What To Do When You Can't Activate a Used iPhone

getting a used iPhone is exciting. After all, you've got an iPhone and saved a bunch of money by buying used. But some people encounter a problem when trying to activate their new device: The iPhone asks them for someone else's Apple ID and won't work without it.
If you have this problem, you may be worried that you got ripped off. Don't worry: You can fix the problem by following these steps.

 

 

What's Happening: Activation Lock

This situation is caused by a feature of Apple's Find My iPhone service called Activation Lock

Activation Lock is a security measure that Apple added to deal with the rash of iPhone thefts. Previously, if someone managed to steal an iPhone and not get caught, they could simply erase it, resell it, and get away with the crime. Activation Lock changed that.

When the phone's original owner has set up Find My iPhone on the device, the Apple ID that was used is stored on Apple's activation servers along with info about that phone. Those activation servers will only activate the phone again if that original Apple ID is used. Not having the Apple ID is why you're being blocked from activating or even using the phone. That helps prevent theft: why bother stealing a phone that won't work? On the other hand, it doesn't help you if you purchased the phone legitimately.


Dealing with Activation Lock is frustrating, but it's also relatively easy to solve. Most likely, the previous owner just forgot to turn off Find My iPhone or erase the device properly before selling it (though it could also be a sign that you've got a stolen device, so be cautious).

You just need to contact the previous owner and have him take a couple of steps.

How to Remove Activation Lock on iPhone

In order to use your new iPhone, you'll need to remove Activation Lock by entering the previous owner's Apple ID. Begin the process by contacting the seller and explaining the situation

Dealing with Activation Lock is frustrating, but it's also relatively easy to solve. Most likely, the previous owner just forgot to turn off Find My iPhone or erase the device properly before selling it (though it could also be a sign that you've got a stolen device, so be cautious).

You just need to contact the previous owner and have him take a couple of steps.

       How to Remove Activation Lock on iPhone

 

 n order to use your new iPhone, you'll need to remove Activation Lock by entering the previous owner's Apple ID. Begin the process by contacting the seller and explaining the situation.If the seller lives near enough to you that you can bring the phone back to him, do so. Once the seller has the iPhone in hand, he just needs to enter their Apple ID on the Activation Lock screen. With that done, restart the phone and you can continue with the standard activation process.

How to Remove Activation Lock Using iCloud

Things get a little more complex if the seller can't physically access the phone. In that case, the seller can use iCloud to remove the phone from his account by following these steps:.

1. Go to iCloud.com on any device.
2. Sign in with the Apple ID they used to activate the phone.
3. Click Find My iPhone.
4. Click All Devices.  
5. Click the phone they're selling you.
6. Click Remove from Account.

 With that done, you should turn the iPhone off and then back on. If you can proceed with the normal activation process, you're good to go.

What to Do If the Homescreen or Passcode Screen Are Present

If you turn on your new phone and see either the iPhone's homescreen or the passcode lock screen, the seller didn't properly erase the phone before selling it to you. In this scenario, you need the seller to erase the device before you can activate it.
If you give the phone to the previous owner:

Erasing an iPhone Using iCloud 

If you can't get the phone physically to the seller, the seller can use iCloud to erase it. To do that, make sure the phone you're trying to activate is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network, and then ask the seller to follow these steps:

1. Go to iCloud.com/#find.
2. Sign in with the Apple ID they used on the phone they're selling you.
3. Click All Devices.
4. Select the phone they're selling you.
5. Click Erase iPhone.
6. When the phone is erased, click Remove from Account.
7. Restart the phone and you should be able to set it up.

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  Erasing an iPhone Using the Find My iPhone App

  The same process performed using iCloud in the last step can be done using the Find My iPhone app installed on another iPhone. If the seller prefers to do that, connect the phone you're buying to Wi-Fi or cellular and then have the seller follow these steps:
  
  
  
  
  1. Launch the Find My iPhone app.
  2. Sign into it with the Apple ID they used on the phone they sold you.
  3. Select the phone they sold you.
  4. Tap Actions.
  5. Tap Erase iPhone.
  6. Tap Erase iPhone (it's the same button name, but on a new screen).
  7. Enter their Apple ID.
  8. Tap Erase.
  9. Tap Remove from Account.
  10. Restart the iPhone and begin setup.
  
  
  

  Avoiding Activation Lock When Selling Your iPhone

  If you're going to sell your iPhone, you don't want to be bothered by your seller telling you you didn't turn off Activation Lock or didn't deliver the phone to them in a usable state. Make sure you have a smooth transaction by doing all the right things before selling your iPhone. g
  

What To Do When You Can't Activate a Used iPhone