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iPhone 12 New Unlocked iPhone asking for 6 digit passcode during setup

MacStreamer

MacStreamer

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 23, 2020
366
886
I bought my dad a brand new iPhone 12 unlocked from apple. He said the phone was sealed and when he powered it on, rather than going through the typical setup, it immediately asked for a 6 digit passcode for an ACTIVATION LOCK. I had him call Apple support. They made an appointment with Best Buy (nearest Apple store is 90 minutes away) and said they could fix it. Best Buy said they can't do anything and that Apple has to replace the phone, which is fine. I just have never heard of this happening before.

Is there any chance I can hook it up to my MacBook and restore this phone and hopefully use it or am I stuck just getting it replaced?
 
Maybe try a DFU restore.

DFU Restore - iFixit Support

To fix the issues with your device, we’re going to perform a DFU Restore. DFU stands for Device Firmware Update which reloads the software and the firmware of y
help.ifixit.com help.ifixit.com
 
Taz Mangus said:
Maybe try a DFU restore.

DFU Restore - iFixit Support

To fix the issues with your device, we’re going to perform a DFU Restore. DFU stands for Device Firmware Update which reloads the software and the firmware of y
help.ifixit.com help.ifixit.com
Click to expand...
If it has a PIN code, it almost certainly has an AppleID attached to it. DFU restore would eliminate the PIN code, but the device would then ask for the AppleID attached to it - so OP is still in the same spot. Of course, this may be erroneous and a one time fluke, but what are the odds on that?

How and why this sort of thing would happen with a new device, IDK.
 
When he powered it on, it had the white screen saying hello, then hola, etc. The only option was to swipe up, and that's when it said to enter the 6 digit passcode. You couldn't do anything else. It's past the return policy so hopefully Apple will replace it since it's under warranty.
 
MacStreamer said:
When he powered it on, it had the white screen saying hello, then hola, etc. The only option was to swipe up, and that's when it said to enter the 6 digit passcode. You couldn't do anything else. It's past the return policy so hopefully Apple will replace it since it's under warranty.
Click to expand...
How is the phone past return ability, if this problem occurred as soon as he opened it? It doesn't make sense that one would not have spoken to Apple on day 1 or 2, and made arrangements for a return.
 
Apple_Robert said:
How is the phone past return ability, if this problem occurred as soon as he opened it? It doesn't make sense that one would not have spoken to Apple on day 1 or 2, and made arrangements for a return.
Click to expand...
OP could have waited before giving the phone to his dad.
 
He has a physical sim from Verizon where they just got new service. From what I've read, Verizon only has 4 digit sim pins.
 
Apple_Robert said:
How is the phone past return ability, if this problem occurred as soon as he opened it? It doesn't make sense that one would not have spoken to Apple on day 1 or 2, and made arrangements for a return.
Click to expand...
My dad is 67 so he didn't immediately rip open the phone and do the setup. He waited until they were at the Verizon store to power it on and this was past 14 days.
 
MacStreamer said:
My dad is 67 so he didn't immediately rip open the phone and do the setup. He waited until they were at the Verizon store to power it on and this was past 14 days.
Click to expand...
That makes sense from a parent point of view. Sounds like something my dad would have done. lol

If the phone has AC+, you could ask for Express Replacement and Apple will ship a new phone overnight to him.
 
Believe me I strongly suggested he at least set it up with his Apple ID well before they went to Verizon. But.......

They are coming to visit in a couple of weeks so I'll have it in my possession. It's just a bizarre situation.

Are there any websites that at least tell you a phone is locked by using the IMEI info?
 
You can try iunlocker (just choose the iCloud option) it will let you know if find my iPhone is on. If it is then it’s iCloud locked. If it says off you can the restore it through iTunes by putting it in dfu mode
 
DiCaprioAngel said:
You can try iunlocker (just choose the iCloud option) it will let you know if find my iPhone is on. If it is then it’s iCloud locked. If it says off you can the restore it through iTunes by putting it in dfu mode
Click to expand...
find my iPhone is off. Swappa also says this phone is eligible for sale. So if he restores through iTunes, it should then be allowed to set up?
 
My Dad ended up having a PIN activate itself (so he says) after the upgrade to iOS 14. I reckon he set one when he first got the iPad, disabled it, then couldn't remember it when it re-activated itself. Apparently, iOS 14 did actually do that to some people.

Anyway, a DFU restore via iTunes was easy, quick, and fixed the problem.
 
Thanks. I'm going to attempt to walk him through it tomorrow over the phone.
 
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