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Other Turns out Apple CAN remove activation lock

Rezaaaaa said:
The email that I used as an apple ID to set up my iphone is exactly my name,surname and the year of my birthday,can it be a proof to unlock my iphone?
I also have the password of that email which is gmail.
Click to expand...
No. They will only address it with some form of proof of purchase. So an invoice, receipt, or sales slip showing the iPhone purchase.

If you don't have proof of this, you likely are out of luck. Your email, appleID, or similar things do not prove that you own the device.
 
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AppleFan360 said:
So I had an interesting situation occur when I was preparing to sell my iPhone 6S.

When I received my new iPhone 7, I followed the usual procedure to switch from the iPhone 6S to the iPhone 7:

1. Backup iPhone 6S to iTunes
2. Turn off find my iPhone (this removes the activation lock)
3. Place the in Airplane mode and turn the power off.

After following this procedure, I set the iPhone 6S aside and migrated to the iPhone 7. I do this every year so I'm very diligent and knowledgeable about the process.

A few days later something weird happened. I turned on the iPhone 6S after being off for 2 days. I plugged it into iTunes to do a full restore and at the same time unlock the phone (after contacting AT&T). After the restore I was greeted with the activation lock screen with a completely different e-mail address associated with the phone. This did not make any sense. The phone was turned off and my screen lock code was still active so nobody would have been able to pick up the phone and get into it. Besides, the phone was in a safe place and nobody even touched it for 2 days.

I immediately contacted Apple and explained the situation. I provided proof that I purchased the phone from them. They were very nice about it and said they would elevate the ticket up to higher management.

A few days later they contacted me and said that after reviewing the documentation, they (Apple) removed the activation lock so I was now free to sell the phone.

I don't really know what happened but my guess is that someone at Apple was messing with activating someone else and "fat fingered" the IMEI. Either that or there was a hack at some point. Who knows.

I have read numerous times on this forum and other places on the web that Apple is unable to remove the activation lock on any iPhone. Well my friends, this simply is not true. Apple can do it and this is proof.
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1503759147][/doublepost]The same thing happened to me. I had locked myself out of my phone and did a reset with iTunes and there was an email for activation lock. I got stuck because I had just made that iCloud and forgot it. So I called apple and I was told to bring the proof of purchase. So I went to the T-Mobile store to get my receipt for the phone and my dad had to be there since he's the account holder and he paid for the phone. So we went to an Apple Store and waited for our turn, explained our problem and a technician took a look at the receipt took he phone to the back and about 30 minutes later he gave me my phone brand new.
 
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I wonder if Apple's done anything to help prevent this or will do anything on the hardware level to make it more difficult in the future. They surely know it's happening.

The reason this happens is due to Chinese criminals spoofing serial numbers on locked devices in order to remove the activation lock. Which works fine at first, but once a clash occurs (two devices using the same serial number) you see this problem with the device getting activation locked to a "random" Apple ID.

Here's a video showing how they do it:


Considering the control Apple has over their SoC's and how security conscious they are I can imagine them putting the serial number in the secure enclave to make it impossible to rewrite in future hardware, but this still won't address those who are actively doing this on older devices.

I also wonder if the same works in reverse, i.e. if whoever owns the stolen spoofed device gets randomly locked out as well. Likely the answer is yes. If that makes you feel happy. Karma!

Ultimately Apple needs to both make it much harder to rewrite the serial number on their hardware and change how their servers handle duplicate serial numbers to fully address this issue.
 
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They CAN...but sometimes they WON't....with NO EXPLANATION!!



Apple is unable to complete your request to disable Activation Lock.

We will not be able to review additional requests or documentation associated with this device.

For more information on Activation Lock and iCloud terms and conditions, see these pages:

https://support.apple.com/HT201365

https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/icloud/en/terms.html



Thank you,

Apple Support
​

My husband drove to the Best Buy we purchased our iPad from 4 years ago to get the full receipt from them. We confirmed with Apple it had everything they needed. After months of submitting it through their upload, we'd call back a few days later, and they'd either say we needed to resend the proof of purchase or that it hadn't been forwarded to the right people. Well finally I got them to forward it to the right people, and I received the above response tonight. This is unacceptable. I think we are officially done with Apple products.
 
Assuming you have your proof of purchase and full evidence that the device is yours, I would file a small claims court action agains Apple for the value of a new iPad, explain to the judge the issue showing him the article in Macrumors and the proof you own it. You have a good chance of prevailing or Apple settling this when they realize you are in the right. I had an iPhone 6 with the issue, however a visit to the Apple store where I purchased it, solved it.




quiarga said:
They CAN...but sometimes they WON't....with NO EXPLANATION!!



Apple is unable to complete your request to disable Activation Lock.

We will not be able to review additional requests or documentation associated with this device.

For more information on Activation Lock and iCloud terms and conditions, see these pages:

https://support.apple.com/HT201365

https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/icloud/en/terms.html



Thank you,

Apple Support
​

My husband drove to the Best Buy we purchased our iPad from 4 years ago to get the full receipt from them. We confirmed with Apple it had everything they needed. After months of submitting it through their upload, we'd call back a few days later, and they'd either say we needed to resend the proof of purchase or that it hadn't been forwarded to the right people. Well finally I got them to forward it to the right people, and I received the above response tonight. This is unacceptable. I think we are officially done with Apple products.
Click to expand...
 
I have never had a doubt that Apple could unlock the activation lock.:cool:

Now our government has it which means everyone does.:(

So if someone really want to get in your phone, it will just cost some money!o_O
 
quiarga said:
They CAN...but sometimes they WON't....with NO EXPLANATION!!



Apple is unable to complete your request to disable Activation Lock.

We will not be able to review additional requests or documentation associated with this device.

For more information on Activation Lock and iCloud terms and conditions, see these pages:

https://support.apple.com/HT201365

https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/icloud/en/terms.html



Thank you,

Apple Support
​

My husband drove to the Best Buy we purchased our iPad from 4 years ago to get the full receipt from them. We confirmed with Apple it had everything they needed. After months of submitting it through their upload, we'd call back a few days later, and they'd either say we needed to resend the proof of purchase or that it hadn't been forwarded to the right people. Well finally I got them to forward it to the right people, and I received the above response tonight. This is unacceptable. I think we are officially done with Apple products.
Click to expand...

Was there a reason why you didn’t take proof of purchase to the Apple Store instead ?
 
Last edited:
Newtons Apple said:
I have never had a doubt that Apple could unlock the activation lock.:cool:

Now our government has it which means everyone does.:(

So if someone really want to get in your phone, it will just cost some money!o_O
Click to expand...
Activation lock isn't really about getting into someone else's phone (at least not in the sense of getting to their data). And how does government have something to deal with activation lock?
 
Newtons Apple said:
They bought the technology from the Israelis a few years of two ago.

If our government has it, it is already stolen and in the wrong hands.
Click to expand...
I might be off here, but as I recall, I don't think that has to do with activation lock as much as it has to do with the actual passcode lock on a device, which are fairly separate/different things.
 
C DM said:
I might be off here, but as I recall, I don't think that has to do with activation lock as much as it has to do with the actual passcode lock on a device, which are fairly separate/different things.
Click to expand...

You are correct.
It was the passcode lock that was defeated.
Activation lock is controlled by Apple's own servers.
 
Gjwilly said:
You are correct.
It was the passcode lock that was defeated.
Activation lock is controlled by Apple's own servers.
Click to expand...
And even there I believe the passcode bypass method only applies to certain (older) models of iOS devices, limiting its use. But, yeah, that's separate and different from activation lock.
 
AppleFan360 said:
So I had an interesting situation occur when I was preparing to sell my iPhone 6S.

When I received my new iPhone 7, I followed the usual procedure to switch from the iPhone 6S to the iPhone 7:

1. Backup iPhone 6S to iTunes
2. Turn off find my iPhone (this removes the activation lock)
3. Place the in Airplane mode and turn the power off.

After following this procedure, I set the iPhone 6S aside and migrated to the iPhone 7. I do this every year so I'm very diligent and knowledgeable about the process.

A few days later something weird happened. I turned on the iPhone 6S after being off for 2 days. I plugged it into iTunes to do a full restore and at the same time unlock the phone (after contacting AT&T). After the restore I was greeted with the activation lock screen with a completely different e-mail address associated with the phone. This did not make any sense. The phone was turned off and my screen lock code was still active so nobody would have been able to pick up the phone and get into it. Besides, the phone was in a safe place and nobody even touched it for 2 days.

