Have you ever purchased a used iPhone only to discover that the iCloud account is locked? In other words, your phone needs to remove iCloud Activation Lock. It happens quite frequently and is a big hassle.
The recommended method is to ask the iPhone reseller or previous owner to remove iCloud activation lock by disconnecting the iPhone or another iDevice from its current Apple ID and the iCloud account. But a reseller may charge extra and some even intentionally lock iPhones with iCloud IDs giving them have a reason to charge you more.
It may take those resellers a few days, even weeks to solve this problem and give you the impression that it’s not simple.
Please note that this how-to addresses a feature called Activation Lock, present in iOS 7 and later. It’s designed to prevent anyone else from using a stolen or lost iDevice.
This includes any iPhone models 4S and above, any iPad, or any Apple Watch. Activation Lock is enabled automatically when Find My iPhone is turned on.
Contents
- 1 Know the Previous Owner? Ask Them To Remove the Device
- 2 How-To LookUp iPhone Activation Status UPDATED 2018
- 3 How-To Unlock an iCloud Account on an iPhone Using An Online Activation Lock Removal Service
- 4 What does this type of unlocking service actually do?
- 5 What about a forgotten Apple ID?
- 6 What about WiFi Only iDevices?
- 7 How to Avoid Problems With Activation Lock in the Future?
- 8 Conclusion
- 9 Readers Tips
UPDATE APPLE REMOVES ICLOUD ACTIVATION LOCK STATUS CHECK
Unfortunately, as of 2017, Apple removed its iCloud Activation Lock status check tool from its website. However, there is a workaround for buyers in the market for a secondhand (New-To-You or Used) iDevice. And some people report that Apple will disable Activation Lock for users upon being provided legitimate proof of purchase.
For more information please check out our article on Using Find My iPhone Activation Lock LookUp Tools
Know the Previous Owner? Ask Them To Remove the Device
It’s always best to check before you buy an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from someone that the device is erased and no longer linked to the previous owner’s account.
If the previous owner forgot to sign out of iCloud before selling or giving the iPhone away, then it’s likely the device still has Activation Lock. That means you or the previous owner needs to enter the same Apple ID and password used before you tried to set up the device with your Apple ID.
In the best of all worlds, you can contact the previous owner and have them remove the used iDevice from their account.
They can even do this remotely!
Ask the Previous Owner To Follow This Method
- Sign in to iCloud’s Website with their Apple ID
- Go to Find My iPhone
- Tap All Devices at the top of the screen
- Select the device that you want to remove from iCloud
- If necessary, click Erase (device’s name)
- Click Remove from Account
- Once the previous owner removes the device from their account, turn off the device and then turn it back on to begin the setup process with your Apple ID
How-To LookUp iPhone Activation Status UPDATED 2018
- Visit Apple’s Support website
- Select iPhone from the list of devices
- Click any HARDWARE search category such as Repairs & Physical Damage or Battery, Power, & Charging.
- On the next page, select a particular problem like Screen Damage, Operating System Does Not Respond, or Unable to Power Off
- Tap Send in for Repair.
- Then enter your device’s serial number, IMEI or MEID to check its Activation Lock status
- If Activation Lock (or Find My iPhone) is enabled, you see a message saying Sorry but we can’t create a repair while Find my iPhone is active
Please note: this workaround currently works, but Apple might completely remove it from the website at any time. So if this method no longer works, let us know.
How-To Unlock an iCloud Account on an iPhone Using An Online Activation Lock Removal Service
With the recent Apple changes on its iCloud Activation Lock Tool, the method below may not work–we’ve had no negative reports but things are changing rapidly
This simple guide will walk you through the steps needed to help you unlock a previously used iCloud ID on your current iPhone. We recommend using a third party website to accomplish this.
There are a lot of website out there that basically do this same service–some are legitimate but many are fake. So be careful before you use ANY of these unlocking sites.
For that reason, we don’t recommend any particular site.
Instead, we encourage you to read online reviews and user forums to see if the website actually delivers on its promise to unlock iCloud Activation.
- First, visit your selected website
- You will usually need to fill in the details such as the iPhone model, the IMEI or Serial number
- If you don’t know your IMEI or Serial number
- Go to Settings > General > About
- For iPhone 5 and above and for the original iPhone, the IMEI/MEID is on the back of your device
- Or iPhone 4S and below and iPhone 6S, the IMEI/MEID is on the SIM tray
- Using iTunes, select your device and click Summary
- For the iPhone, click the phone number to see IMEI/MEID
- For iPad cellular model, click Serial Number to see IMEI/MEID
- You can also try dialing *#06# on your phone and your IMEI number will be texted
- If you have a locked iPhone and are unable to use the dialer, press the ‘i’ symbol at the ‘device screen’. This should display the IMEI number.
- IMEI/MEID numbers and serial numbers are also located on the original packing for the iDevice, so if you have access to that packaging take a look at the white label that comes with each iDevice.
