Bought an iCloud-Locked iPhone? Here's How to Bypass Activation Lock Safely

"Buying a used iPhone loses its appeal if an iCloud Activation Lock screen appears. Users often find this after turning on the phone, leaving them unable to use it. The Find My iPhone security feature Activation Lock. It prevents unauthorized use of a lost or stolen phone without the owner's Apple ID and password. This article explains why this lock emerges and how to bypass iCloud Activation lock securely."

"Apple protects your data with iCloud Activation Lock. Find My iPhone links the handset to the owner's Apple ID. The lock persists on the phone after a reset to prevent unauthorized use. This prevents crooks from stealing or selling locked devices and safeguards owner data. Second-hand customers often encounter this issue when sellers forget to deactivate the gadget from iCloud."

"However, one should always perform a reset of the second-hand iPhone right in front of the seller before making a purchase. This is a sure way of confirming that the iPhone is not carrier locked and it is ready for use. In fact, a factory reset is a good test to see if the phone is Activation Lock free because after the reset the iPhone should not ask for the previous owner's Apple ID or password during the setup process."

iCloud Activation Lock is a Find My iPhone security feature that links a device to the owner's Apple ID and password. The lock remains after resets to prevent unauthorized use of lost or stolen phones. Second-hand buyers commonly encounter locked devices when previous owners, businesses, or repair shops fail to sign out of iCloud. Buyers should check Activation Lock status via IMEI or serial number tools and request a factory reset in the seller's presence. A successful reset that does not request the previous owner's Apple ID confirms the device is free. Bypassing should only target personally owned devices to maintain legal and privacy safety.

Read at Business Matters