Many iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users will shudder when asked how to unlock an iCloud device after resale, losing a password, or in the event of an employee leaving a company that uses these tools. Odds are pretty good this has happened at least once to everyone who uses these devices, and it can be extremely frustrating, particularly if the device is used for business. Companies which issue iPhones or iPads to their employees can find themselves stuck with a useless device (or, at best, spare parts for other devices) if they don’t know what to do. All of this is because of Apple’s admittedly excellent Activation Lock, which is there to prevent theft of Apple devices. Activation Lock works effectively, VERY effectively. It can’t be hacked. It can’t be reasoned with. Is there anything that can be done?
There are indeed solutions, but first, a bit of advice for business owners: if you want to use iPhones or iPads for your business, it is a really good idea to establish protocols for their use. The problem here is that these devices are linked to a user’s iCloud account, and if an employee leaves without unlocking the phone, your business will find itself needing the solutions presented here. This can be prevented internally by making rules governing the use of iCloud accounts and device usage. This simple step can save your business a world of trouble. For that matter, don’t let it daunt you from using these products for your business--the same thing that must be planned around also adds a huge extra layer of protection for your company!
Many people, however, find themselves without the ability to get into iPhones because they either lost their password, or bought a used one that the previous owner hasn’t unlocked. They are in the same boat as businesses with employees who left locked iPhones after leaving the company. There are options, but following these options means making sure proper documentation of the ownership of the phone is available. If you can’t prove the phone is yours, it will not be unlocked, or can even be locked remotely by whoever it is locked to.Obviously, the fastest way to get a device unlocked by Apple is to visit one of their stores with the proper documentation, but failing that, owners may call customer service at any of these contact numbers, listed by country (you can also use that page to contact them online). You should have your device’s serial number and IMEI number ready, because when you contact them, they will ask for that information. Having with you the original invoice from your purchase of the phone is highly recommended, as the information Apple will ask for is on it (they may even ask for the invoice number). The Activation Lock is an anti-theft device, so they want proof the phone is yours before they do anything!
If you’re doing this over the phone or online, Apple will send you an email to send them scanned copies of this information. It cannot be stressed enough that ownership is top priority for them, because they’re trying to protect your device from being stolen (if your device ever is stolen, you’ll be grateful for all this hassle!). Just get the information together and email it back.Once they have verified ownership, they will send you another form, this one an authorization to remove the lock. Businesses can sign it and return it, but individuals might have to have it notarized. Individuals might also have to wait a little longer than businesses for the coveted next reply, which is the notification that the device has been unlocked. Usually this takes a couple of days but it can sometimes take up to a week.However, it often happens that a person has an iPhone that they purchased legitimately, but can’t get into it, either because of a previous owner failing to unlock it properly or because they forgot their own password. Perhaps the receipt was misplaced or downright lost, and Apple will not help because there is no proof of purchase. In some cases, the original owner is deceased, and loved ones or colleagues want to be able to use or re-sell the device.
Since there are a lot of scam services out there that claim they can “bypass” your phone’s Activation Lock, it’s important to be aware that this is not the case. Updates to the phones will re-establish the lock and you’re back to square one. Some of them might infect your device with malicious software. There is no actual bypass for Activation Lock.However, legitimate iPhone owners do have options open to them should they be unable to prove to Apple that they own the phone. There are services out there that can, for a small fee, unlock the phone for you. iPhoneIMEI.net is one such service, asking your phone or iPad’s model, the IMEI, and a small fee. Another reputable service is OfficialiPhoneUnlock, which likewise performs this service for a small fee.The best offense here, though, is a good defense. If you purchase an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, always guard your account. Do not share your account or passwords with others, and always have some kind of safeguard if there are multiple devices, such as a family or a business. Leave the information available in a safe place with your other important documents should something happen to you. The best way to avoid having to unlock an Apple device is to avoid the situation entirely!
