Activating an iPhone is a mandatory procedure that not only new, but also reset smartphones in use undergo. Once you roll back your iPhone to factory settings - no matter how exactly you do it - after that you will have to activate it again in any case. This is not meant to make your life difficult or to imitate the novelty of the device, but to customize it exactly the way you now need it. After all, your preferences could change or the smartphone could end up in the hands of another user who bought it from the previous one. In short, there are a lot of possible options. But activation is not always possible.
There is nothing wrong with your iPhone not activating. Even the activation lock can be removed
Why won't my iPhone activate?
If the iPhone does not activate, this is not a death sentence
If you opened this article, you've probably already seen that sometimes you just can't activate your iPhone . He writes - activation failed or the iPhone could not be activated because it was not possible to obtain activation information from it. The reasons why this happens can be very different. Here are just the most common ones:
- An update is required to activate your iPhone (your iPhone is running on an outdated version of the OS and it cannot be activated) - fixable;
- The activation server is unavailable (too many devices are being activated at the moment or it has simply “fallen”) - fixable;
- Your mobile operator does not allow you to unlock this iPhone (your iPhone may be locked to another operator) - an unlock is required;
- Cellular or Wi-Fi connection does not work (activation is carried out only using the Internet, and a stable signal is important for this) - fixable;
- iTunes was unable to verify your device (happens if any internal components of the smartphone do not work) - fixable;
- The iPhone is locked by the previous user (this happens when the activation lock of the previous owner is active on the smartphone) - fixable.
In fact, most of the reasons that prevent activation can be resolved quite easily. It doesn’t matter what exactly caused the iPhone activation failure - the need for an update, the unavailability of the activation server, or the inability of iTunes to verify the device. In both cases, and in the third case, can activate the iPhone if it says “activation failed” without outside help. You just need to wait until Apple's servers are up and running again or the cellular signal is improved.
How to remove iPhone activation lock
It's another matter if you encounter an iPhone activation failure due to iCloud blocking. In this case, only PassFab Activation Unlocker will help you. This is a universal program that allows you to bypass iPhone activation lock . Thus, at the end you will receive a completely clean smartphone that is not tied to another account, and you will be able to activate it by logging into your own account. This method is good because the old account may not belong to you.
- PassFab Activation Unlocker on your computer;
- Connect iPhone to computer using a cable;
PassFab Activation Unlocker allows you to remove activation lock from iPhone
- Launch the utility and on the main screen click “Start”;
- Read the user agreement and accept it;
Please note that you can only unlock your iPhone with a jailbreak.
- Click “Next” and then “Bypass Activation Lock”;
If the conditions suit you, the result will definitely suit you
- Download the jailbreak utility and perform the jailbreak by following the on-screen instructions;
- After this, the iPhone activates itself without entering your Apple ID password.
It seems to be nothing complicated. However, there are a few aspects that you definitely need to be aware of. Firstly, you can unlink your iPhone from iCloud using the method described in the instructions above only if the smartphone is not activated. Otherwise, PassFab Activation Unlocker will not recognize it properly and will not allow you to start the iPhone unlocking . Secondly, jailbreaking is required in this case. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to do without it, because we are talking about a not entirely legal procedure.
Activation Lock Status
A very important point, without studying which the entire further procedure will in some cases be useless. So, activation blocking can be of three types - the device has the status:
- OFF - no blocking. Activation is possible using any Apple ID.
- CLEAN - the device can be activated only after unlinking from the previous account.
- LOST - the device is erased (LOST AND ERASED), lost or stolen (LOST OR STOLEN), is on the operator’s black list (BLACKLISTED).
How to find out what status your iPhone has? There are several options:
- By appearance. For example, on the device screen you can see the message “this device has been lost and erased.” Everything is clear here - this iPhone has the LOST sign and, most likely, is being used for spare parts.
- Through special checker sites. I will not give a list of them here (many of them constantly disappear and appear - you can’t keep track of them all). Unfortunately, there are practically no free ones - they ask for money for information. True, not very much - usually $2-3.
Why even know all this? In order to understand whether it’s worth the hassle and spending your time on unlocking.
Here are two main conclusions:
- If the device has the CLEAN status, there is a chance of unlocking.
- If the device has LOST status, there is practically no chance. In this case, you should simply have reinforced concrete arguments for removing Activation Lock - which, unfortunately, are almost always lacking.
Well, now about the most important thing...
How to log into iCloud without a password
If the account belongs to you, it will be much easier. Because instead of literally hacking your iPhone to unlock it, you can try logging into it without a password. This opportunity has existed for a long time, but for some reason not everyone takes advantage of it. Apple lets you sign in to iCloud without a password , using only your devices' biometric scanners. There you can simply unlink your iPhone from your account without any extra steps.
