Is It Possible to Unlock an iCloud Locked iPhone? Discover the Truth Here

by Foneazy iCloud Published On May 17, 2023 Updated On Sep 20, 2023
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Did you recently purchase a used iPhone, and now you are unable to access its features due to the iCloud Activation Lock? What does it mean, and can you unlock an iOS device with this issue?

Do not worry! Follow this article for valuable tips and tricks. Let's begin!

What Does iCloud Locked Mean?

iCloud Activation Lock, which is also known as being iCloud-locked, is a security feature that is used to prevent unauthorized use of the Apple devices and protect the data on your iOS device if it is lost or stolen.

When Find My iPhone is turned on, iCloud Activation Lock is enforced automatically every time the hardware is activated. It works hand-in-hand with the Find My app to locate stolen or misplaced devices.

The person with the device won't be able to access the data on the device if they don't have the Apple ID and password associated with it. When Activation Lock is triggered on the device, anyone attempting to access the device will see either of the messages below:

"Activation Lock - This device is linked to an Apple ID. Enter the Apple ID and password that were used to set up this device"

"iPhone Locked To Owner - The location of this iPhone can be seen by its owner [email protected]"

What Does iCloud Locked Mean

It is an amazing way to protect the device but can be a hindrance if you forget the Apple ID and password or you purchase a second-hand device only to find that it is locked to the previous owner's account.

Now comes the question: is it possible to unlock an iCloud locked iPhone? The answer is YES. Although Activation Lock cannot be bypassed easily, there are still several ways to help you achieve this.

Quick Tips to Fix This Issue

If you are looking for a quick overview to unlock the iCloud locked iPhone, then this section is just for you. Here, we have highlighted what method you need to perform in order to unlock the iCloud Activation Lock on your iPhone.

Note: If you want to glance at the complete details, follow the next sections of this article!

Try a Desktop Software

We recommend opting for a dedicated program to remove the Activation Lock, especially if you want to get a 100% outcome quickly. Using these tools on your Windows or Mac systems, you do not need to acquire any technical knowledge, and the process is completely secure.

Via DNS Bypass

Simply manipulate the DNS function on the device by entering region-based addresses. It is just a temporary solution, but it lets you unlock the iPhone.

Contact the Previous Owner

If you, one way or another, get in touch with the previous owner, ask them to unlock the iCloud-locked iPhone using multiple methods(discussed in this guide).

More Tips

Online iCloud lock removal services are available that do the job for you for a small fee. The wait time is usually 24 hours after you provide the relevant details, such as iPhone IMEI, your network, and your country.

Do not opt for free iCloud unlock service, as they are often unreliable and insecure, causing irreparable damage to the iPhone. We have shared the ins and outs of the top methods to bypass the iCloud Lock on an iPhone without a bother here. Check it out!

Unlock the iCloud Locked iPhone without Previous Owner

Use Unlockit iCloud Removal Tool

As suggested earlier, DIY iCloud lock removal software, such as Unlockit iCloud Remover, is perhaps the most efficient and hassle-free option to regain access to your iCloud-Locked iOS devices.

Unlockit iCloud remover is compatible with iPhone 5s through iPhone X, most iPad models, the iPod touch 6, and the iPod touch 7 running iOS 12.0-16. Besides, you can install it on any standard Mac computer to check whether your device is supported.

What's more, you only have to apply three simple steps to get the job done without acquiring any technical skills. Here's how to use it to unlock an iCloud locked device:

Step 1: Run the Software

Install and launch Unlockit. Use a USB cable to connect the iCloud-locked iPhone to your computer. Next, click Start.

Connect your phone to the computer

Step 2: Follow the Instructions

To remove the Activation lock, you will need to follow the instructions on the screen to put your device in DFU mode and then jaibreak it.

 jailbreaking your phone

Step 3: Unlock the Device

Finally, verify the details and click the Start to unlock button to bypass the iCloud Activation Lock.

confirm your device information

Step 4: Unlocking is finished

It usually takes 5 to 10 minutes to unlock your device. Once the process is complete, you will receive a message indicating that the removal was successful.

the Activation Lock removed from your device

Use the DNS Bypass Trick

This solution is somewhat complicated and recommended to technically-skilled users, but it can do the job.

However, This trick only works for devices running on iOS 10 and earlier. Plus, using the iCloud DNS bypass solution only reaps interim results.

Follow the guide here:

  1. Restart the iPhone and select the Country and Language.
  2. On the Settings page, open WiFi and select the i icon.
  3. Provide the following DNS IP Addresses to bypass the iCloud Lock on your iPhone:
  4. North America: 104.154.51.7
  5. South America: 35.199.88.219
  6. Europe: 104.155.28.90
  7. Asia: 104.155.220.58
  8. Australia and Oceania: 35.189.47.23
  9. Other Regions: 78.100.17.60
  10. Return to the WiFi Settings page, select your preferred network, and connect.
  11. Instead of pressing the Next Page button, tap Back to access the iCloud Bypass screen.

Use the DNS Bypass Trick

Unlock the iCloud Locked iPhone with Previous Owner

If You Can Reach the iPhone's Original Owner

If you know the previous owner of your iPhone, we suggest getting in touch with them and asking them to remove the locked device from their devices' list.

Check out the following steps:

If the iPhone runs on iOS 10.2 and older:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap iCloud.
  3. Then tap the name of the iCloud locked device.
  4. Select Remove from Account.
  5. Tap Remove to confirm.

If the iPhone runs on iOS 10.3 and newer,

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap the user's name.
  3. Then tap the name of the iCloud locked device.
  4. And press Remove from Account.
  5. Tap Remove to confirm.

remove the locked device from their devices' list

That's it!

If the Original Owner Isn't Nearby

The previous owner can also remotely remove their account from your iPhone using the Find My iPhone feature on the iCloud website: icloud.com.

Here's how:

Step 1. Ask the original user to access their iCloud account on icloud.com.

access their iCloud account on the website

Step 2. Next, click Find My and select the All Devices option.

click Find My

Step 3. Then, they must choose iCloud-locked your iPhone from the list and click Erase Device before sharing their iCloud password.

Erase Device

Step 4. Lastly, they need to tap the Remove from Account.

Remove from Account

FAQs

Still, have issues related to removing the iCloud Lock from your iPhone?

Follow the tips in this FAQ section!

1. How to Remove Activation Lock Without the Previous Owner?

You can take help from third-party software like Unlockit iCloud remover, or purchase the services of online lock removal tools to bypass the iCloud Lock on the iPhone, especially if you aren't in touch with the previous owner.

2. Can I use iTunes to Bypass the iCloud Activation Lock Screen?

No!

iTunes can only reset the iPhone if it gets disabled due after you enter the incorrect screen passcode multiple times. You can restore the backup using the platform, but removing the Activation Lock isn't possible.

3. Will Removing the Passcode Bypass the iPhone Activation Lock?

No, it won't!

You would only be able to access the iPhone, but the Activation Lock will remain, and the only way out is to apply the solutions listed in this guide, such as bypassing via Unlockit iCloud remover.

To Conclude

Accidentally purchasing an iCloud-locked iPhone can be quite frustrating, especially when you can't get in touch with the previous owner.

Luckily, there are multiple solutions to bypass the issue. Some methods are expensive, and a few of them are time-consuming, but all are effective.

Still, if you want to save time and not get into technical concerns, try Unlockit iCloud remover software to remove the Activation Lock.

Foneazy
As experts in managing iOS and Android devices, the entire Foneazy team has noticed the increased need for better support for iPhone and Android usage. This prompted the creation of our own, widely used Foneazy iPhone and Android software suite.
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