iOS 7.0 Activation lock works 100%

[TheKrs1]

If I understand properly; activation lock works in the "activation" process when a new device is set up. Aren't people currently intercepting this check by editing their hosts file and spoofing the apple servers?

Can someone try activation lock on computer that already has the host file blocking itunes from connecting to apple? Will the device activate, or will it demand a connection.

Anyone weigh in on the probablilty of someone creating a local host that can spoof Apple's server to tell the phone it's ok to activate?

 

[E2EK1EL]

Not sure if I like that last line. It's great that someone else will never be able to use the phone again. At the same time, corporate iPhone owners would want to remove their company data off the phone before it falls into someone else's hand.

btw "never to wipe your iPhone from iCould" did you mean remote wipe from iCloud or remove the device from your list of trusted devices?

Here's the screenshot when you erase your phone.




Remote wipe from iCloud web or app

For now that host file modification is for firmware signing. Maybe later someone could make one for the activation lock, but it looks like it's really tied in with your Apple ID acount.

Activation lock needs any type of connection to the web, maybe it iTunes, cellular data or Wifi.

 

[jpepe07]

So, if you restored the Iphone to factory settings, you`ll still need the icloud´s account from the old owner, when you tried to activate the iphone again?

 

[Krevnik]

So, if you restored the Iphone to factory settings, you`ll still need the icloud´s account from the old owner, when you tried to activate the iphone again?

If they used the "Erase All Content and Reset Settings" option in the settings, then it removes the phone from their iCloud account and can be reactivated on anyone's account.

If they didn't use that option then you will need the account information in order to reactivate it.

 

[SUX2BU85]

I just wanted to point out that anything can be hacked, no matter how good you think it is. There's always someone out there that can bypass. Eventually someone will be able to get around this iOS 7.0 lock. just saying.

 

[Krevnik]

I just wanted to point out that anything can be hacked, no matter how good you think it is. There's always someone out there that can bypass. Eventually someone will be able to get around this iOS 7.0 lock. just saying.

The goal of this is not to be unhackable, but be strong enough that it takes too much investment to break for the benefit you get. Like all encryption and security techniques, really. It isn't a good argument to pretty much say 'it will stop working eventually, so why bother?' If we did that with war time communications, for example, that would be very bad.

A random snatcher isn't going to crack this by themselves. Someone who can crack it needs to be motivated enough to find the chinks in the armor, either by money or prestige. It isn't until that happens that random snatchers can resell these stolen devices. That is the deterrent there. It reduces the value of the devices to a healthy subset of thieves, and thus having an effect on the theft rate. That is the whole point.

 

[charlituna]

Edit: I think if someone is able to load up iOS 6.1, perhaps this will be ineffective. But you know apple servers will block out 6.1.X when iOS 7 is ready. So it's basically a very effective anti-theft security measure!

Nope. As discovered during the iOS 7 beta period, the lock sticks even if you downgrade to 6. Unless you sort out a way to bypass Apple's servers but that generally requires jailbreaking etc and creating blobs which would be on your computer so not avail to the guy that swiped it.

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sooooo...what if many people don't remember their own passwords? (it's totally possible).

is it then a brick? or can it be restored somehow at the Apple Store? (you have proven that this really is your phone. you registered your name to the serial, etc.)

Generally the only way to get around the lock is with the credentials. Apple's servers are set so they can't swap devices if the lock is on. so that isn't a solution either.

Registration etc is no good because of the used phone market. You might have bought it and registered it and sold it to me, with the lock still on. Legally I now own it but Apple would have no proof of that.

I've heard some of the big institutions have profiles with Apple on leased items or big buys that gives them what they know to get the deets (something they can set up they use Configurator perhaps?) but for the average user it's a no go without that log in

 

[mKTank]

Nope. As discovered during the iOS 7 beta period, the lock sticks even if you downgrade to 6. Unless you sort out a way to bypass Apple's servers but that generally requires jailbreaking etc and creating blobs which would be on your computer so not avail to the guy that swiped it.

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Generally the only way to get around the lock is with the credentials. Apple's servers are set so they can't swap devices if the lock is on. so that isn't a solution either.

Registration etc is no good because of the used phone market. You might have bought it and registered it and sold it to me, with the lock still on. Legally I now own it but Apple would have no proof of that.

I've heard some of the big institutions have profiles with Apple on leased items or big buys that gives them what they know to get the deets (something they can set up they use Configurator perhaps?) but for the average user it's a no go without that log in

I thought 6.x didn't even have activation lock...

I'm pretty sure 6.x would still work on a locked phone.

 

[C DM]

I thought 6.x didn't even have activation lock...

I'm pretty sure 6.x would still work on a locked phone.