- Go to iCloud.com on any Apple device;
- Log in to your account using biometrics;
You can sign in to iCloud using biometrics or a device lock passcode
- If your device does not support biometrics, enter the passcode you use to unlock it;
- Now go to Find My iPhone, select your iPhone and erase it or unlink it from your Apple ID.
The disadvantage of this method is that unlink your iPhone from your iCloud account if your second device is also linked to it. I deliberately emphasize that the auxiliary device, be it an iPad or, say, a MacBook, should belong to you. After all, someone else's device most likely will not have access to your account, unless you have previously linked them. So keep that in mind if you try it.
Forgot your Apple ID and password - what to do
If your account is yours, but you don’t have a second device or you can’t log into iCloud using biometrics, you can try to restore it. Moreover, Apple offers several ways to do this, depending on the situation and the incoming data you have. For this purpose, the iCloud website even has a special section with detailed instructions:
- Go to iforgot.apple.com and click “Reset Password”;
- If you don't remember your Apple ID, click Find It;
You can recover your Apple ID even if you've forgotten your email address
- Enter your first name, last name and email address;
- If the data does not match, try entering others;
- Copy the received Apple ID address and return to the recovery stage;
You can get a recovery code even on someone else's device
- Enter your Apple ID in the field, followed by your phone number;
- Confirm your password reset using the verification code.
If you are not able to receive the code on your devices, you can turn to friends or acquaintances for help. Even though their devices are not linked to your account, you can send a reset code to them. We talked about how to do this in a separate article - be sure to read it, it can save you and your device from being completely blocked.
How to bypass Activation Lock
If we talk about the iPhone, there are only two ways:
- Enter the correct Apple ID and password pair.
- Unlocking via technical support.
There are no other common options. You cannot somehow cleverly reflash, update, roll back the firmware, do a Hard Reset, etc.
Remember! All blocking occurs on Apple servers - only technical support employees and other special employees from Apple can remove it.
You ask: “But the guys on the Internet say that they will send you some kind of clever firmware (for only 500-600 rubles!) and everything will be fine!”
It will be good. But not for you, but for them. They will receive 550 rubles and will be happy. You won't get anything and you will be upset.
However, things are not always so categorical. After all, there is...
Services that offer blocking bypass
Indeed, on the Internet you can find services and sites that offer (for a fee) to unlock your iPhone. Should I use them or not? It's up to you to decide. For my part, I will give some simple tips.
If you are thinking of using such services, then:
- Be sure to read and check all the reviews. There are a lot of scammers in this area.
- Never enter your card details anywhere! I repeat, there are a lot of scammers.
- Do not make full payment until you receive the result. They'll take the money and then you won't find anything.
- If prepayment is still necessary, then use those systems where a refund is possible. For example, PayPal. In general, if a site works for a long time and fruitfully with a “stick”, then this is a good sign.
- In the purpose of payment, write about what the transfer is for. This will make it a little easier to return payment for a service not provided.
- A normal unlocking service will not immediately demand money, but will first ask for the serial number and tell you whether there is a chance of unlocking. If you are told about a 100% guarantee of results in any case, then this is most likely a deception.
In general, be careful.
And yes, it’s worth remembering that all these services work in the same way - they achieve unlocking through support. Which means you can do it yourself.
Removing Activation Lock through support
Again, this is the only working way to unlock your iPhone. There are simply no others.
You can entrust this task to other people and pay money (we have already talked about special services) or try to do everything yourself and for free. What is required of us?
- Call technical support. There is no point in writing to some email or immediately flooding them with documents - it all starts with a call.
- Explain your problem. Especially emphasize that the iPhone belongs to you (bought with your own honestly earned money, issued on credit) and you have documents (checks, loan agreements, invoices, screenshots, stamps) that confirm the purchase. The more pieces of paper, the better.
- After this, you will receive a special letter by email containing a link to download all these documents.
- You take photos, upload and wait. If all is well, the blocking will be lifted within a few days.
This is in general terms. And now a few important points, questions and answers to them.
- Prepare thoroughly for the conversation. Your story should be clear and logical.
- There is no need to swear and “download your rights.” The decision to unblock is made by people - aggression will only reduce the chances of success.
- What to do if there are no documents? Search. Make inquiries to the store - many of them keep a database of sold devices (you can ask to print out a receipt and put a stamp). If you took out a loan, then call the bank and ask for some statements on the loan. I repeat, the more pieces of paper, the better.
