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Cannot bypass Activation Lock on second-hand iPhone

Subject: Request for Help With iPhone Activation Lock


Hello Apple Support Team,


I purchased a second-hand iPhone and recently encountered the “iPhone Locked to Owner” Activation Lock screen. The Apple Account shown on the screen does not belong to me.


I had been using this phone for approximately two years, and I would like your help resolving this issue. Unfortunately, I am unable to contact the previous owner.


Could you please guide me through the official process for resolving the Activation Lock? I can provide the device details and any proof of purchase I have available.


Thank you for your assistance.


Regards

8 replies

ravnit117 wrote:
Please help me I m already invest 30000 inr

This is unfortunate, but Apple will NOT help you, unless you are in possession of the ORIGINAL purchase receipt from Apple or an Apple Authorized Seller, which clearly shows the serial number on the receipt. As you purchased a used iPhone, you most likely don't have that. The phone you purchased was NOT prepared properly for a new user. If you know the person who set up the phone originally, you need to contact them and ask them to remove the phone from their account. If you don't know or can't find them, you now own a nice paperweight in the shape of an iPhone you can never use again. See what should have been done on the phone before you bought it --> What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support.


Read this about buying used devices --> The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community


Hello,


This is a user to user forum, you are not addressing Apple Support here.


There is no way to resolve Activation Lock, it is a security measure and cannot be defeated, disabled or bypassed in any way. The only way to encounter Activation Lock is if the device was restored to factory settings without loggin off of the account in Settings.


Apple will not help you unless you can provide the original sales receipt from Apple or an Authorized reseller.


Encountering Activation Lock after 2 years of use, seems odd, as it suggests the iPhone was kept under the orignal owner's Apple Account while you used it. Did you never verify the iPhone was reset to factory settings or at the very least signed out of the previous owner's Apple Account in Settings ➜ Account?


Seems kind of strange you would use an iPhone for 2 years with someone else's account logged in where you would see said account clearly every day.


For more details see the following support document.

click here ➜ How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support




There isn't one for secondhand units. It's an anti-theft measure.


For reference, the people on these boards are mostly other customers, not Apple Support.


(265364)

Please help me I m already invest 30000 inr


Unfortunately, you did not invest this money. You gambled this money.


Ask the seller to refund your money.

But before 2 year later my Apple ID login in this iPhone but still by mistake i will reset iPhone please help

Please help me I m already invest 30000 inr

No one can help you. That second hand phone is useless. Recycle it properly.

You also bought an obsolete phone in the iphone 5. It is no loss, it would not activate even if you freed it of the lock.