Other I messed up - twice - trading in my father-in-law's iPhone– any help?

[Capeto]

So I traded in my father-in-law's iPhone directly with Apple for a newer model since my carrier had a good deal. I did it for him since I'm supposedly the technically competent one.

Well, I got the trade-in kit and I forgot to reset his old iPhone before sending it in. Probably a common enough concern, I get an email from Apple (bought it with my account) saying to remotely disable the Activation Lock. I log into Find My using my FIL's account, see the old iPhone there... and instead of erasing the iPhone remotely, I removed it from his list of devices 🤦‍♂️

So uh... what's next? From what I see, it won't appear there again until the device goes online, but if they're not able to get it online... am I out of luck? Did I screw up?

 

[laptech]

I think Apple will be sending you the phone back because they will be unable to unlock it.

 

[RRC]

Chances are they'll be returning it as laptech suggested above...

Guessing you've not told your FIL?

 

[chabig]

You're good. Removing it from his account disabled activation lock.

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

Learn what to do if you see the Activation Lock screen on your device, or if you're asked to remove Activation Lock on a device that's offline and not in your possession.

support.apple.com

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Just be sure you removed it from the FIND MY page - not the Settings page. If you see "iCloud: Settings" in the top left, you're in the wrong place. Removing it from that page will not help you. If you see "iCloud: Find My" and the phone isn't visible on the devices there (link at top center) - you should be golden 👍

 

[Andeddu]

If you’re the technically competent one I’d hate to see what he’s like 🤣…

Yeah, Apple are going to have to send the phone back to you as the activation lock can no longer be remotely disabled.

Your poor FIL will have no phone for quite a while longer than he initially thought.

 

[Saturn007]

Andeddu and others who predict Apple will return the phone… what about chabig's comment and linked Apple webpage?

 

[mebehere]

I’m afraid your only option is divorce. Just cut ties and run.

 

[kevcube]

you have removed find my and therefore activation lock from the phone. the company is now able to reset the phone using DFU mode and then it can be activated and used by whoever the next customer is. all good, unless the company is less than fully competent and needs to send it back to you. either way it should be fine

 

[Capeto]

Thank you all for your responses! It seems like removing the traded-in iPhone from my FIL's list of devices was enough for them to unlock it, and I got confirmation from Apple that the trade-in was successful.