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Users Report Some iPhone 7 and 6s Models Activation Locked With Wrong Apple IDs

Similar story; bought a new iPhone 7 Plus to replace a 6s Plus that I purchased new via T-Mobile. Disabled Find My iPhone and reset the 6s+. Double checked that it wasn't activation locked. Sent it into Apple Recycle. They sent it back to me saying it was Activation locked. When I got it back it was activation locked with an icloud.com username that wasn't me. Called Apple. Their logs show my removing it from FMIp and then this icloud.com account mysteriously shows up. Jumped through the hoops to provide Apple with the proof of purchase, and they unlocked it 1 day later. That same day I verified that it was unlocked and powered it down. That was last week. I picked it yesterday and powered it up for the 1st time since verifying it was unlocked last week, and it is now activation locked AGAIN by the same icloud account - not me. Called Apple again yesterday and escalated, saying I need a permanent fix. The Senior Advisor I spoke with tells me their records show my iPhone 6s Plus last had iOS 8.x on it. This is a 6s Plus, it came with iOS 9.x - it never had 8.x on it. It actually had iOS 10.x on it when it was last reset. I escalated further and asked for a replacement phone. I was told that Apple couldn't replace a phone that was activation locked.....


Hello Google Pixel XL!
 
zvolts said:
Similar story; bought a new iPhone 7 Plus to replace a 6s Plus that I purchased new via T-Mobile. Disabled Find My iPhone and reset the 6s+. Double checked that it wasn't activation locked. Sent it into Apple Recycle. They sent it back to me saying it was Activation locked. When I got it back it was activation locked with an icloud.com username that wasn't me. Called Apple. Their logs show my removing it from FMIp and then this icloud.com account mysteriously shows up. Jumped through the hoops to provide Apple with the proof of purchase, and they unlocked it 1 day later. That same day I verified that it was unlocked and powered it down. That was last week. I picked it yesterday and powered it up for the 1st time since verifying it was unlocked last week, and it is now activation locked AGAIN by the same icloud account - not me. Called Apple again yesterday and escalated, saying I need a permanent fix. The Senior Advisor I spoke with tells me their records show my iPhone 6s Plus last had iOS 8.x on it. This is a 6s Plus, it came with iOS 9.x - it never had 8.x on it. It actually had iOS 10.x on it when it was last reset. I escalated further and asked for a replacement phone. I was told that Apple couldn't replace a phone that was activation locked.....


Hello Google Pixel XL!
Click to expand...


"The Senior Advisor I spoke with tells me their records show my iPhone 6s Plus last had iOS 8.x on it."

That does it for me... proof positive that legit SN/IMEI information can be "plugged" into a stolen/lost device and circumvent iCloud security at will. Again - if your selling an Apple device, protect yourself and your buyer by not displaying the SN/IMEI in any photos.
 
Here's what I've done so that I can sell my old iPhone's without worry....

1. Activation Lock the phone to a new/unused iCloud account that I've dedicated to the phones I'm selling. This way, there's no possible way that I'll mess up my own account with zombie-phones.
2. DFU restore the device to the latest iOS. This keeps the phone locked while ALSO doing a factory restore on the phone.
3. Leave the phone LOCKED -- sell it. I include a hand-written note for the new owner to call me or email me, and that I'll unlock the phone immediately for them. I explain why I've done it, and mention the issues I and others have had.
4. When they call, I tell them to insert their SIM, and go through the setup. Meanwhile, I **REMOVE** the phone from the Find my iPhone app at iCloud.com. That deactivates Activation Lock.
5. I also include copies of all proof of purchase and copies of any repair authorizations that were done at Apple to show the serial # changes over time, etc.. Also, so that in the future, if the phone becomes locked again, they can get it unlocked.

Problem solved. It's still a pain, but, at least it's something I can proactively do to prevent the phone from arriving in a locked state that I can't resolve in 5 minutes....
 
zvolts said:
Similar story; bought a new iPhone 7 Plus to replace a 6s Plus that I purchased new via T-Mobile. Disabled Find My iPhone and reset the 6s+. Double checked that it wasn't activation locked. Sent it into Apple Recycle. They sent it back to me saying it was Activation locked. When I got it back it was activation locked with an icloud.com username that wasn't me. Called Apple. Their logs show my removing it from FMIp and then this icloud.com account mysteriously shows up. Jumped through the hoops to provide Apple with the proof of purchase, and they unlocked it 1 day later. That same day I verified that it was unlocked and powered it down. That was last week. I picked it yesterday and powered it up for the 1st time since verifying it was unlocked last week, and it is now activation locked AGAIN by the same icloud account - not me. Called Apple again yesterday and escalated, saying I need a permanent fix. The Senior Advisor I spoke with tells me their records show my iPhone 6s Plus last had iOS 8.x on it. This is a 6s Plus, it came with iOS 9.x - it never had 8.x on it. It actually had iOS 10.x on it when it was last reset. I escalated further and asked for a replacement phone. I was told that Apple couldn't replace a phone that was activation locked.....


