Apple Creates Tool to Check Activation Lock Status on iOS Devices

[MacRumors]

Apple has released a new Activation Lock Status tool (via iDownloadBlog) that will make it easier for people buying a used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to avoid getting a device that is locked to another user.

Accessible via iCloud.com, the Activation Lock Status Checker allows users to enter a Device IMEI or Serial number to check whether a device has Activation Lock turned on.

Activation Lock was introduced alongside iOS 7 and is designed to prevent iPhones and iPads from being stolen. When Find My iPhone is enabled, it effectively locks an iOS device to a user's Apple ID account, and even when wiped, the device will require the original Apple ID and password.

Activation Lock has cut down on iPhone-related thefts in major cities, but it has also affected users who purchase an iOS device used. If Activation Lock is enabled, a used iOS device will be entirely useless until unlocked by the original owner.

If an iOS device does have Activation Lock enabled, Apple's tool will give users a clear warning that an Apple ID and password will be required before another user can activate the device. It also provides instructions on how to remove Activation Lock from a used device, which requires contacting the previous owner.

Anyone who is purchasing or selling a used iOS device should find Apple's new tool very useful, as it can be used before a transaction takes place to ensure the iOS device will be usable by the new owner.

Article Link: Apple Creates Tool to Check Activation Lock Status on iOS Devices

 

[NY Guitarist]

Good job Apple.

 

[KyleC]

Awesome, how about a carrier unlock checker?

 

[PowerBook-G5]

Seems like a major score for Apple in the wake of all the -gates of the past few weeks. This will definitely help many people, the buyers to not get screwed over by buying a stolen phone and the sellers (to get screwed over for trying to sell stolen phones)

 

[Glassed Silver]

Very welcome addition.

I get my iDevices new from my carrier or elsewhere, but it's nice to know there's this little wall of worry torn down in case I or someone I help with purchasing a device needs/wants to buy a used one.

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[MisakixMikasa]

It would be nice that if Apple allows us access this site using iOS Safari. Tried on iPhone, but would not work on iOS Safari

 

[ZZ Bottom]

Great. Now how to educate the people who need it most?

 

[iamMacPerson]

Thats awesome Apple! Now I can buy used devices without being as worried as I have been. Now I just ask the seller for the serial or IMEI.

 

[batting1000]

How about they create a tool that checks for bugs in their software? Seems like they could use that.

 

[lordofthereef]

Great. Now how to educate the people who need it most?

Yeah, seriously. The people that are conned into buying a locked device won't be helped by this change.

 

[ZZ Bottom]

It would be nice that if Apple allows us access this site using iOS Safari. Tried on iPhone, but would not work on iOS Safari

Good question

 

[Glassed Silver]

Thats awesome Apple! Now I can buy used devices without being as worried as I have been. Now I just ask the seller for the serial or IMEI.

Regardless of this I'd always ask for the serial number AND IMEI before buying the device.

And get it on paper/written in digital, protocoled form. (e.g. through eBay Messages)

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[randyj]

Can't wait to check who is using my stolen ipad!!
Apple last year said they could not give out who was using it without a court order. Didn't care about the iPad being stolen, just the 10k of camera equipment that went with it...

 

[ngenerator]

.

 

[dannyyankou]

And it's working

http://9to5mac.com/2014/06/18/polic...as-helped-reduce-iphone-theft-in-some-cities/

 

[TechRemarker]

Eek that is one ugly page. Not very Apple. They must have had an intern whip that up very quickly.

 

[C DM]

And it only took a little over a year.

 

[definitive]

Isn't this tool easy to abuse though? Someone could potentially give out a legit number, while selling a device with another...

 

[eww7633]

Can't wait to check who is using my stolen ipad!!
Apple last year said they could not give out who was using it without a court order. Didn't care about the iPad being stolen, just the 10k of camera equipment that went with it...

This won't help you with that. This will just confirm whether activation lock is on or off, not what Apple ID has activated the lock.

 

[C DM]

Can't wait to check who is using my stolen ipad!!
Apple last year said they could not give out who was using it without a court order. Didn't care about the iPad being stolen, just the 10k of camera equipment that went with it...

Doesn't really seem that this would relate to that.

 

[Slix]

Glad to see this, gives us peace of mind when buying a used device online, for sure.

 

[macs4nw]

A dead-simple yet very effective solution. If it works reliably as advertised, this is a great tool to take some of the risk out of buying used iDevices. Could avoid a potentially expensive mistake.

 

[bengay]

Excellent tool. I hope Apple also provide carrier "Locked" or "Unlocked" information.

 

[AX338]

Owning a phone is so complicated nowadays.

 

[jwilson25]

Nice tools, this is good for checking a potential device purchase, as well as for selling you can show it to a buyer to prove you removed the activation lock on it.