Before you hand over money for a used iPhone, check its Activation Lock status. Activation Lock turns on automatically when Find My is enabled. If it is active, the phone is useless to you. The only reliable way to confirm a second-hand iPhone is free of Activation Lock is to check the device itself, because Apple removed its public online Activation Lock status checker in 2017. Here is the in-person check, what the seller must do to clear the lock, and your options if the phone is locked.
Why You Must Check Activation Lock in Person
Apple used to let anyone check Activation Lock status online by entering a serial number or IMEI. That option no longer exists. Since 2017, the only way to answer the question "is this iPhone locked to owner" is to hold the phone in your hands and go through its setup process. Skip this step, and you could end up with a phone that is locked to someone else's Apple ID and cannot be activated.
What a Clean IPhone Looks Like
A properly reset iPhone shows the "Hello" setup screen after you turn it on. From there, choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and proceed. You will never be asked for a previous owner's Apple ID credentials. This is the sign that Activation Lock is off and the phone is ready for a new user.
How to Check the Phone Before You Buy
Perform the check in one of two situations: the phone is already erased, or the seller still has it set up. Follow the method that matches yours.
If the Phone Is Already Erased
Power on the phone. If it shows the "Hello" screen and lets you begin setup without asking for an Apple ID or password, Activation Lock is off. If instead the screen says "iPhone Locked to Owner" and asks for an Apple ID and password, Activation Lock is on. Do not buy the phone.
If the Phone Is Still Set Up
Ask the seller to erase the phone in front of you. The menu path is: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. When Find My is enabled, this action requires the seller's Apple ID password. If the seller cannot provide that password, or if the phone refuses to erase, Activation Lock is active. A seller who legitimately owns the phone and has turned off Find My can complete the erase without a password.
What the Seller Must Do to Remove Activation Lock
If the phone is locked, the seller has two ways to remove it:
- Erase directly on the phone. The seller goes to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. This works only if they know their Apple ID password.
- Remove the device remotely. The seller signs in to iCloud.com/find, selects the phone, and chooses to erase it remotely. This also requires their Apple ID password.
Once either method completes, the phone restarts and shows the "Hello" setup screen. At that point, you can confirm the lock is gone.
What to Do If the Phone is Locked After You Buy it
If you buy a used iPhone and later find that Activation Lock is on, your options are limited. Apple removes Activation Lock only for the original owner with proof of purchase. Contact the person who sold you the phone and ask them to remove the lock using their Apple ID. If the seller cannot or will not help, the phone remains locked. There is no other way to bypass Activation Lock.
Can You Remove Activation Lock Without the Original Owner?
No. Only the original owner can ask Apple to remove the lock, and only with proof of purchase. No store, repair shop, or third-party service can do this for you.
How to Protect Yourself When Buying a Used IPhone
To avoid buying a locked phone, follow these steps:
- Meet the seller in person and ask them to power on the phone in front of you.
- If the phone is set up, ask the seller to erase it using the menu path: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Watch the phone restart. It should show the "Hello" screen.
- If the phone shows "iPhone Locked to Owner" or asks for an Apple ID, do not buy it.
- If the seller cannot erase the phone, ask them to remove the device from iCloud.com/find in front of you, then repeat the check.
For a live check of your own device and connection, visit findmyiphone.onl.