- Go to Settings > General > About
What does this type of unlocking service actually do?
This Remove iCloud Activation Lock Service permanently removes the Activation Lock. And the device is removed from the previous owner’s iCloud account.
Then, you activate and set up the device as normal and connect the phone to your own iCloud account.
What about a forgotten Apple ID?
These types of websites can also helpful for anyone who’s forgotten his or her Apple ID and cannot retrieve it in the usual ways.
Please note that these services WILL NOT unlock a phone from any carrier—the phone will remain locked to the original network, if applicable.
Most, if not all, of these websites, charge for this service. So again, be cautious and make sure the service works, with good reviews (not just good reviews on their own site!)
When the service is legitimate, your iPhone is usually unlocked in a couple of days to a couple of weeks and you use your iPhone or another iDevice as normal.
What about WiFi Only iDevices?
This service will work for WiFi Only Devices too, just type in the serial number instead of the IMEI/MEID.
How to Avoid Problems With Activation Lock in the Future?
If activation lock is proving a giant headache for you, it’s best to purchase any used devices from Apple, an authorized Apple reseller, a mobile phone carrier, or from someone you know well, that you’ll have future access and assistance from.
Apple, its resellers, and your mobile phone companies never sell iPhones or any iDevices with activation locked!
Conclusion
Many of us either purchase or inherit used iPhones and other iDevices. Hopefully, the previous owner very thoughtfully prepared their phone for its departure.
But if it arrived to you with iCloud and other credentials clogging its arteries, there are some legitimate methods to help. Be it your own iPhone or someone else’s, be prepared to spend some time and money on this process to get the activation lock and iCloud activation removed.
Readers Tips 
- Try to change the DNS Settings–this often works but it may also not work! Also, you may or may not have full functionality of the phone
- First, restart and choose your country & language
- Go directly to the Wifi setting and tap on the ‘i’ next to the WiFi network you want to connect to
- Delete the current DNS settings and enter these DNS settings (listed by location)
- USA/North America: 104.154.51.7
- Europe: 104.155.28.90
- Asia: 104.155.220.58
- Rest of World: 78.109.17.60 or 78.100.17.60
- Once you enter the DNS choose the Back button
- Select that WiFi network and enter its password
- Tap on the back button again (at the top left corner)and return to that WiFi page
- Hopefully, an iCloud Bypass screen appears–follow on-screen instructions
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I bought an iPhone5 but not sure if it’s iPhone 5/5s or 5c and it’s on Activation Lock.. Really in dire need to unlock it.. Please help..
Thank you!!!..
Hi Gabriel,
If the iPhone has activation lock enabled, you must contact the person you purchased it from and ask them to remove Find My iPhone from it. They can do this remotely by logging into their Apple ID and removing the device there.
Unfortunately, this is really the only way around iCloud Activation Lock these days. Most third-party products don’t work and the previous workarounds have all be eliminated by Apple.
The right way to get lock removal is….
Contact Apple! Customer service will walk you through the steps to get device unlock.
Don’t go to malicious websites that ask you a bunch of info about you and your device.
Some time ago I deleted my other icloud account and didn’t go out in settings.
Now this account staying with me and I can’t get out of him because he’s been deleted.
What can I do?
Can you remove my old icloud from phone settings?
Hi Inese,
If your old Apple ID is still showing up in your device’s settings, try deactivating Find My first.
Go to Settings > Apple ID (at the top) > iCloud > scroll down to Find My and tap it. Toggle both Send the Last Location and Find My off. Enter in that old Apple ID’s password and it should turn off.
After turning off Find My, you should be able to remove your Apple ID completely from your device.
Go to Settings > Apple ID > scroll down and tap Sign Out.
After signing out from this section, go to iMessage, FaceTime, and iTunes & App Store and sign out there as well.
Once you are totally signed out of your Apple ID from all services, restart your device and sign in with that new Apple ID.
Liz
Apple products are BS. If this continue, I predict the death of Apple.
paid for Doctor Unlock Premium iCloud lock removal service in MAY it’s now mid-August and NOT DONE.
Perhaps they know that a single mother on disability pension won’t raise a storm since she already has enough to deal with….
I’d like to upload screenshots of repeated order status tracking.
I was so happy to tell my 15yo daughter that I saved up to pay for the unlock – it’s been over THREE months… it just breaks my heart.
You can’t exactly contact the previous owner because their email address is covered by apple. I recently contacted apple to help me remove the lock and despite providing proof of purchase from ebay and the seller, they said they only accept from authorized resellers. They also refused to communicate with the previous owner about the lock, so if anyone has any suggestions on how to get the previous owners contact details, it would be very helpful.
They have a simple rule that they want an authorization or proof of purchase from the 1st owner.
