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How to Remove Activation Lock from an iPhone or iPad

What Activation Lock Is

Activation Lock is a security feature built into Apple devices through Find My. When Find My is enabled on an iPhone or iPad, the device becomes linked to a specific Apple Account.

If the device is erased or reset while still linked to that Apple Account, it cannot be set up again without the original Apple ID and password. This is by design and is intended to prevent stolen or lost devices from being reused.

If your organisation has the device but does not have the Apple ID credentials used to set it up, the lock can still be removed by the Apple Account owner, without them needing access to the device.

Remove the Device Using the Apple Account (No Physical Device Access Needed)

This is the preferred and fastest method.

The person whose Apple ID the device is locked to does not need to have the iPhone or iPad with them.

Steps for the Apple Account Owner

  1. Open a web browser and go to: https://www.icloud.com/find
  2. Sign in using the Apple ID and password that the device is currently locked to.
  3. Select All Devices to see the list of devices linked to this Apple Account.
  4. Choose the relevant iPhone or iPad from the list.
  5. Depending on the device status:
    1. If the device is offline:
      1. Select Remove This Device.  – Activation Lock will be removed.
    1. If the device is online:
      1. Select Erase to erase the device remotely.
      1. Once erasure is complete, select Remove This Device.

Once the device has been removed from the Apple Account, Activation Lock is cleared and the device can be set up again by the organisation.

Note: If the device was offline when removed, the removal may complete once the device next connects to the internet.

If the Apple Account Owner Has Forgotten Their Apple ID or Password

If the Apple Account owner cannot remember their Apple ID details, they should attempt account recovery using: https://iforgot.apple.com

During the recovery process, Apple may ask them to verify their identity using information linked to the account, such as the trusted phone number associated with the Apple ID. In some cases, they may need access to that phone number to receive a verification code.