Hello Google Pixel XL!
Click to expand...

And back to activation lock again today, for the 3rd time, with the same bogus iCloud account. The latest senior advisor says it shows that iOS 8.x is loaded again. And again they won't send a new phone (it's covered under AppleCare Plus) because it is activation locked, an improper lock that they acknowledge I, the owner of the phone, am not enabling.

What is it called when somebody denies you the use of your own property?
 
I just sold a 6s that _was_ reported as being not activation locked at the time of shipping, but in transit the Apple website shows it as being activation locked. It's going to be delivered today and I am really not excited to deal with this.

Has anyone had any luck getting a device unlocked over the phone immediately? I was able to take my phone into the Apple store and have then unlock it right there, but I shipped it across the USA, which will make that not possible.

This is so f*king frustrating.
 
I agree that there is definitely some way that these genuine serial numbers have been cloned into other phones (presumably iPhones, but possibly clones). There are two main things that concern me:

1: Do the counterfeiters need to find other peoples' legit serial numbers? In the video posted earlier in the thread, it seems that any desired number can be programmed into that chip. If they can pluck a number out of the air and put it into the phone, then it might be very bad luck that some phones are now clashing.
2: Is the IMEI even used for an activation lock? As iPods and some iPads don't have cellular capabilities yet can be locked, I assume not.

I currently have a new 6s purchased directly from Apple that is waiting for the carrier to send me the SIM. The longer it takes, the more worried that someone will take the serial number before I can lock it to myself.
 
I have a locked iPhone 6S Plus, but when I check with Verizon the IMEI is clean. I don't know if its an Apple security flaw or what. Waiting to hear back from AppleCare to see what they are going to do about it.
 
Checked my iphone this AM. AppleCare apparently unlocked it. I put my iCloud account on it right away along with a passcode. I will only take off when someone else buys it and I see them put their ID in it. I will not sell on eBay. Thank s for taking care of this AppleCare,. I just wish I knew exactly how this happened so it won't happen again. Was it a security flaw or did someone actually hijack it?????
 
This happened to my iPhone 6S as well. Didn't realize they're getting relocked so quickly. Hopefully might gets to the recycler before it's relocked.
 
DAX52 said:
I have a locked iPhone 6S Plus, but when I check with Verizon the IMEI is clean. I don't know if its an Apple security flaw or what. Waiting to hear back from AppleCare to see what they are going to do about it.
Click to expand...

As long as you have the original receipt they should be able to unlock the phone for you.
 
Yeah I ended up taking it to an Apple Store with my receipt and they unlocked it. Such a pain in the tail though.
[doublepost=1478195236][/doublepost]
ZhenyaF said:
Has anyone tried to do this without a sales receipt?

I bought my phone second hand
Click to expand...

Yah I did it a few days ago.
 
ZhenyaF said:
Has anyone tried to do this without a sales receipt?

I bought my phone second hand
Click to expand...

Can you get in touch with the original owner? They could have the original receipt that they can send to you via email. Also, if the original owner purchased the phone directly from Apple, they should be able to look it up.
 
Chaps. It took me three weeks to get my Ipad unlocked. Yes, someone has hacked your icloud account, or probably better put, hijacked your serial number and used it for a cloned device. Whatever the method we all have (had) the same issue, being unable to access our devices because it was locked to an icloud account that is nothing to do with us. It took three weeks because I purchased mine 3 years ago (new) and it took that long to get a copy invoice AND I had to prove who supplied the Apple reseller I purchased the Ipad from because Apple only had the original supplier on their system. I ran up £6 in phone bills, and many hours trying to sort it myself initially, then ending up with THREE case numbers.

I wrote to Apple customer care suggesting an Itune voucher might be appropriate given the issue was not of my making and it took up so much of my time. They rang me to say sorry about all of the problems but no form of goodwill gesture would be forthcoming because they don't do that (!).

I managed with a kindle fire while the Ipad was down (£35). There's a message in there, as I pointed out politely but firmly to the Apple Customer service rep......!
 
I finally drove 150 miles to the nearest Apple store and had my 6s+ replaced. They simply wouldn't do it over the phone because the iPhone would be locked again by the time they received it. I unlocked it at the store, in their presence, so now they can deal with their activation lock mess on that device.

They acknowledged the Catch-22 situation that I was in, but would only do what was best for them rather than what was right by the customer.

Personally, I don't plan on paying the premium for an Apple device again because of the way this situation was handled.
 
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zvolts said:
I finally drove 150 miles to the nearest Apple store and had my 6s+ replaced. They simply wouldn't do it over the phone because the iPhone would be locked again by the time they received it. I unlocked it at the store, in their presence, so now they can deal with their activation lock mess on that device.