Hey I bought a iPhone 6 and it’s activated locked to previous owner and not able to get ahold of them wat the fastest way to get it activated
Hi Susan,
Unfortunately, the workarounds for removing activation lock don’t work anymore. Getting a hold of the previous owner is the best way to get that activation lock removed.
Remember, a previous owner can remove this activation lock remotely by logging into their Apple ID–they don’t need to have the device with them.
Liz
Yea sure, and how can you contact the prev. owner, since the e-mail details are hidden?
Hi guys, iPhone is just a waste of time. online unlock websites don’t work.
If your iPhone is locked, just do away with iPhone and go ahead with any android phones….after all it is just the same.
Apparently Apple has these methods shut down now. I’ve tried removing the activation lock on an iPad Air.
Tried the restore six times using various methods and it’s still locked. There’s never any i by the WiFi networks, nothing I can see to change the DNS.
How “green” of Apple to be making more of their products into useless garbage. Yesterday I easily restored a locked Acer Chromebook to usefulness. How? Looked up how to do it, pressed the 4 keys it said then clicked the “Powerwash” button. In a couple of minutes it was clean and ready to setup for its new owner.
WELL, after reading all comments here, I’m hopeless that I can unlock my iphone 7+, such a waste of my time and energy, I wish to donate for doulci but then how many of genuine users will use it… ah, but still i make open announcement whoever unlock my phone will be given 50 bucks.. no scam no con, but genuine offer.
can i do this wihout any cost remove this activastion lock in iphone .
Hi Ashok,
The only way cost free is to access the previous owner and have them remove this device from Find My iPhone and their Apple ID account.
At this time, we suggest this is the only consistent way that works–other methods, like unlocking sites, cost money and work sometimes, and don’t work most times.
Liz
Most iCloud unlock sites are fake and just gather your info. None work that I know of
Ok
it has not worked on my iPhone 4 please help me to unlock the iPhone
You guys are absolutely out of your mind if you think that this is going to work. If there was a way around FMIP Activation Lock, then Apple would constantly be under serious scrutiny from it’s customers and media. Don’t waste your time, just buy an apple product like the rest of us from a legitimate ARS/AASP
Really so having a family member pass and receiving the phone from family member’s spouse, I am now supposed to just toss it out like it wasn’t a legit or legal transaction. the lady just lost her husband and doesn’t remember the password to apple account.
Hi Mark,
Apple may be able to assist with proof of relationship (marriage to the deceased, Power of Attorney documents, or other legal documents) as well as a death certificate.
It’s not an easy process and takes time, but some people had success.
iphone is rubish you’re just wasting time and your money
don’t waste your money on those online services–most do not work
First, it’s only cost a bit and then after 2 days, they came back with, CONGRATULATION! YOU PHONE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR TO BE UNLOCKED.
Please make final payment of a larger amount, so we can release these unlocked to you over the air or plug your phone iTunes.
After 2 days, they said sorry your phone not be able to be unlocked.
This require our PREMIUM TOOLS, which is coming soon, you will be the first to be noticed.
Ya, I’m just looking for a service that ACTUALLY checks the FMI status (clean/lost). Is that something that your ‘PREMIUM TOOLS’ will do? If so, how much?
Yes I went to buy iCloud unlocked removal and it’s cost me $70 and after waiting for freaking 5 days and I receive email that they can’t unloced cost the phone is lost , whatever u said Ken same thing they told me and they can’t refund my $ . I get my iCloud unlocked in IPHONEIMEI.NET AND NOW MY $70 is in the drain and gone coz they said they can unlocked it..what a waste of time and specially my $ this all scammer
they are a scam, I made the first payment then recieved a email saying the wanted the rest of the money. so I paid $70 and the next day i got another email saying they couldn’t take the activation lock off because my iphone 7 plus was on the black list. I emailed back and told them thats not true that i just got off the phone with apple and they said different. well we need proof they said and i sent it. waiting for answer. over a month ago
Sir my phone is ituen software upload my activet id in password has lost it is how open my iPhone
PLZ unlock my apple id
Hi Waris,
Unfortunately, we cannot unlock iCloud Activation or Apple IDs. If you are having trouble with your Apple ID or your iCloud Activation, please contact Apple Customer Support in your home country and speak with a representative directly.
SK
But we should have the apple id and password to bypass apple id, or you can try Eelphone iPhone Unlock to remove aplle id from locked iPhone, I have used it, successfully, but lost all data in iPhone.
I have already submitted my idevice IMEI and made a payment against that. No use in final portal it’s showing OFFLINE EM
Hab eine Apple 4 gekauft aber es braucht eine icloud paswort
Guten Tag Nikola,
Können Sie den ursprünglichen Besitzer kontaktieren?
Sie können abschalten Find My iPhone über iCloud.com – solange sie sich an ihre Apple ID und Passwort erinnern, können sie das iPhone aus ihrem Konto entfernen.
Danka, SK