I immediately contacted Apple and explained the situation. I provided proof that I purchased the phone from them. They were very nice about it and said they would elevate the ticket up to higher management.

A few days later they contacted me and said that after reviewing the documentation, they (Apple) removed the activation lock so I was now free to sell the phone.

I don't really know what happened but my guess is that someone at Apple was messing with activating someone else and "fat fingered" the IMEI. Either that or there was a hack at some point. Who knows.

I have read numerous times on this forum and other places on the web that Apple is unable to remove the activation lock on any iPhone. Well my friends, this simply is not true. Apple can do it and this is proof.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am an actual technician. Apple can remove it. It’s called a FMIL removal. You just need to provide POP (proof of purchase) and it goes off to the activation lock team.

However, it is not possible for Apple to have accidentally added or “fat fingered” the “wrong IMEI or serial number to the wrong Apple ID”. There is no way to remotely add and turn on “find my iPhone” to an Apple ID. By the consumer or by Apple. Just like when people lose their phone or if it’s stolen they want to be able to locate it but, they never turned on Find my iPhone....there is no way for them to turn it on remotely or after the fact. So, if they didn’t have it turned on and their phone was stolen...then they are SOL.

Someone absolutely had to of signed into that Apple ID that you did not recognize at some point from that specific device itself. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY. Apple can’t even do it remotely. This I can ABSOLUTELY assure you. While I am not allowed to say who I work for I can assure you that they could not have been the ones who did it.
Additionally, it is not possible to remotely “hack” an iPhone. Apple’s encryption process is out of the world. The only way to obtain information “remotely” is to 1. Download a 3rd party app like Dog watch or something OR 2. through the Apple ID in which case you’d have to know the Apple ID password.

Apple has NO backdoor. If you don’t know what that is then I will explain it like this: think of a brick house...if there are NO doors or windows then there’s no way to get in. That’s an Apple product. That’s why Apple refused when the FBI wanted apple to create the backdoor similar to any Android or Windows PC product. PC Has a backdoor, which is why they’re so vulnerable to real true “hacking”, adware, malware and even just garbage. Think of their “houses” having doors and windows. They might be secured with locks or “alarm systems” BUT someone can still break a “windows” or kick in a door.

This is precisely why Apple DOES NOT and WILL NOT ever, ever, ever create the backdoor. Their customers privacy and security is taken very seriously. So much so that even the ownerthemselves can get locked out. I know I would much rather own Apple products over any other company ANY DAY! If it’s tough for me to get into my own products if I FORGET MY PASSWORDS etc...then I know Apple is someone to trust and respect. You have to be able to prove that you’re the one who purchased that device and then, they are more than happy to remove the FMIL from that said device.
 
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ashjerz07 said:
Yes, I am an actual technician. Apple can remove it. It’s called a FMIL removal. You just need to provide POP (proof of purchase) and it goes off to the activation lock team.

However, it is not possible for Apple to have accidentally added or “fat fingered” the “wrong IMEI or serial number to the wrong Apple ID”. There is no way to remotely add and turn on “find my iPhone” to an Apple ID. By the consumer or by Apple. Just like when people lose their phone or if it’s stolen they want to be able to locate it but, they never turned on Find my iPhone....there is no way for them to turn it on remotely or after the fact. So, if they didn’t have it turned on and their phone was stolen...then they are SOL.

Someone absolutely had to of signed into that Apple ID that you did not recognize at some point from that specific device itself. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY. Apple can’t even do it remotely. This I can ABSOLUTELY assure you. While I am not allowed to say who I work for I can assure you that they could not have been the ones who did it.
Additionally, it is not possible to remotely “hack” an iPhone. Apple’s encryption process is out of the world. The only way to obtain information “remotely” is to 1. Download a 3rd party app like Dog watch or something OR 2. through the Apple ID in which case you’d have to know the Apple ID password.

Apple has NO backdoor. If you don’t know what that is then I will explain it like this: think of a brick house...if there are NO doors or windows then there’s no way to get in. That’s an Apple product. That’s why Apple refused when the FBI wanted apple to create the backdoor similar to any Android or Windows PC product. PC Has a backdoor, which is why they’re so vulnerable to real true “hacking”, adware, malware and even just garbage. Think of their “houses” having doors and windows. They might be secured with locks or “alarm systems” BUT someone can still break a “windows” or kick in a door.

