A Couple of Questions Regarding Activation Lock & Apple ID

[Scoot65]

Hi, here's some background info :- Phone in question is an iPhone 12 Pro Max. The phone belonged to my wife's sister who unfortunately has died suddenly. Wife would like to gift the iPhone her sister's neice. The phone is currently signed into the deceased's Apple ID (password is unknown).

The SIM appears carrier locked (AT&T). However before I knew this, the neice put another carrier's SIM into the phone which triggered the Activation Lock. The AT&T SIM card was re-installed and the Activation Lock remained in place. When I removed the AT&T SIM for the second time, iPhone connected to my home wifi and the Activation Lock deactivated and we're able to access the phone again. Currenly no SIM in the phone

I haven't tried again for fear of triggering the Activation Lock again, but it appears that if the original AT&T SIM card is put in the phone, the Activation Lock is deactivated, does this sound right?

Also, would an Apple store remove / sign out the deceased's details / Apple ID?
We have the original AT&T sales receipt for the iPhone.
Original AT&T letterheaded paper showing contract details and costings
Original retail box with serial numbers matching the iPhone
Death certificate for my wife's sister.

One last question, can the AT&T SIM lock be removed making the phone unlocked to any network?

Many thanks

 

[VineRider]

If you can get into the phone, you should be able to change the Apple ID password from there.

Change your Apple Account password - Apple Support

Follow these steps to change your Apple Account password.

support.apple.com

Once you have changed the password, you should be able to log out from there.

Put one of your own phone numbers as a trusted number so that you can access the account in the event you cannot get the phone to work. Be sure you can sign in to that account from a browser before you sign out on the phone.

Couple thoughts. If you can successfully change the password, you should check into deleting the account once you are sure that you have everything the family might need from the account.

Not sure about why activation lock is triggering with the SIM

I am sorry for your loss.

 

[BigBlur]

If you're unable to get into the phone to remove the activation lock yourself. You can work with Apple to get it removed by showing proof of ownership. The original sales receipt from AT&T should work fine. I'm not sure if they do it in the stores anymore. They might direct you to their online form.

Activation Lock - Support

al-support.apple.com

One last question, can the AT&T SIM lock be removed making the phone unlocked to any network?

I'm surprised it's still SIM locked. AT&T automatically unlocks 60 days after activation, whether it's paid off or not. Maybe there was some other agreement. You would have to work with them to see what it takes to get it unlocked.

 

[jetsam]

AT&T automatically unlocks 60 days after activation, whether it's paid off or not.

That's not true. If a phone is on a payment plan with AT&T, the phone must be paid in full before it can be unlocked.

Learn How to Unlock AT&T Phones or Devices

Review the AT&T unlock policies for your account and device.

www.att.com

Your installment balance must be zero before unlocking.

 

[BigBlur]

That's not true. If a phone is on a payment plan with AT&T, the phone must be paid in full before it can be unlocked.

Learn How to Unlock AT&T Phones or Devices

Review the AT&T unlock policies for your account and device.

www.att.com

You're right, I was thinking of Verizon. I thought AT&T had a similar policy, but apparently not.