How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support? ›

You'll need to actually call Apple Support. Business Activation Unlock cannot be requested online at the time of publication. After the phone call, Apple Support sends you an unlock form. This form expires after a few business days, so don't delay, or you'll have to repeat the entire process.

You'll need to actually call Apple Support. Business Activation Unlock cannot be requested online at the time of publication. After the phone call, Apple Support sends you an unlock form. This form expires after a few business days, so don't delay, or you'll have to repeat the entire process.

Google and Samsung each have their own activation locks and offer different methods of removal. For Samsung phones, it is possible that both types of activation locks are present and you would need to remove both. In most cases, a factory reset does not remove the activation lock from the phone.

Contact Apple Support

If you can't contact the original owner of your device, Apple Support may help. Apple Support has a dedicated contact page for Activation Lock issues. Navigate to the Apple Support Activation Lock additional support page.

Use Activation Lock bypass code

You can use the Activation Lock bypass code in place of a password to unlock a device and erase it. In the Profile Manager sidebar, click Devices. Select a device, click the About tab, then click the Security triangle, and locate the activation lock bypass code.

If you cannot remove the lock that way Apple can completely reset a device (at no charge) if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership.

Go to Settings > [ your name], scroll down, tap Sign Out, enter your Apple ID password, then tap Turn Off. Erase all content and settings that contain personal information. If you previously turned on Find My for your iPhone, Activation Lock is removed when you erase iPhone, making it ready for a new owner.

You cannot bypass activation lock by simply jailbreaking it.

A: Removing the previous owner's Apple ID without a password is easy. All you have to do is go to your device settings, select the 'General' option, and look for the option 'Reset'. Then select 'Erase All Content and Settings'. This will remove the old account and allow you to start fresh with a new account.

How do I remove the activation lock without previous owner on my Apple Watch? ›

As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, you'll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock.

(800) 275–2273

Apple / Customer service

If you don't remember your Apple ID, you may be able to use your email address or phone number. Tap Next, and follow the onscreen instructions to reset your password.

Learn how to unlock an iPhone in Find My iPhone Activation Lock mode. It can take up to 10 business days for Apple to unlock a device. If you do not have the proof of purchase, it will take an additional five (5) days for the ITS Service Desk to process the request.

This happens to the best of us! Most of the time, we are able to remove the lock without any loss of data. To get started, please make an appointment with your local Best Buy's Geek Squad and we'll go over what you can expect. We'll likely check in the phone and start our work there too.

As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, you'll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock.