Cloud Activation Lock
With the iOS 7 release in 2014, comes the Cloud Activation Lock, a functionality that made it possible to lock down the iPhone status to a user's iCloud account. The owner of an iPhone can turn this feature on automatically on any device when the 'Find my Phone' is turned on. As soon as the 'Find my Phone' is validated, the device cannot be deleted. However, the negative side of it is that if a consumer acquires an Apple Watch, iPhone or iPad that didn't have the Cloud Activation Lock removed by its former owner, he or she will have on their hands a good-for-nothing device.
On the website support.apple.com, affected users can find instructions on:
'How to remove Activation Lock
Learn what to do if you see the Activation Lock screen on your device, or if you're asked to remove Activation Lock on a device that's offline and not in your possession.
Table of Contents
Remove Activation Lock on the device
Follow the onscreen steps to enter the Apple ID and password you used to set up your device or your device passcode.
Learn how to find your Apple ID or reset your Apple ID password.
Remove Activation Lock on the Web if a device is offline
- Go to www.iCloud.com/find.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
- At the top, click All Devices.
- Select the device that you want to remove from iCloud.
- Click Remove from Account.
Start a support request
If you need help removing Activation Lock and have proof of purchase documentation, you can start an Activation Lock support request.'
