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Apple Creates Tool to Check Activation Lock Status on iOS Devices
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I just tried myself and got the same results. That's so silly. They either need a app or make it available via iOS devices. It would be nice to be able to verify the device you're going to purchase right in front of the potential seller.
The crime is actually fraud. Perverting the course of justice is a different crime.
Are you talking about the screen lock or their Apple ID password?
If the forgot their screen lock code which they most likely used every day. Then that person is an idiot or not the owner of that device.
As for their Apple id... apple does give you tools to change your passwords like every other company out there. It's not rocket science.
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Hopefully ANYONE who buys a used device is smart enough to keep evidence (online correspondence/bill of sale) of their transaction as proof. And use that to report the person who can get in trouble for filing a false report. You can also use that to sue them in small claims
Use the Atomic Web browser app. I have mine set to identify browser as Firefox and I was able to access iCloud and use this tool just fine.
Use Atomic Web browser and in the settings identify the browser as Firefox. Then it will work. I've used that app in the past when I needed a desktop version of a site but Safari would redirect to the mobile version.
Whirldy, if you are using a developer beta of iOS 8.1 - this could be your problem. iCloud.com might not support the version of Safari on the unreleased OS. For the rest of you......Seriously??? Don't need another browser, Apple gave you the option to use Desktop sites in iOS 8 with Safari.
In mobile Safari do this:
- Tap in the url box and then swipe down.
- Tap "Request Desktop Site"
Result:
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I have to imagine this would fall under some type of corporate theft. By locking the company out of a device they own making it unusable i suspect the company would have some legal recourse.
Can't get this to work on ipad or iphone?
I wanted to check just before paying....
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How?
I swipe down and just get the calendar , events for day?
I wanted to check just before paying....
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How?
I swipe down and just get the calendar , events for day?
When I go to icloud.com it redirects to https://www.icloud.com/ipad_welcome/. Just tap in the address bar and then swipe down. You should see some thing that says "Request desktop site".
I agree. This is a much needed tool but if you have to take a laptop with you in order to check then it is lacking. Yes, you can ask for the numbers while at home and check but time will lapse between your check and the actual purchase. Even jist re-matching the numbers at the purchase site isn't fool-proof. To be really sure one needs to check immediately at purchase.
As another poster said, educating people will be really important. But adding the functionality to on a mobile device is really needed too. And that doesn't mean just in Safari, someone just might be buying an iOS device and only have another flavor of mobile device. This should be available to anyone, regardless of whether they have an Apple ID or own other Apple devices or have only a mobile device with them.
Great idea from Apple. Much needed but not a complete implementation.
Only works on ios 8 Safari?
I'm on 7. It does work with the icab browser if I set it to desktop mode.
My point was, and still is, that the vast majority of people that NEED this service probably won't know abut it. Often times sellers are weary about giving out info, such as IMEI, for God knows what reason. I have had people ask me why on earth I need a VIN when buying a car... It's a good start, nonetheless.
Checking iPhone's Activation Lock Status is good for buyer of used iPhone. What about the victim's of lost iPhone? I hope Apple will introduce a way for the owner of lost iPhone to enter the serial or IMEI number and claim the lost iPhone. Therefore the thief and the new buyer won't be able to activate the iPhone using any cell operator.
Not sure about serial number, but I'm not comfortable giving out IMEI during an auction. I've read that it's possible to clone phones given a clean IMEI, and then the phone you are trying to sell is useless. Again, not sure how likely this is, but I'd rather not take a chance. I'm happy to give the buyer the IMEI after they've won the auction and before I ship if they want to check it out.
Wouldn't a seller be able to just message you a non-locked IMEI and serial number, but send you a different phone? I could imagine people may become hesitant to provide this information for fear of it being used this way (for whatever reason).
Either way this will probably help reduce the value of these stolen phones, and presumably a good bit of the sales (assuming this catches on and people actually know about it).
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I can't believe it never occured to me to access icloud that way. It has always bothered me that the mobile version of the website is basically useless unless you are a new user to icloud.
Either way this will probably help reduce the value of these stolen phones, and presumably a good bit of the sales (assuming this catches on and people actually know about it).
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I can't believe it never occured to me to access icloud that way. It has always bothered me that the mobile version of the website is basically useless unless you are a new user to icloud.
Just adding my voice to the chorus of people saying how shortsighted this was to have this activation lock status tool that doesn't work on mobile Safari. SMH
Or they could, you know, roll this out to work out-of-the-box with the millions of iOS devices already out there, and not make people go through some kludgey workaround, like something straight out of a TechNet article.
Or they could, you know, roll this out to work out-of-the-box with the millions of iOS devices already out there, and not make people go through some kludgey workaround, like something straight out of a TechNet article.
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In person it's always been easy
I keep my cell phone costs as low as possible by staying off-contract and buying used unlocked phones for $250-$300. I'm on T-Mobiles value plan and, with my loyalty discount, pay about $85 for 4 lines plus one iPad.
I've bought several iPhones locally off CraigsList. Never had an issue.
I always start the phone up and physically check Settings to verify that Find My iPhone is not active - or I get them to deactivate it. I also pop the SIM card from my phone (or a new one) in to make sure it works with my carrier (T-Mo). Pretty easy to do this, if it's local and in-person.
On one ocassion I also met the guy in the Apple store (with a Genius appointment) and had them run a check on the battery!
I keep my cell phone costs as low as possible by staying off-contract and buying used unlocked phones for $250-$300. I'm on T-Mobiles value plan and, with my loyalty discount, pay about $85 for 4 lines plus one iPad.
I've bought several iPhones locally off CraigsList. Never had an issue.
I always start the phone up and physically check Settings to verify that Find My iPhone is not active - or I get them to deactivate it. I also pop the SIM card from my phone (or a new one) in to make sure it works with my carrier (T-Mo). Pretty easy to do this, if it's local and in-person.
On one ocassion I also met the guy in the Apple store (with a Genius appointment) and had them run a check on the battery!
Doesn't quite work when going to the tool at https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/ which redirects to browser not supported page.
How do I know when buying a used phone that Find my iPhone is deactivated from sellers account?