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Released November 4, 2017. Model A1865, A1901. Available as GSM or CDMA / 64 or 256 GB / Silver or Space Gray. (Pronounced the same as "iPhone 10.")

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Will changing the motherboard remove iCloud lock?

My dad forgot his iCloud password and now the iPhone is locked , is an iPhone x

I was wondering if I change the motherboard the iPhone will be unlock (NEW)? I need your opinion please

18 Comments

Mine is an iphon 7

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I need remove my icloud

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I need remove my icloud

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I need remove my icloud

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terima kasih kerana apple id ini

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4 Answers

Chosen Solution

If you change the logic board with a other logic board that is iCloud free it is ok. The iCloud lock is in the logic board.

9 Comments:

Thank you for your help I appreciate that

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Dude just call Apple and they’ll help him reset his iCloud password for free.. why buy a several hundred dollar part if he owns the phone..?

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@Jeff Bowles Unless you have the original POP you're SOL.

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Thank you for your help I appreciate that

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@nick nope, just need to pass account security

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You actually may be in a better situation than most people. Depending on how much he remembers (or if he can reset the password), he can get the phone working again. If that’s not the case or it actually came from eBay/Craigslist/OfferUp/Mercari, read on. However, if you have proof of purchase from an authorized reseller Apple will remove the lock.

Generally speaking, the cost of a replacement board is about as much as an intact iPhone. Since you’re getting a new phone by replacing the board anyway since the IMEI is going to be completely different (plus the downside of the SIM tray IMEI not matching, so nope can’t verify the IMEI# with the tray anymore and give buyers a red flag the board is not original) often unless you can strip it of parts, you’re usually better off dumping these iCloud phones “as-is” to offset the replacement cost, sadly. Let's just leave it at he won't forget ever again.

The other problem is board replacements are a process; with the FaceID camera being paired on these (almost everything is on newer phones like the 12), you will have a few errors for non-matching parts and lose things like TrueTone and FaceID. You need most of the phone to match now to avoid pairing issues, including the display to pull this off without errors.
In addition, there's a 2nd sneaky problem in how we buy phones now: EIP balances :-(. Some carriers (like T-Mobile) are notorious for giving debtors a grace period (usually 60 days) where they dump the phone and not pay, so all you have in your hand is a blacklisted phone with bad debt! AT&T/Verizon block them immediately if you leave unless you pay them off so it's less of a problem and mostly a T-Mobile problem. A lot of these phones are now diseased with "financed" IMEI#s nowadays! Without having it to check, you can't quickly use it to scare the deadbeats off. Other carriers like Xfinity and Spectrum mobile (ISP subsidiaries operating as MVNOs, so non-CTIA carriers) refuse to unlock for non-customers who buy a clean phone used as well and require the customer to request it rather than automatically do it.

However, while this means a phone new enough may be assumed to be financed (especially if it's locked) you can take home a phone like a Pixel 6a with a carrier lock and a clean IMEI# CHEAP due to the high risk. I did this with a Pixel 6a I intended to use as a PARTS DONOR (so the bar was low). I paid the $100 troll toll to T-Mobile after setting up a temporary number and carrier unlocked it. However, do not seek these out, it's a (kind of) painful process. If the phone has a balance, they won't do it and will not help you clear it up. ALL OF THESE BAD PHONES GET BLACKLISTED WITH TIME, OR RESTRICTED TO THE ORIGINAL BUYER. In general, beyond parts devices, it's better to avoid these phones; do not walk, RUN.
Is it still worth the gamble when I can get the same phone unlocked (the only difference on iPhones is the phone is given a T-Mobile model number but is basically the same phone with the same GSM+CDMA radio (outside of the iPhone 7), and for Pixels the factory Pixel ROM defaults to the T-Mobile APN but can be overridden (unless the partner networks are masked on MVNOs or it's AT&T based with no T-Mobile deals)? NO.
NOTE: They do "flag" unlocked phones as "non-T-Mobile devices" because you own them and they do not have you by a software lock (this is not unique; all 3 do this) and have zero influence on the phone (which will be fine, it's the same device as theirs these days without their garbage or prioritized APNs, yet it doesn't matter because the unlocked Pixel 7 or iPhone picks up the APN without issue). They do this to scare people, so telling them shuts them down.
Example with Apple: iPhone 14 T-Mobile is the same phone as the Apple Store version with a SIM lock and biased APN. For Pixels, they change the ROM on the carrier version to initially lock it, but use the same boards. Samsung and others are usually the same board but with different ROMS (may or may not be reflashable; U1=Unlocked, 1U=lockable; factory in most cases). Why would you buy a locked phone when shutting them down is enough?

