Iphone Activation Lock

renegadefm

I bought a second hand iphone 5 for my partner for Chrismas but it has an activation lock on it, requesting I should type in the Apple ID and password that were originally used to set up the phone.

I'm not clued up on this as I have always had android phones, but she wanted an iphone. What does this exactly mean and can I factory reset the phone to get rid of it?

littleredhen

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201365

renegadefm

littleredhen, I actually went on that link before but I would need the previous owners help or details. Its basically a protection thing for owners to trace their lost or stolen phone. I dont have the sellers details now as it was bought from a car boot. So have I been done?

littleredhen

Check for Activation Lock before you buy a device from someone else
Before you buy an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch from someone other than Apple or an authorised Apple reseller, make sure that the device is erased and is no longer linked to the previous owner’s account. Ask the seller whether or not they've turned off Activation Lock, then follow these steps:

Turn on the device and slide to unlock.
If the passcode lock screen or the Home screen appears, the device hasn't been erased. Ask the seller to completely erase the device by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad or iPod touch until it's been erased.
Begin the device setup process.
If you're asked for the previous owner’s Apple ID and password, the device is still linked to their account. Hand the device back to the seller and ask them to enter their password. If the previous owner isn't present, they can remove the device from their account by signing in to icloud.com/find. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad or iPod touch until it has been removed from the previous owner’s account.
You will know that a device is ready for you to use when you're asked to 'Set up your iPhone', 'Set up your iPad' or 'Set up your iPod' the first time you turn it on.

If you buy a device that's still linked to a previous owner's account, contact them as soon as possible and ask them to erase the device and remove it from their account. Learn how to remove a device from a previous owner's account.

Swipe

renegadefm wrote: »

So have I been done?

Yep, no way of unlocking it without the appleid and password. It's there so a stolen phone's value becomes only worth what you can sell for spare parts.

renegadefm

Oh no, thats what I was fearing. I am gutted because I payed £200 for it.

I feel stupid because they showed it to me all working, then powered it down to put it back in the box and I payed the money and that was that.

So it might be just a case of they forgot to remove the activation lock or deactivate it? Because they seemed genuine and I fail to see what they have to gain by ripping me off, unless it wasent their phone at all, I dont know.

There must be a way to disassociate the phone to the original owner, otherwise this is an over the top protection thing from Apple. Surely thousands of buyers fall into this trap?

Swipe

renegadefm wrote: »

There must be a way to disassociate the phone to the original owner, otherwise this is an over the top protection thing from Apple. Surely thousands of buyers fall into this trap?

It can't be bypassed. That's the whole point of it. And, yes, lots of people do fall into this trap.

oldernonethewiser

renegadefm wrote: »

Oh no, thats what I was fearing. I am gutted because I payed £200 for it.

I feel stupid because they showed it to me all working, then powered it down to put it back in the box and I payed the money and that was that.

So it might be just a case of they forgot to remove the activation lock or deactivate it? Because they seemed genuine and I fail to see what they have to gain by ripping me off, unless it wasent their phone at all, I dont know.

There must be a way to disassociate the phone to the original owner, otherwise this is an over the top protection thing from Apple. Surely thousands of buyers fall into this trap?

Another way to look at is it a good security measure from Apple. Lots of info online about how to disable it prior to selling one. (no use to you as the buyer of course)


Any chance you could go back and find the seller?


As for being "done" - £200 for an iphone 5!??!? No longer supported by Apple, (they stopped a couple of years ago) though of course it will continue to work just won't get updates. You could have got one from places such as Music Magpie for less than £100.

renegadefm

oldernonethewiser, well its like new and the box and everything is mint condition, I'm not clued up on iphones and the versions so thought it was a bargain at the time. Never expected to be locked out of it.

You could argue if its not that expencive why lock it up like fort knocks?

I wouldn't have a clue how to trace the sellers as it was a car boot, different sellers each week.

So have I basically thrown away 200 quid?

I cant help but think theres a way around this.

oldernonethewiser

renegadefm wrote: »

oldernonethewiser, well its like new and the box and everything is mint condition, I'm not clued up on iphones and the versions so thought it was a bargain at the time. Never expected to be locked out of it.

You could argue if its not that expencive why lock it up like fort knocks?

I wouldn't have a clue how to trace the sellers as it was a car boot, different sellers each week.

So have I basically thrown away 200 quid?

I cant help but think theres a way around this.

I would stop thinking then as unfortunately without the seller, there isn't.


£200 for a second hand iphone 5, no matter what the condition, is not a bargain.

People are selling brand new boxed ones for under £120 on ebay.


An unfortunate experience for you sad to say.

renegadefm

oldernonethewiser, seems that way doesnt it?

I just tend to think theres no dirty play involved here, I think the seller genuinely forgot to disable activation lock before shutting down the phone. In my case a very expencive mistake, but highlights how easy it is for buyers of Apple stuff it is to fall victim of their products. I definetly won't be buying anything connected to Apple again.