“I just bought a second-hand iPhone and even though the last owner did a factory reset, they didn’t sign out of their iCloud account. When I try to set up the iPhone it keeps asking me to sign in with the iCloud account but I don’t have the account info and can’t get in touch with the last owner. How can I remove the iCloud Activation Lock from the iPhone without password?”
This is a question we get a lot. Most people who sell their iPhones think that a factory reset is enough, but it just isn’t – they also need to sign out of their iCloud account.
If you find yourself in this position and need to remove iCloud Activation Lock without Apple ID or password then keep reading as we’re going to explain what you can do.
Part 1. How to Remove iCloud Activation Lock without Password
To begin with, we’ll be covering 7 solutions that show you how to remove iCloud Activation Lock without password for iPhone/iPad in-depth, so let’s jump right in.
1AppleiPhoneUnlock
First, we have AppleiPhoneUnlock, an impressive service that provides iCloud lock removals for any iOS device.
Within 24 hours of placing an order with this company you’ll have your iPhone unlocked and the iCloud account removed.
Here’s how this service works:
Step 1 – Open an internet browser and go to AppleiPhoneUnlock iCloud unlock page.
Step 2 – Retrieve your iPhone’s IMEI number and type it into the text box. You can find the IMEI from the “hello” screen.
Step 3 – Click Unlock iCloud to continue.
Step 4 – On the following page, confirm your order and enable FastTrack for 24-hour delivery, then choose a payment method.
Step 5 – Submit your payment and your order will begin processing immediately. You will be notified once the order is complete and your iPhone is unlocked.
Our Review for This Service
AppleiPhoneUnlock is our first choice when it comes to permanently remove iCloud Activation Lock from iPhone, iPad & Apple watch.
The best parts about using AppleiPhoneUnlock is that you’ll only be waiting up to 24 hours to the unlock to be processed, but it’s also handled remotely by professionals with years of experience doing this kind of stuff.
After unlocking your device, you’ll be able to enjoy all your device’s features without any limits.
2Tenorshare 4MeKey
For anyone interested in a software-based solution, Tenorshare 4MeKey might be exactly what you need.
With this software, you can remove iCloud Activation Lock without password and it’s almost instant – no need to wait for others to take care of it for you.
Step 1 – Start by installing Tenorshare 4MeKey on your computer and connecting the iPhone with a lightning cable.
Step 2 – A jailbreaking utility will be downloaded and once it’s done, click on Start. If you are on a Mac, you’ll be given different instructions to follow for the jailbreak.
Step 3 – As soon as the jailbreak is complete you can click Start Remove.
Tenorshare 4MeKey will finish the remainder of the lock removal for you.
Our Review for This Software
After using Tenorshare 4Mekey to remove the lock, you’ll have complete access to your device and the iCloud lock won’t be a problem any longer.
This does, however, involve jailbreaking your iPhone, which many users are uncomfortable doing.
What’s more, you can’t make a phone call or use the cellular after iCloud removal.
3IMEIDoctor
Another service that will leave you not needing to learn how to remove iCloud without password (since it’s handled by experts) is IMEIDoctor.
This is a relatively new service but is nonetheless one of the best on the market at the moment.
Step 1 – Go to IMEIDoctor iCloud lock removal page.
Step 2 – Type in your iPhone’s IMEI number and after it detects the model of your device, proceed to unlock.
Step 3 – Next, you’ll have the option to add FastTrack to your order which will accelerate the delivery to just 24 hours. We highly recommend this although it isn’t necessary.
Step 4 – Agree to the terms of service and choose a payment method.
Step 5 – Once you’ve successfully paid for your order simply wait up to 24 hours for your iPhone to be unlocked from iCloud.
Our Review for This Service
IMEIdoctor is the biggest competitor of AppleiPhoneUnlock.
Differing from AppleiPhoneUnlock who mainly serves users from North America, UK, CA, AU, IMEIdoctor has a better performance to remove iCloud lock for users from Europe.
To use this service, you’ll have to pay around $40 but for the quality of the service, and speediness of the order delivery, it’s definitely worth it.
4iRemove Tool
Going back to software solutions, iRemove can also be used to remove iCloud Activation Lock without password.
When you use this software you’ll have to make a payment to complete the unlock, but overall this is a great tool to use. You will need to jailbreak your iPhone before using this though.
Let’s take a look at how this tool works:
Step 1 – Install iRemove on your computer then connect your iPhone. iRemove will then scan your device to make sure that it has been jailbroken and to ensure that it is a supported model.
Step 2 – After confirming that your device is compatible, you must pay the company so that your iPhone’s IMEI number is added to the unlock database.
Step 3 – When you’ve submitted the payment and it has been processed, you can connect your iPhone to iRemove again and simply click on Bypass to finish up the process.
Our Review for This Software
This tool is straightforward to use and it doesn’t take up much time.
After paying to use the tool once, you can use it on your iPhone again for free after you update the iOS version, as updating will make the iCloud Activation Lock return.
This software works just like Tenorshare 4Mekey but it’s more expensive than 4Mekey. If you prefer using this tool, here is a 10% coupon code for you: wipelock
5With the Help of the Previous Owner
If you still have contact with the previous owner then there are a few things you can do. This makes the entire thing a lot easier so if you can, try to get the previous owner to help out.
Get them to sign in
That’s right – if you sign in with the correct iCloud account when confronted with the iCloud Activation Lock screen, you can then proceed to remove the account and sign in with another one.
Ask for their old passcode
For iPhones that are using iOS 11 or newer and which are linked to an iCloud account using 2FA, typing an old passcode rather than the iCloud account password will remove the lock.