- And if there is a box, a complete set, but no documents - is that possible? Unfortunately no.
As you can see, the situation is complicated - but nothing can be done here, these are Apple’s rules.
iPhone activation lock. FAQ
Activation Lock Killed More iPhones Than Viruses, But It Can Be Fixed
- What is Activation Lock ? Activation Lock is a security mechanism that ties your iPhone to the specific account you're logged into. Because of this, it will be impossible to activate your smartphone if you do not have your Apple ID password.
- How to activate iPhone if you forgot your Apple ID password ? To do this, you need to restore access to your account on the website iforget.apple.com, unlink your iPhone from iCloud using biometrics, or you can simply reset the activation lock through PassFab Activation Unlocker.
- How to log into iCloud without a password ? You can log into iCloud without a password from any Apple device linked to this account. Apple allows you to log in using biometrics - Touch ID or Face ID - or a lock password.
- Is it possible to unlock an iPhone without an Apple ID without a password ? Yes, it is quite. The easiest and most convenient way to do this is using the PassFab Activation Unlocker utility, but keep in mind that unlocking can only be done through the jailbreak procedure.
- What should you do if you need to reset your Apple ID , but none of the above methods work? Contact Apple Technical Support. You will be asked for a sales or cash receipt and packaging from your device confirming the fact of purchase. If everything is confirmed, the device will be unlocked.
How to delete an iCloud account (Apple id) without knowing the password?
If you have an iPhone or iPad that is linked to an Apple id account and the “Find My iPhone ON” . You don’t remember your iCloud password or you have become a victim of an unscrupulous seller and there is someone else’s account on your device in the iCloud settings, in which case you should not be upset because we have found a solution on how to delete the icloud account of a previous user! iRemove Tools software - the best solution for unlocking iCloud (Apple id) on any iOS device: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch (WIFI or GSM).
Why is this the best solution for Apple iPhone, iPad linked to an iCloud account?
- The service is fully automated; you don’t need to be “technically savvy”; the program will do everything for you!
- Supports ALL iOS (latest version iOS 11.2 )
- The program is suitable for all mobile devices Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch
- Support Windows 7 (x32 x64), 8, 10
- It only takes a few minutes to bypass/remove iCloud!
How to delete an iCloud account if you forgot your password using the iRemove Tools service:
Step 1 . Make sure you have an iCloud account that needs to be deleted. Step 2 . Download iRemove Tools Step 3 . Launch the program and connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer using a USB Lightning cable.
Step 4 . Now you need to allow the program to access your iPhone or iPad on the device itself by clicking on the warning “Trust this computer” Step 5 . If you did everything correctly, the program will determine the name, model, IMEI, serial number, iOS version and phone number of your device.
Note! If your Apple device (iPhone or iPad) has an Apple ID activation lock or “lost mode” iRemove program will not be able to delete your iCloud account. At the bottom you will see a message that this device is not supported “Unfortunately, your device is not supported "
Step 6 . If you see the message “Congratulation! Your device is supported" this means that your iPhone or iPad is supported by the iRemove Tools program and you can remove the Apple id account of the previous owner! Click on the “Make Paymant” button and order the iCloud removal service , fill out the form and pay. After payment, the IMEI and serial number of the device will be automatically added to the iRemove Tools database and you will be able to use the program!
Step 7 . Click "Remove iCloud Account" to begin the process of removing your iCloud (Apple iD) account. You will also see a warning that in addition to your iCloud account, all photos, contacts, reminders, notes, etc. will be deleted from the device. In short, all iCloud-related information will be erased.
Step 8 . Now on the Apple device itself you need to go to “Settings> General> Reset” select “Reset all settings”. After the reset, the device will reboot and the removal process will begin, which lasts several minutes; do not disconnect the Apple device from the computer.
Step 9 . After the process of deleting your iCloud account (Apple id) , a welcome message will appear on the iPhone or iPad screen. The deletion process is complete and you can set up the device as new, create your own Apple ID account or enter an existing one and use it without any restrictions*.
That's how it really is, it's simple. Now you know how to remove iCloud from an iPhone or iPad without knowing your account password.
*Important!
After unlocking iCloud using imei, you can link the device to your account and enable the “Find iPhone” , create an Apple id and download any applications on the iPhone / iPad, but you only need to update the firmware directly from the phone via Wi-Fi ( " update by air " ), do not under any circumstances update your iPhone or iPad via iTunes. also not recommended to do a full reset “Erase content and settings”, since the iRemove Tool does not completely remove the device from the Apple server! After a complete reset, the previous owner's Apple ID account will appear in iCloud settings again.