It doesn't have it, but if iOS 7 was installed before with activation lock enabled, then when you downgrade to iOS 6 there's still a piece of that activation lock that's present at the beginning right before activation/setup for iOS 6.

 

[E2EK1EL]

It doesn't have it, but if iOS 7 was installed before with activation lock enabled, then when you downgrade to iOS 6 there's still a piece of that activation lock that's present at the beginning right before activation/setup for iOS 6.

Correct, the activation unlocking has to be done through iTunes.

Anything that requires a status check through Apple's servers is almost impossible to hack, software and proxy SIM unlocking doesn't solve the issue of permanent unlocking the phone.

Starting in iOS 4.3, your iOS build has to match your baseband ver or it will put it in infinite boot and neither Recboot or Tinyumberella can kick out anymore.

 

[georgeNa]

I'm currently running iOS6 on my iPhone 4. I've ordered an IMEI unlock a week ago and can't wait until it's done and then I'm able to update to iOS7.

It's necessary because I've got my phone from the US and I've been using it with gevey..

I've had this phone for 2.5 years ago, updated, restored, jailbroken...many times.

If I update it to iOS7 it may happen to screw me up if it's still listed in the previous owner's iCloud account? Obviously it's absolutely no way to track him/her down to contact..

 

[charlituna]

If I update it to iOS7 it may happen to screw me up if it's still listed in the previous owner's iCloud account? Obviously it's absolutely no way to track him/her down to contact..

It will kick in using whatever iCloud is currently on device at time of the upgrade to iOS 7. So make sure it's is yours, or none before you do it

 

[georgeNa]

It will kick in using whatever iCloud is currently on device at time of the upgrade to iOS 7. So make sure it's is yours, or none before you do it

Is there any way to make this sure? I was checking some usually 1$ services. But I'm a bit confused about those reliability. Especially if these are the one that I need.

 

[Tumbleweed666]

Can George in post 110 check now by setting it up in icloud and see what happens? Icloud was still there at ios 6 right? I forget now.

 

[georgeNa]

Can George in post 110 check now by setting it up in icloud and see what happens? Icloud was still there at ios 6 right? I forget now.

I'm sorry, I don understand your reply nor that post 110.
I've been using this phone since iOS5, bought it with iOS4 but right after updated. And that's my problem that the 4 had already Find my iPhone service

 

[charlituna]

Is there any way to make this sure? I was checking some usually 1$ services. But I'm a bit confused about those reliability. Especially if these are the one that I need.

iCloud and carrier unlocking are two different things. And trust me if you take a device that is on iOS 6, delete the iCloud log in (if it isn't yours) and update iOS 7 there are no issues. Because the account tracking doesn't kick in for activation lock until a device is on iOS 7. And only on the iCloud on it or logged into it.

The system was even set up that if, after updating to 7, you log out of iCloud, that lock is broken. So folks can sell used phones

 

[Naor]

My iPhone 5 was stolen 10 days ago with this feature on and since then it was never located again... Why? Isn't it obvious that they can't use the phone? Why can't I locate it anymore? The phone is supposed to be bricked and I can't believe they just put it in the trash

 

[freemannnn]

iOS 7.0 Activation lock works 100%

My iPhone 5 was stolen 10 days ago with this feature on and since then it was never located again... Why? Isn't it obvious that they can't use the phone? Why can't I locate it anymore? The phone is supposed to be bricked and I can't believe they just put it in the trash

Maybe if you sent a message in the iphone that is useless to them and you are offering a payment to give it back....!!!!

 

[minimo3]

My iPhone 5 was stolen 10 days ago with this feature on and since then it was never located again... Why? Isn't it obvious that they can't use the phone? Why can't I locate it anymore? The phone is supposed to be bricked and I can't believe they just put it in the trash

They probably turned it off and tried to sell it to an unsuspecting buyer on craigslist

 

[georgeNa]

iCloud and carrier unlocking are two different things. And trust me if you take a device that is on iOS 6, delete the iCloud log in (if it isn't yours) and update iOS 7 there are no issues. Because the account tracking doesn't kick in for activation lock until a device is on iOS 7. And only on the iCloud on it or logged into it.

The system was even set up that if, after updating to 7, you log out of iCloud, that lock is broken. So folks can sell used phones

Yes, I'm aware of that carrier unlock (I ordered) and iCloud unlock are different. I just started to browse the web and there are some people offering a service to check this FindMyiPhone on/off check. Thought that could be useful for me but it would only show the current state and since I'm the owner/user of it, its useless information.

The point is that I can update to iOS7 with no worries. It doesn't matter if it's linked to another iCloud account (if it is!!) by the previous owner from 3 years ago.
Thank you!