All you need to do is tap on Unlock with passcode and you’ll be taken to the page to do so.
Get them to remove the device from their account
Lastly, it’s possible for the previous owner to sign in to the iCloud dashboard and remove the iPhone from their account this way.
All they need to do is go to iCloud.com, select your iPhone, and click Remove from Account. This remotely resets the iPhone and in turn removes the iCloud account.
Our Review for This Method
Unfortunately, some users aren’t able to contact the previous owner. In particular, if you’ve bought a refurbished iPhone from a store then you won’t know who the previous owner is.
Hope isn’t lost though, as you can use iCloud Login Finder to retrieve the previous owner’s details and get in touch to request their help.
6DNS Bypass
Are you still unable to bypass the activation lock and need to know how to remove iCloud without password free?
iCloud DNS bypass provides a workaround that prevents your iPhone from connecting to Apple’s DNS servers and thus removing the lock.
Step 1 – Set up the iOS normally but stop when you reach the Connect to Wi-Fi page.
Step 2 – Tap on the i next to your home’s Wi-Fi network and next to DNS, enter one of the following IP addresses depending on where you live:
- Europe: 104.155.28.90
- North America: 104.154.51.7
- South America: 35.199.88.219
- Asia: 104.155.220.58
- Australia & Oceania: 35.189.47.23
Step 3 – Go back to the Wi-Fi page and connect to your network normally. Finish setting up your iPhone to bypass the lock.
Our Review for This Method
Some users are wary about changing settings like the DNS IP, but this is completely safe and won’t harm your iPhone in any way. All this does is bypasses Apple’s iCloud verification servers.
It’s worth mentioning that certain iCloud features will be inaccessible, but this is still a good temporary workaround.
7Contact Apple Support
In some cases, Apple will lend a hand and forcibly remove the iCloud Activation Lock.
To remove iCloud Activation Lock without password using this method, you’ll need to have two things handy:
- Evidence that you are the rightful owner of the iPhone (such as a receipt)
- Evidence that the previous owner sold you the iPhone (to prove it isn’t stolen)
With both of these, you can then go ahead and get in touch with Apple’s support team.
They’ll ask for this evidence and as long as there are no reasons for them to reject your request, they’ll get to work removing Activation Lock without previous owner straight away.
Our Review for This Method
This is a good option if you’re not the original owner of this iPhone.
If you inherited the device, a Death Certificate, proof of your relationship to the deceased, and possibly the original proof of purchase will be provided.
Part 2. How to Remove iCloud Activation Lock With Password
Maybe you’re in the fortunate position of having the iCloud account’s password.
If that’s the case, removing the iCloud lock from your iPhone is extremely easy.
Step 1 – Set up your iPhone normally if it has been factory reset, and enter the iCloud account info when you see the activation lock.
Step 2 – After the setup is complete, go to the Settings application and tap your name at the top.
Step 3 – Swipe down to the bottom of this page and tap on Sign Out.
Step 4 – You will be prompted to enter the iCloud account password to confirm this decision. After you do this, the account will be removed.
Our Review for This Method
This is by far the easiest way to remove an iCloud account from an iPhone.
The obvious problem is that in most cases, anyone who wants to remove iCloud Activation Lock doesn’t have the password, so won’t be able to take this easy route.
Part 3. Typical Scams You Should Avoid
When you’re hunting for how to remove iCloud without password, you’re going to uncover a long list of potential solutions. This sounds great but be cautious.
There are a lot of scams out there which, if you aren’t careful, you could fall victim to.
1Software from a fake website
For example, many software (such as iCloud Unlock Deluxe) that claims to bypass iCloud locks are filled with malware that will harm your computer. There are tools that require you to fill out a survey to access, but these surveys are endless and will waste your time.
2Fake online tool
You might also find some free iCloud removal online tools that claim they can interfere with the Apple verification servers.
Again, these don’t actually work. They’ll show messages along the lines of “Trying to connect to Apple…”, but they don’t do anything of the sort. Typically, these tools are covered in ads and are only there to generate income.
Part 4. FAQs About iCloud Activation Lock
1What is iCloud Activation Lock?
iCloud Activation Lock is a feature of Find My which is specially designed to prevent someone else from using your device without your permission.
It will be automatically turned on when you enabled Find My iPhone feature. Once you reset, set up your iPhone, it will ask for the Apple ID password to proceed.
You’ll be stuck at the “Activation Lock” screen (This iPhone/iPad is linked to an Apple ID. Enter the Apple ID and password that were used to set up this iPhone) if you can’t offer the password.
2Can you bypass Apple activation lock?
Yes! As mentioned above, there are 8 ways to bypass Activation lock, we highly recommend you use AppleiPhoneUnlock as this is a quick & permanent solution for you.
3Will a factory reset remove iCloud lock?
No! Factory resetting just erase all content and settings from your iPhone, then refresh the iOS system. It can’t remove iCloud Activation Lock since it’s a feature of iCloud which is stored on Apple server.
4Can Apple remove activation lock without proof of purchase?
I’m sorry to tell you that Apple will only help those who can offer the proof of purchase to remove iCloud lock.
Don’t worry if you can’t offer, just use another method in this post to remove iCloud lock without hassles.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to remove iCloud Activation Lock without password you can remove it from your iPhone and fully access all of its features.
This lock is meant as a security feature but, in some instances, it can be an inconvenience. Fortunately, with this guide, you have a pile of solutions to try and getting rid of the lock is no problem at all.
