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Reset Options - iCloud email not accessible

Hello - a bit complicated story. I have an iPhone XR - not sure what year, that used to belong to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, J. While my wife was visiting them a while ago, she broke her phone. J offered this iPhone to her as a temporary until she could get a new phone. The iPhone is on Verizon and my wife is on T-Mobile, so she was just using it on Wi-fi. Wife got a new phone and the iPhone sat in a box for a while. I just found it the other and contacted J to see if she wanted it back and she said no. I asked J if she could provide the password so I could log J out of iCloud with the intent to reset the phone and check it out. (I'm an Android user.) J said that she no longer has access to the email on this iPhone and she is using a different email address on the phone she is currently using. She said that she's tried to reset the password on the email account but nothing has worked for her.


On Android, depending on how the phone is reset, during the set up process it will ask for the previous account information before proceeding. Will this happen on the iPhone? If I can't log J out of iCloud can I still reset the phone? If so, how?


Thanks!

iPhone XR

Posted on Nov 22, 2024 6:45 AM

Reply
2 replies

Nov 22, 2024 7:12 AM in response to rkwarner2

The easiest solution if she still has the receipt for the iPhone would be to ask Apple to reset it completely. If that does not work then you'll have to try account recovery. You'll then reset the device yourself which is why if you can get Apple to do it, it solves both issues in one go.


Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Check the requirements and steps at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not detail what currently constitutes proof other than it “must include the product serial number, IMEI or MEID.” Apple may typically require the original receipt* issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller. If Apple resets the device this will give you access to the device but won't restore access to the account used to lock it. There is nothing that can be done to expedite an Activation Lock request.


*Apple recommends you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support


If you find you can’t sign in, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery (go to this document: How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support ) to regain access to your account. Account recovery might take a few days or longer, depending on the specific account information you can provide to verify your identity. One tip to using account recovery it to look for options in small blue letters beneath the normal log-in items if you cannot complete the requested information.


What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


Reset Options - iCloud email not accessible

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