Transfer failed and ended up with Activation lock, Even with proof of purchase activation lock not removed

Transferring from iPhone X to 16 pro max got Success and Transferring data from iPhone 7plus to iPhone X got interrupted due to call received and data transfer reinitiated data transfer and ended in Activation Lock. Tried with all my remembering email and restore apple software. Unfortunately not unlocked. Hence submitted proof of invoice for unlocking to apple support where they rejected stating needed more details like receipt or invoice. I wonder when I already submitted invoice which has my name on it and all required details still apple support team rejected like bot stating default message needed additional info invoice or receipt.

Earlier iPhone models

Posted on Nov 6, 2025 6:13 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 8, 2025 4:42 AM

JerrySwat wrote:

Yep this can be user to user forum. However, I can see still official Apple support team can answer for my queries since their product only issue is there.


Apple's official Activation Lock support people did answer you – through the channels they normally use for responding to Activation Lock support requests. They sad that whatever you submitted (such as an invoice for purchase of AppleCare+ was not sufficient proof of ownership of the phone.


You tell us that "Am invoice of purchase iPhone perhaps from Apple unauthorized seller." If the receipt for the phone is from an unauthorized seller, I would expect Apple to reject an Activation Lock support request. Anyone with a stolen iPhone could make up a receipt from some unknown seller, and if Apple accepted those receipts as sufficient to remove the lock, it would undermine Activation Lock's theft deterrent value.


You are gong to have to satisfy Apple; remember the credentials you used to lock the phone – or, if you can't, live with a locked phone.


45 replies

Nov 10, 2025 8:45 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

I believe that this is an official forum from Apple, where users like us to connect and discuss. Due to that only to I would like to highlight to the apple users on this issue and like me many users faced this issue and for that they received Apple's bot like response.


FYI am not only using AppleCare coverage invoice, that is additional document along with my purchase invoice of iphone X. So without knowing full details do not assume like denial is valid and not clear why do not have the original purchase receipt etc.

Nov 10, 2025 8:51 AM in response to Limnos

In the begining itself I made clear to you and do not try to give random answers. Everyone knows selling device does not automatically transfer coverage too. Here the topic is different and bringing another angle to discussion I request to avoid it from your end.


I hope English is your native language if you are not clear then kindly do not reply or kindly let me know which language you are fine and I wil try to make you clear with that basic language.

Nov 10, 2025 8:59 AM in response to shoeluvr13

I bought in Dubai and I do have original purchase receipt. Due to that only am seeking Apple response here since in their official support am always getting bot like response. When I tried any other user faced issue like this I came across plenty of users faced similar issue and response.


In this forum if Apple official confirms with bot like response then I can that to next further level.


Even in offical support page of support for unlocking your device they mentioned about info below and here also Apple Official nowhere mentioned invoice only taken as proof ownership and nowhere mentioned that invoice also from only Apple. That shows even Apple Authorized or third party seller invoice still valid if it has serial number, IMEI or MEID. In my case inovice has all details like Name, Seller Tax ID, phone Model, Serial, IMEI, Date of Purchase, Mode of Payment etc.


"

You must be the owner of the device.

Apple may require proof of purchase. Proof of ownership must include the product serial number, IMEI or MEID.

"


Nov 10, 2025 10:02 AM in response to Servant of Cats

I guess now only you it got clear since beginning am never said this is official Apple Support. I was highlighting official Apple Support will get to know about this discussion and am looking for their answers. In their Official Apple Support they responding like bot and as end user we can respond back to them for justification for denial. Due to that I brought the issue to common user forum.

Nov 10, 2025 10:05 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Your previous response clearly indicates you are not reading it fully with random info and to divert the topic simply you are pitching in. In the screenshot also you taken only last point whereas there are remaining four points. In this mean are you confirming onbehalf of Apple that even valid documents “Apple reserves the right to refuse or cancel any request for Activation Lock support.” Which indirectly making user to stop using phone and go for purchasing new phone to increase their sales target.

Nov 10, 2025 6:53 PM in response to shoeluvr13

As I mentioned earlier response to your query it was from third party seller and Am the first owner, it’s brand new I only opened the sealed box. They will have strict policy here am not denying it but doesn’t mean they have to deny the request for valid proofs. In addition there is no way to contact back the Apple Support of Activation Unlock Team they will send bot kind of response to the Activation Unlock Request. When I contacted Apple Support Officials via call they also confirmed even them can’t reach to their Official Apple Support Activation Unlock Team to get the reason for denial or justification. Due to that only I brought the issue in this forum.

Nov 11, 2025 12:34 AM in response to Servant of Cats

I suggest don’t conclude yourself am not consistent from day 1 am referring Activation unlock Apple Official support can’t be contacted back they give bot like response for unlock request.


Apple officially several teams like sales, support for repair, inquiry and support for Activation Unlock. As per there official page contacted the Activation Unlock support team by filling the required info in there webpage and shared multiple proofs and their response is like bot which I shared earlier. Since am not able contact back them requesting justification and clarification reached to Apple support team of repair and inquiries they checked all my proof via call with screen sharing enabled and they confirmed all given proof legitimate not sure why their Activation Unlock team rejecting the request and they also stated unfortunately they also can’t reach them to get the exact reason.


If you seem my initial info I clearly mentioned second time trying of data transfer only shown activation lock. When I did first time there is no issue transfer started successfully but due to interruption during transfer retry initiated then ended up with issue.

Nov 11, 2025 12:41 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Go through topic properly else leave it. Don’t jump in with assumption. I clearly mentioned during the initial discussion transfer was interrupted and retry ended up this issue. Due to that looking for a apple activation unlock support.

First when data transfer it was my id due to transfer started successfully. When retry initiated due to interruption that time Id shown as default one like s….@e….


Its like if you go for apple login page by default in the username text box default example id given like someone@expamle.com it’s shown. Hence I ended up in contacting Apple else I would used my Apple ID itself and there is no situation for me to come here in this forum.

Nov 11, 2025 7:22 AM in response to JerrySwat

Maybe there’s a language barrier and that’s why you’re not fully answering what I asked. At this point, I can only assume when you say “third-party seller” that means it was not an authorized Apple reseller. From experience Apple devices that were purchased from a non-authorized reseller do not qualify for activation lock removal.


You also keep arguing with three people who are very experienced and knowledgeable users within this form. If you want this to be available for others in similar situations to see you need to stop arguing because you are muddying the valid answers those same people need to read. You don’t know who or how the process works on Apple’s end and like most companies there are certain teams that have no need to speak to the customers directly.


I understand you don’t like it. Whether it not you like or agree with it doesn’t matter. You’ve gotten your answer and just need to move on.

Nov 11, 2025 11:34 AM in response to JerrySwat

I really don't know how it can be more clear. Apple does not participate here for providing support to any of your questions. You are not going to get a response from Apple, but there are many users who can provide a response based on their experience. Apple does participate to ensure posts are following the Community Guidelines and Terms of Use, and posts that are not in compliance will be removed and you will get an email stating it has been removed. You can review those terms and guidelines here:


Transfer failed and ended up with Activation lock, Even with proof of purchase activation lock not removed

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