iPhone/iPad, then tap Erase iPhone/iPad again to confirm.
Can a Stolen iPhone Be Unlocked? Normally, someone cannot unlock your iPhone without a passcode. However, they can factory reset your iPhone and unlock it using the above method or some iPhone unlocking tools. Also, it is possible to unlock a found iPhone with the same methods.
THE ANSWER
No, the police can't require you to unlock your phone without a search warrant.
But Apple's 'Find My' network makes it nearly impossible for a stolen device to be used by someone else. That's because the iPhone or any other Apple device is linked to a user's Apple ID and without access to this, the device is practically unusable for a thief.
Will a factory reset remove my 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.
No. Factory reset of iPhone doesn?t delete your information from iCloud or iTunes backup.
If you answered all the questions correctly including what credit card was registered with the account it takes a few days. If it's more complicated than that it will take 30 days as mine did. If you try to log into the Apple ID from another device it will tell you how much longer you have to wait.
Interestingly, one of the security features of AirPods gen 3 and AirPods Pro (AirPods Max too) can also cause a problem for refurbished or used AirPods since the standard factory reset process does not remove the associated AirPods Apple ID.
- Sign in to iCloud.com with their Apple ID.
- Go to Find My iPhone.
- Click All Devices at the top of the screen.
- Select the device that you want to remove from iCloud.
- If necessary, click Erase [device].
- Click Remove from Account.
- Navigate to icloud.com/#find.
- Click “Find my iPhone”.
- Enter your Apple ID.
- Choose your iPhone from the All Devices list and click Erase iPhone.
- All the data on your lost or stolen iPhone will now be erased.
Delete your iCloud account including your Apple ID
If this is what you want, follow these steps: Step 1: Sign in on the Apple Privacy Homepage with your Apple ID. Step 2: Under “Manage your data” select “Delete your account”. Step 3: Select a reason for deleting your account and choose “Continue”.
Yes you can. Simply log into your account and select Request To Deactivate Your Account. Then just follow the steps on screen to deactivate your account.
If someone gets your phone and is able to unlock it, your personal data, such as Apple Pay and health data, is up for grabs. That's why it's important to erase your iPhone as soon as you suspect it has been stolen. Luckily, you can do this remotely. First, go to Find My iPhone on iCloud.com and sign in.
If you can't remember/gain access to the apple id that paired the watch to the phone. Take the watch and it's receipt along with some photo id and any other proof of ownership to an Apple Store and request that they remove the Activation Lock for you.
References
- https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/mobile-phones/1406925/how-to-factory-reset-your-iphone
- https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/erase-a-device-mmfc0ef36f/icloud
- https://www.trustedreviews.com/how-to/how-to-delete-an-icloud-account-4254274
- https://www.slashgear.com/933585/heres-why-you-probably-shouldnt-jailbreak-your-apple-watch/
- https://www.netchimp.co.uk/webdesign/unlock-iphone/can-you-factory-reset-icloud-locked-iphone/
- https://help.ting.com/hc/en-us/articles/205666168-Removing-your-Android-activation-lock
- https://www.mobitrix.com/apple-support/delete-apple-id-from-previous-owner.html
- https://www.rd.com/article/stolen-iphone/
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8269219
- https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT208855
- https://appletoolbox.com/used-iphone-remove-icloud-activation-lock/
- https://www.tenorshare.com/icloud-tips/unlock-icloud-activation-lock-without-apple-id.html
- https://www.quora.com/Is-it-legal-to-use-third-party-apps-to-bypass-Apples-activation-lock
- https://9to5mac.com/2021/11/11/remove-activation-lock-iphone/
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7775664
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201441
- https://www.imobie.com/iphone-unlocker/reset-apple-watch-without-apple-id.htm
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204306
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253798494
- https://itoolab.com/unlock/how-to-remove-icloud-activation-lock-without-password/
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205189
- https://www.easeus.com/iphone-unlocker/how-to-jailbreak-an-icloud-locked-iphone.html
- https://www.hotspotshield.com/blog/6-security-questions-about-the-apple-watch/
- https://9to5mac.com/2022/12/26/reset-airpods/
- https://www.mobitrix.com/apple-support/delete-apple-id-without-password.html
- https://www.easeus.com/iphone-unlocker/remove-activation-lock-without-apple-id.html
- https://www.quora.com/How-long-does-Apple-Activation-Lock-support-request-take-Its-already-been-7-days-since-I-sent-them-everything-does-this-mean-they-are-working-on-removing-it
- https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/mobile-tabs/lost-your-iphone-heres-why-your-apple-id-could-also-be-at-risk-7618096/
- https://www.mobitrix.com/apple-support/how-to-remove-activation-lock-without-previous-owner.html
- https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/sell-give-away-or-protect-a-lost-apple-watch-apdd3f9d7bc6/watchos
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204568
- https://support.apple.com/en-afri/HT205189
- https://www.macworld.com/article/229253/how-to-remove-a-previous-owner-s-apple-id-from-a-used-iphone-ipad-or-ipod-touch.html
- https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/found-lost-or-stolen-iphone/
- https://www.tenorshare.com/applewatch-tips/how-to-remove-activation-lock-on-apple-watch-without-apple-id.html
- https://support.apple.com/guide/findmy-mac/activation-lock-and-find-my-on-mac-fmm2dd428a48/mac
- https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/deployment/depf4ab94ef1/web
- https://support.apple.com/guide/personal-safety/if-you-get-locked-out-of-your-device-ipsd1d39db18/web
- https://www.imobie.com/iphone-unlocker/unlock-a-stolen-iphone.htm
- https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/erase-reset-locked-iphone/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/activation-lock
- https://www.imobie.com/iphone-unlocker/remove-someone-else-s-apple-id-without-password.htm
- https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/tools/delete-icloud-account/
- https://www.imobie.com/icloud-unlock/bypass-apple-watch-activation-lock.htm
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8532102
- https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/courts/police-law-enforcement-cannot-force-you-to-unlock-search-phone-without-warrant-permission/536-0c126151-ea40-435d-b52c-9fb575da94b0
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8016437
- https://www.stellarinfo.com/blog/does-factory-reset-deletes-everything-on-iphone/
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253269089
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7365486
- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253425999