You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

I can't find the previous own of my iPhone yet it has an activation lock linked to it .what can I do to unlock it please

I can't find the previous owner of my new iPhone 8 and it is linked to his account now it has an activation lock I need your help

Posted on May 31, 2020 3:50 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 31, 2020 3:51 PM

You acquired your device second hand from someone other than Apple or an authorized Apple reseller. The information below explain what has happened. You apparently didn't know to heed the advice given below.

 

"Before you buy/acquire an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from someone other than Apple or an authorized Apple reseller, make sure that the device is erased and no longer linked to the previous owner’s account."

 

And see: Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365. See this heading Check for Activation Lock before you buy/acquire a device from someone else.

 

 What all this means is that there is no way we can help you. We are not authorized to remove the activation lock from any device. And, under your circumstances, Apple support will not help you since you cannot provide proof of ownership that they will consider to be sufficient. You would need and have your purchase receipt for the device from an authorized Apple seller with the device's serial number on it. 

 

All I can suggest is that you try to recovery the needed password (or possibly the purchase price) from the party you acquired the iPhone from. Recovering the password is the only way the phone can be made functional for your use.And getting it from the person you acquired it from is the only way to so. 

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 31, 2020 3:51 PM in response to Muyomba

You acquired your device second hand from someone other than Apple or an authorized Apple reseller. The information below explain what has happened. You apparently didn't know to heed the advice given below.

 

"Before you buy/acquire an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from someone other than Apple or an authorized Apple reseller, make sure that the device is erased and no longer linked to the previous owner’s account."

 

And see: Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365. See this heading Check for Activation Lock before you buy/acquire a device from someone else.

 

 What all this means is that there is no way we can help you. We are not authorized to remove the activation lock from any device. And, under your circumstances, Apple support will not help you since you cannot provide proof of ownership that they will consider to be sufficient. You would need and have your purchase receipt for the device from an authorized Apple seller with the device's serial number on it. 

 

All I can suggest is that you try to recovery the needed password (or possibly the purchase price) from the party you acquired the iPhone from. Recovering the password is the only way the phone can be made functional for your use.And getting it from the person you acquired it from is the only way to so. 

May 31, 2020 3:58 PM in response to Muyomba

I am sorry. That would not be sufficient for Apple Support to justify removing the activation lock. But, you can give support a try:


Get a call from Apple support to help solve your problem using this

link https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0245&symptom_id=23362

 

Apple ID Support https://support.apple.com/apple-id

 

Apple ID account security for country-specific and

region-specific help https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204169

 

Get Support: We’re here to help https://getsupport.apple.com/. Go through the options to find the best support option.

May 31, 2020 4:07 PM in response to Muyomba

Activation Lock is a theft deterrent. It wouldn’t be a deterrent if it were easy to bypass.


It appears you got scammed.


It’s all to common: The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a used iPad/iPhone - Apple Community


Contact the local police, again assuming the seller is no longer available.


The folks at Apple will not unlock a device without an original purchase receipt and matching photo ID, or the matching Apple ID and password, which you don’t have.


I can't find the previous own of my iPhone yet it has an activation lock linked to it .what can I do to unlock it please

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.