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How to remove Activation Lock on your Apple device

Posted on by darion

Apple's
Apple’s “Find My” app.

Apple Find My includes Activation Lock, a feature that’s designed to prevent others from using your iPhone or iPad if it’s lost or stolen. Activation Lock turns on automatically when you turn on Find My on your device.

Here’s what to do if you see the Activation Lock screen on your Apple device, or if you’re asked to remove Activation Lock on a device that’s offline and you don’t own it.

How to remove Activation Lock on your device

Follow the on-screen instructions to enter the Apple ID and password you used to set up your device, or your device password. If you don’t remember your Apple ID, try signing in with the email address or phone number you regularly use for Apple services.

Learn how to find your Apple ID or reset your Apple ID password.

If your device is owned by a company or educational institution, please contact your IT department or manager.

Remove Internet Activation Lock if your device is offline

For iPhone, you can remove Activation Lock online even if your device is not offline.

  1. Go to www.iCloud.com/find.
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID, email address or phone number, then enter your password.
  3. Select the device you want to remove from iCloud.
  4. Click Remove this device.

MacDailyNews Note: If you need help removing Activation Lock and have proof of purchase, you can apply for Activation Lock support.

If you ever lose your device – whether it’s lost or you suspect it may have been stolen – use the Mark as Lost option in Find My immediately.

Mark as Lost locks your screen with a password and allows you to display a custom message with your phone number to help you recover it. You can also remotely wipe data from your device if necessary. Your custom message will still be displayed even after you erase your device.

While Activation Lock works in the background to make it harder for others to use or sell your missing device, Lost Mode clearly shows anyone who finds your device that it still belongs to you and can’t be reactivated without your password.
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