I can't sign out of someone else's account on my device

Hello!

My child was scammed! He logged out of his phone account and entered the scammers' details. Now he can't do anything with the phone, especially not log out of someone else's account.

Where, and what documents and information do I need to provide to reset my phone account?

iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Dec 4, 2025 6:27 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 4, 2025 7:49 AM

The previous post by azaksalmarzur28 lacked some very important information, although the response is typically what you would find by entering the question into AI. I don't suspect you will see any follow up from them as all previous posts have been a single AI response and move on, with the apparent purpose to simply "game" the site for points. Notice they do not provide any links to direct you to the proper location. Your question deserves a more thoughtful response. Here is what was missed and probably the most important:

  • What has been seen time and time again on this Support Site is that the original purchase receipt should be one from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller. Apple does not get involved in any third party sales and cannot prove a third party receipt is authentic.
  • If the device has been placed in Lost Mode, Apple cannot remove the Activation Lock from the device. The is likely the case for you as the usual reason a scammer would have you enter a different Apple Account is to extort money from you and even if you pay them it does not mean they will help.
  • Apple Support does NOT unlock a phone, although they can assist in directing you to the centralized site where the documents are submitted. This is where you need to go where you will see additional information.

https://al-support.apple.com/#/al/agreement

10 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 4, 2025 7:49 AM in response to MargaritaBordovskay

The previous post by azaksalmarzur28 lacked some very important information, although the response is typically what you would find by entering the question into AI. I don't suspect you will see any follow up from them as all previous posts have been a single AI response and move on, with the apparent purpose to simply "game" the site for points. Notice they do not provide any links to direct you to the proper location. Your question deserves a more thoughtful response. Here is what was missed and probably the most important:

  • What has been seen time and time again on this Support Site is that the original purchase receipt should be one from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller. Apple does not get involved in any third party sales and cannot prove a third party receipt is authentic.
  • If the device has been placed in Lost Mode, Apple cannot remove the Activation Lock from the device. The is likely the case for you as the usual reason a scammer would have you enter a different Apple Account is to extort money from you and even if you pay them it does not mean they will help.
  • Apple Support does NOT unlock a phone, although they can assist in directing you to the centralized site where the documents are submitted. This is where you need to go where you will see additional information.

https://al-support.apple.com/#/al/agreement

Dec 4, 2025 8:31 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

Mac Jim ID wrote:

The previous post by azaksalmarzur28• lacked some very important information, although the response is typically what you would find by entering the question into AI. I don't suspect you will see any follow up from them as all previous posts have been a single AI response and move on, with the apparent purpose to simply "game" the site for points. Notice they do not provide any links to direct you to the proper location. Your question deserves a more thoughtful response. Here is what was missed and probably the most important:
What has been seen time and time again on this Support Site is that the original purchase receipt should be one from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller. Apple does not get involved in any third party sales and cannot prove a third party receipt is authentic.
• If the device has been placed in Lost Mode, Apple cannot remove the Activation Lock from the device. The is likely the case for you as the usual reason a scammer would have you enter a different Apple Account is to extort money from you and even if you pay them it does not mean they will help.
• Apple Support does NOT unlock a phone, although they can assist in directing you to the centralized site where the documents are submitted. This is where you need to go where you will see additional information.
https://al-support.apple.com/#/al/agreement

Hello~ Agreed… 100% and more. 👏👏


~Katana-San~

Dec 4, 2025 9:05 AM in response to MargaritaBordovskay

Use the link provided by IdrisSeabright and I to remove the Activation Lock. Hopefully the proof of ownership documentation is one to satisfy the requirements and the account will then be removed from the device if it has not been placed in Lost Mode. The scammers change the password on the account after it was used to log in on the device, where the next step is usually to require some form of payment to provide you with the correct password. You obviously cannot trust that they would do that.

Dec 4, 2025 9:14 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

Mac Jim ID wrote:

Use the link provided by IdrisSeabright and I to remove the Activation Lock. Hopefully the proof of ownership documentation is one to satisfy the requirements and the account will then be removed from the device if it has not been placed in Lost Mode. The scammers change the password on the account after it was used to log in on the device, where the next step is usually to require some form of payment to provide you with the correct password. You obviously cannot trust that they would do that.


They’ll probably release the ownership if they’re so inclined, or just keep the ransom.


They’ll probably not provide the Apple Account password.


And the iPhone is likely marked as lost, which will block an Activation Lock request.

Dec 4, 2025 9:02 AM in response to MargaritaBordovskay

MargaritaBordovskay wrote:

Hello!
My child was scammed! He logged out of his phone account and entered the scammers' details. Now he can't do anything with the phone, especially not log out of someone else's account.
Where, and what documents and information do I need to provide to reset my phone account?


If this follows the usual pattern, the scammers will have already locked the phone, which means it is ineligible for any recovery.


Apple will not unlock a marked-as-lost phone.


It is now and will be a brick.


Pay the ransom (and hope the crook is honest), or recycle the phone.


I’d be inclined to replace the brick with a feature phone for a while too, to reenforce the development of the skepticism that can necessary for dealing with unknown people. And when dealing with some known people.

Dec 4, 2025 8:59 AM in response to MargaritaBordovskay

MargaritaBordovskay wrote:

Luckily, the phone isn't locked yet

If the scammer has their sign in information in there it is as good as locked. It is now their device.


We tried entering the password the scammers provided, but it no longer works.

If you paid them ransom money for this then they have what they want and have no reason to help you in any manner. Why give you the password to an account they can use to scam somebody else? You'd be making them do some work making new accounts for their next victim.

I can't sign out of someone else's account on my device

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