It is next to impossible to remove activation lock from the latest iPhones such as iPhone 12, iPhone 11, etc. But if you are using an older iPhone (iPhone 5s to iPhone X), then there are some paid third-party paid applications that can help you remove the icloud activation lock. They first jailbreak your iPhone and then unlock it.
My father bought a used iPhone 7 Plus from OLX (it is an Indian classified site similar to Craigslist) at a throw away price. He showed me the phone and asked me to create a new Apple ID so that he can start using the device. His happiness vanished as soon as I told him that he cannot use the device as it has the activation lock set by the previous owner. We contacted the seller and he asked us to pay INR 12,000 (about USD 160) which we denied to pay for obvious reasons. He learned the lesson hard way!
I found many online services claiming to unlock any iOS device for as low as $19. I didn’t use them because they looked too seedy. They claimed that you will be able to use all the services including the call, message and cellular data function, and that made me little suspicious. Later, I found about a paid third-party desktop application as mentioned in this guide, and it did remove the activation lock from my iPhone 7 Plus. Someone recommended it on the Reddit. I tried but I couldn’t find that post on Reddit. Anyway, I paid $30 for the app. I downloaded it on my Macbook Pro (it is available for windows too), and it first asked me to jailbreak my iPhone 7 Plus and then removed the lock from my iPhone. I wouldn’t say that the whole process was quite easy. It was complicated, but I managed it somehow. My iPhone turns on, and it no longer asks me to enter previous owner Apple ID and password. I can also download the apps over Wifi and make audio and videos calls using apps like WhatsApp messenger. Now here’s what I cannot do:
- I can no longer make phone calls and send text messages/imessages.
- I cannot login to iCloud to backup my data.
- It is also not possible to use the cellular data on my iPhone 7 Plus.
- I cannot factory reset my iPhone . After a factory reset, it will be locked again and I have to use the same tool to unlock it.
In short, I’m using it as an iPod touch. I guess it is still better than nothing. In a nutshell, it is extremely difficult to remove the icloud activation lock from an iOS device without the password. You iPhone won’t function as normal even if you manage to unlock it someone.
5 Comments
Apple added the Activation Lock to iOS 7 to combat the rampant unauthorized reselling of lost/stolen devices. There is no way around this lockout your only options are to contact the person you bought it from and get (1) the Apple ID login credentials, or (2) your money back. If you bought it from an honest/legitimate seller, theyll help you out. If you bought a stolen device from a scumbag, you are simply SOL, and you now own a pretty, albeit expensive, paperweight.
I love the Activation Lock concept, but it appears to be punishing the unwitting buyer much more than the scumbag thief.
When buying a device from anyone other than a legitimate retailer (Apple, wireless service provider, or big box store), make the seller meet you at your wireless provider's store and stay with you through the activation process. That alone will scare off most ne'er-do-wells. Otherwise, you may be throwing your money into a black hole.
by Jordan Lazaroff
@Mujahid Ali I’m sorry dude, there’s no jailbreak because the iPhone XR has the a12 processor which fixed the jailbreak.
by bryanhillinfo
I tried for years many methods and paying online sites only to wait months for no result. Unless you work at apple it simply cannot be done without previous owners iCloud password. Do not waste your time trying to remove iCloud lock.
by Aaron Fielding
@Daniels Agafonovs depends if you can prove to apple that it was yours. For example, they will ask you for the birthdate of the iCloud account that is locked to that device. They will also ask for cell phone bills with that devices’s IMEI number
by bryanhillinfo
@Hayley Mc Oof, I don’t think there’s anything you can do except for muck in your sorrows or try to find that person and try to get your money back because the iPhone XR, XS and XSMax all have the A12 chip which patched the previous iCloud unlock methods.
by bryanhillinfo