They acknowledged the Catch-22 situation that I was in, but would only do what was best for them rather than what was right by the customer.

Personally, I don't plan on paying the premium for an Apple device again because of the way this situation was handled.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I use a Samsung Note 4 instead of an iphone, because it is cheaper and has a decent battery and does all I want it to. I have a Macbook Pro because it actually DOES have a good battery and operates well, but the Ipad was vanity and I encourage everyone to look beyond the branding and pay sensible money for your IT needs. I won't be buying another Ipad...
 
cibble10 said:
Agreed. I use a Samsung Note 4 instead of an iphone, because it is cheaper and has a decent battery and does all I want it to. I have a Macbook Pro because it actually DOES have a good battery and operates well, but the Ipad was vanity and I encourage everyone to look beyond the branding and pay sensible money for your IT needs. I won't be buying another Ipad...
Click to expand...
I love my ipad 2 and it still works well. For media consumption, it can't be beat.

However this activation lock issue, is endemic to high tech thievery and not limited to apple.
 
I7guy said:
I love my ipad 2 and it still works well. For media consumption, it can't be beat.

However this activation lock issue, is endemic to high tech thievery and not limited to apple.
Click to expand...

But Apple were the ones who insisted on this further layer of validation of ownership after v10.* update otherwise I and many others would have had no issues.
 
cibble10 said:
But Apple were the ones who insisted on this further layer of validation of ownership after v10.* update otherwise I and many others would have had no issues.
Click to expand...
And while it makes it rough on consumers, seems like it's a start to acknowledging what amounts to high tech thievery and some resolution.
 
Just bought a brand new sim free 7 Plus black at the Apple Store here in DC. Took it home to set up and a strange email came up and it is locked and asking for the password to that account. Not a happy camper.
 
Could this be the source of everyone's problems: http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/taiwan-foxconn-manager-indicted-stealing-thousands-iphones

I'm thinking that the numbers in these devices were reused in new devices (it would make sense).


Cut and pasted in case you don't want to click.


Taiwan Foxconn manager indicted for stealing thousands of iPhones
TAIPEI - A former senior manager at Taiwan's technology giant Foxconn has been indicted for stealing and selling 5,700 iPhones in China to pocket around US$1.56 million (S$2.2 million), Taiwanese prosecutors said Friday.

Foxconn is the world's largest contract electronics maker and assembles products for international brands such as Apple and Sony. It employs about one million workers at its factories across China.

The Taiwanese manager, identified by his family name Tsai, worked in the testing department and instructed eight employees at Foxconn's factory in the southern mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen to smuggle out about thousands of iPhone5 and iPhone5s, prosecutors said.


Tsai and his accomplices sold the testing phones, which were supposed to be scrapped, to stores in Shenzhen and made nearly Tw$50 million (S$2.2 million) from 2013 to 2014, said the New Taipei district prosecutor's office.

Foxconn reported the case to Taiwanese authorities following an internal audit and Tsai was questioned after he returned to the island earlier this year and was released on bail.

Tsai was charged with breach of trust and faces a maximum 10-year jail term according to prosecutors.

Foxconn has been hit with a number of scandals in recent years from employee misconduct to labour disputes.

In 2014, five former Foxconn employees were charged with breach of trust in Taiwan for allegedly soliciting Tw$160 million in kickbacks from suppliers in exchange for clearing quality checks and buying their equipment.

They were sentenced to up to 10 years and six months in prison by a district court in Taipei last month.

The company has also come under the spotlight over labour unrest, a spate of employee suicides and the use of underage interns at its Chinese plants in recent years.
 
Sadly I'm facing the same issue. My wife purchased an iPhone 7Plus new from Apple. Her iPhone 6S Plus was going to come to me. I deactivated everything on the old phone, logged out of find my iPhone services and got her new phone working.

All this was just last week. Today I start the process to move to her old 6S Plus and guess what, the phone is activation locked to some Yahoo account and it is not our account(s).

We purchased the iPhone 6S Plus last year from the same Apple store and will likely have to go in and talk to them about replacement.
 
TonyK said:
Sadly I'm facing the same issue. My wife purchased an iPhone 7Plus new from Apple. Her iPhone 6S Plus was going to come to me. I deactivated everything on the old phone, logged out of find my iPhone services and got her new phone working.

All this was just last week. Today I start the process to move to her old 6S Plus and guess what, the phone is activation locked to some Yahoo account and it is not our account(s).

We purchased the iPhone 6S Plus last year from the same Apple store and will likely have to go in and talk to them about replacement.
Click to expand...

Bring the phone and receipt in and they will unlock it on the spot
 
Did that today and am restoring from a backup from the 6 Plus to the 6S Plus. My concerns are on a recurrence of the activation lock. Some people have reported repeat issues.
 
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