What is Activation Lock?
Learn what Apple Activation Lock does, how it relates to Find My, and what to do if it appears on your iPhone or iPad.
Read the guide CLEAR HELP FOR DEVICE OWNERS
iCloud & Activation Lock help.
Find the right next step.
“iCloud locked” can mean a forgotten Apple Account password, Activation Lock on a used device, or a carrier restriction. Choose the issue that matches what you see.
✓ Owner-focused explanations✓ No password collection✓ Official support links
DEVICE SUPPORTYour next step,
made clearer.Guidance for device owners
made clearer.Guidance for device owners
Owner-firstSafe recovery guidance
Official resourcesFrom Apple Support
PRACTICAL, OWNER-FIRST INFORMATION
Start with the problem
you’re trying to solve.
Each guide covers a distinct question, with practical steps and links to official Apple resources.
How Activation Lock works
Understand how Find My links an Apple device to its owner, when Activation Lock appears, and what legitimate options are available.
Read the guideCan an IMEI remove Activation Lock?
An IMEI identifies cellular equipment; learn why an IMEI check cannot remove Apple Activation Lock and what to do instead.
Read the guideCarrier unlock vs. Activation Lock
A carrier-unlocked iPhone can still have Activation Lock. Compare network restrictions, Apple Account access, and device ownership checks.
Read the guideBought an iPhone that is Activation Locked?
A practical, safe sequence for a second-hand iPhone that asks for someone else’s Apple Account during setup.
Read the guideCheck a used iPhone for Activation Lock
Use this practical pre-purchase check to confirm a used iPhone is erased and no longer linked to its previous owner.
Read the guideApple Account recovery
Learn where to start Apple Account recovery, what to expect, and how to protect your account while Apple verifies your identity.
Read the guideLost Mode vs. Activation Lock
Learn what Lost Mode does when a device goes missing and how it differs from Activation Lock during erase and setup.
Read the guideActivation Lock and proof of purchase
Find out when a proof-of-purchase document may support an Activation Lock request and what to do if a second-hand device is locked.
Read the guideHow to spot iCloud unlock scams
Warning signs of misleading Activation Lock unlock offers, including IMEI claims, upfront fees, and requests for credentials.
Read the guideHow to remove Activation Lock
See the owner, previous-owner, and proof-of-purchase routes Apple documents for an Activation-Locked device.
Read the guideWhat can an iPhone IMEI check tell you?
Understand what an IMEI identifies, why lookup data varies, and why it cannot confirm or remove Activation Lock.
Read the guideIMEI status vs. Activation Lock
Compare IMEI-based device and network lookups with Apple’s account-linked Activation Lock protection.
Read the guideForgot your Apple Account password?
Reset a forgotten Apple Account password through a trusted Apple device or Apple’s official recovery website.
Read the guideUsed iPhone buying checklist
A concise checklist for checking a used iPhone in person before payment, including ownership setup and carrier questions.
Read the guideiPad Activation Lock help
Learn why iPad Activation Lock appears, how an owner can recover access, and what to check before buying a used iPad.
Read the guidei
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
An IMEI check cannot remove Activation Lock.
IMEI tools may show limited device or carrier information. They do not prove ownership or change the Apple Account linked through Find My.
NEED A QUICK ANSWER?
Get clear on what “locked” means.
See short answers about account recovery, second-hand devices, and Apple’s supported process.