This is precisely why Apple DOES NOT and WILL NOT ever, ever, ever create the backdoor. Their customers privacy and security is taken very seriously. So much so that even the ownerthemselves can get locked out. I know I would much rather own Apple products over any other company ANY DAY! If it’s tough for me to get into my own products if I FORGET MY PASSWORDS etc...then I know Apple is someone to trust and respect. You have to be able to prove that you’re the one who purchased that device and then, they are more than happy to remove the FMIL from that said device.
Click to expand...

Your pop mention matches what I went through when my previous iPhone 6 and iPad Air were found to be locked 1 morning when eventually Apple kindly unlocked both devices after a few calls.
Getting the pop from same network provider was the time consuming part though got there eventually.
 
ashjerz07 said:
Someone absolutely had to of signed into that Apple ID that you did not recognize at some point from that specific device itself. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY.
Click to expand...
Sorry, don't believe this for a second. The phone was completely in my control at all times and it was purchased new. Remember, this has happened to others so there is obviously something wrong on Apple's end. The consumer is not always at fault and Apple, like other companies, is not perfect.
 
Did they charge you to unlock the iphone? And another thing is that I forgot my password and email so idk what will they tell me please reply I need help.
 
AppleFan360 said:
So I had an interesting situation occur when I was preparing to sell my iPhone 6S.

When I received my new iPhone 7, I followed the usual procedure to switch from the iPhone 6S to the iPhone 7:

1. Backup iPhone 6S to iTunes
2. Turn off find my iPhone (this removes the activation lock)
3. Place the in Airplane mode and turn the power off.

After following this procedure, I set the iPhone 6S aside and migrated to the iPhone 7. I do this every year so I'm very diligent and knowledgeable about the process.

A few days later something weird happened. I turned on the iPhone 6S after being off for 2 days. I plugged it into iTunes to do a full restore and at the same time unlock the phone (after contacting AT&T). After the restore I was greeted with the activation lock screen with a completely different e-mail address associated with the phone. This did not make any sense. The phone was turned off and my screen lock code was still active so nobody would have been able to pick up the phone and get into it. Besides, the phone was in a safe place and nobody even touched it for 2 days.

I immediately contacted Apple and explained the situation. I provided proof that I purchased the phone from them. They were very nice about it and said they would elevate the ticket up to higher management.

A few days later they contacted me and said that after reviewing the documentation, they (Apple) removed the activation lock so I was now free to sell the phone.

I don't really know what happened but my guess is that someone at Apple was messing with activating someone else and "fat fingered" the IMEI. Either that or there was a hack at some point. Who knows.

I have read numerous times on this forum and other places on the web that Apple is unable to remove the activation lock on any iPhone. Well my friends, this simply is not true. Apple can do it and this is proof.
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1515778680][/doublepost]I provided proof purchase to them , but they did nothing but suspect ion I stole the phone. Please help me
[doublepost=1515778720][/doublepost]
Joseph is like awesome said:
Did they charge you to unlock the iphone? And another thing is that I forgot my password and email so idk what will they tell me please reply I need help.
Click to expand...
 
marvinBS98 said:
[doublepost=1515778680][/doublepost]I provided proof purchase to them , but they did nothing but suspect ion I stole the phone. Please help me
[doublepost=1515778720][/doublepost]
Click to expand...
If you have proof of purchase how can they suspect something else?
 
C DM said:
If you have proof of purchase how can they suspect something else?
Click to expand...
That's what I'm confused about, and they said I try to logged out the Apple ID multiple times so they won't remove the activation lock for me.help
 
marvinBS98 said:
That's what I'm confused about, and they said I try to logged out the Apple ID multiple times so they won't remove the activation lock for me.help
Click to expand...
There's nothing anyone here can do about any of it, only Apple can help. Try contacting a manager or someone else.
 
Newtons Apple said:
I have never had a doubt that Apple could unlock the activation lock.:cool:

Now our government has it which means everyone does.:(

So if someone really want to get in your phone, it will just cost some money!o_O
Click to expand...

Do you even understand that you don't understand the discussion that your are commenting on?

"Activation Lock" has nothing to do with breaking into iPhone encryption.
 
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