TRANSPARENCY: Yes, I did it as a one-time exception to my post-AT&T nightmare where I cut off ANYTHING with a carrier lock and consider it a disqualifier without a deep discount for a T-Mo P6a. It's a cat-and-mouse game where the cat (carrier) has laser scopes bought from Govdeals the ATF had custom calibrated as surplus, and you're the mouse. It's high risk with low rewards (and lots of pain). It feels intentional on their part to kill the used market and sadly, they won :-(. I'm out of this game because of the extreme risks.

MAJOR new snag for T-Mo phones: Now T-Mo may expect real usage so you may need to use it as a real phone or make a few calls on it every day for a number you DO NOT want to follow you unless you want to run two phones which is probably the reason: Hook the number to the person unlocking the phone to make it hard to get rid of :-(. I kept mine so I can play around with other phones and have service on it.

Since the board swap basically makes it a new phone and you’re probably going to deal with the same issue, you’re better off just finding a clean phone and replacing the entire thing.

11 Comments:

Thank you very much for your help

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My dad bought this iphone from a reseller on Facebook like 1year ago

So if I replace the motherboard the iPhone will be unlock

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@mohammed.elgamoussi Technically yes, but the value proposition isn't there due to the gamble of if it has device payments left or the same iCloud issues.

Apple isn't going to help you since it came from a 3rd party.

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Yesterday I bought an iPhone X motherboard for 200$ I think it's a steal

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@mohammed.elgamoussi Pray it isn't part of a carrier payment plan or iCloud locked.

It's a steal until you find out there's an activation lock or debt associated with the IMEI and you're stuck with a dead phone and a dead board - AND it's going to happen in the worst possible situation like being blocked at work. The reason we recommend a new/used phone with iCloud locks is and Apple did their homework to the point iCloud is truly a waste of time to repair. You can get a Xr or Xs and get a modest upgrade if you want it, or buy another X. Even a SE2 is an excellent upgrade if you can't buy the flagship since it's an iPhone 11 in a 8 body.

I know it hurts to see a phone die that's legally clear, but Apple won't help and you have to win the lottery to get a truly clean board. It's just one of those issues. It will live on in the form of your old display in someone else's phone and a board repair experience for someone learning. It's not just iCloud - it's paid off, not paid off or outright purchase status MATTERS.

I am telling you the exact same thing I would even tell a good friend who got one of these - return it or dump it as-is and get as much as you can for it. Do not waste a second on a repair attempt that will be in vein.

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Yes, iCloud lock is tied to the individual motherboard

Me icloud still no work

7 Comments:

@erikbfd, you'll have to clarify your statement. Are you saying you changed out the motherboard but your iCloud still doesn't work, or are you asking something else entirely?

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Yes icloud is no open

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I paid for you to unlock the phone, but the icloud is still there, what should I do

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@erikbfd iFixit does not now and has never offered iCloud removal services. There is a scam on Facebook that I ran across that appears to be using the iFixit name but I assure you they have nothing to do with iFixit.com. I suggest you contact your credit card company or whatever payment method you used and dispute the charge because I can guarantee it's a scam designed solely to get your money and will never unlock your iCloud.

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@erikbfd - As Jerry stated iFixit (this iFixit) does not offer such a service.

We help people fix their systems in this Blog and the iFixit Store sells the tools and physical parts to support that effort. We (this iFixit) never offered such a service and it’s not even possible!

Sadly, that other iFixit person scammed you! You will need to talk to your bank or credit card to regain your funds if you can.

Here’s a set of useful links that might help you:

iFixit - Understanding iCloud Lock

Apple - How to remove Activation Lock

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