If you have trouble buying an iPhone locked to the owner, and you are the rightful owner, you can apply the following methods to unlock the device.
What is an iPhone locked to owner?
An iPhone locked to owner (Locked to Owner) is a state when the iPhone has been activated with the Activation Lock feature or iCloud Activation Lock linked to the previous owner’s iCloud account. Activation Lock is a security feature introduced by Apple from iOS 15 onwards to protect personal data and prevent unauthorized use of the iPhone.
When an iPhone is locked to the owner, if you turn on the device, the phone will ask you to enter the login information of the linked iCloud account to prove that you are the legal owner of the device. If you do not have the correct login information or cannot contact the previous owner to request them to remove the lock, you will not be able to use this iPhone.
The locked state for the owner ensures that users cannot access the previous owner’s personal data when the iPhone is lost or stolen. This feature is very important in protecting privacy and preventing unauthorized activities on the device.
Efficient unlocking methods with high success rate
To unlock an iPhone locked to owner without Apple ID and password, the most effective method is to use the 4Mekey app from Tenorshare.
Tenorshare 4MeKey is a software developed by Tenorshare, designed to help users remove iCloud activation lock or iPhone activation lock by the previous owner. To use Tenorshare 4MeKey, you can follow the following steps:
Step 1: Download and install Tenorshare 4MeKey from the official website of Tenorshare.
Step 2: Launch the app and connect your iPhone device to the computer via USB cable.
Step 3: Proceed with the process of removing the iPhone activation lock according to the instructions on the 4MeKey interface. After successful completion, your iPhone will be reset to factory settings.
Other methods to unlock an iPhone locked to owner
If your iPhone is locked to the owner, you can apply some of the following methods to unlock it. Although these methods do not guarantee success, you can try them before taking your device to a repair store.
Remove the lock through the screen password
If your iPhone is locked to the owner and you need to unlock the screen, the device will ask for a password. You need to contact the phone owner to know the password to easily unlock it.
To unlock the screen, follow these 2 simple steps:
Step 1: Tap to turn on the screen, and the phone will display a password consisting of 6 numbers.
Step 2: Enter the correct password, and your iPhone will be quickly unlocked.
Remove the lock using DNS Bypass
The DNS Bypass method can be used to temporarily bypass the iCloud activation lock on some older versions of iOS. However, this method is a bit difficult to perform, and it does not completely solve the iCloud activation lock issue. In addition, Apple may apply security measures to prevent DNS Bypass methods.
If you still want to proceed, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: On the iPhone’s Wi-Fi settings screen, select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to.
Step 2: Tap the small i icon next to the Wi-Fi network name.
Step 3: Scroll down and tap the Change DNS option.
Step 4: Change the current DNS value to one of the following DNS addresses:
- 104.154.51.7
- 78.109.17.60
- 35.199.88.219
- 104.155.28.90
- 78.100.17.60
- 35.199.88.219
Step 5: Go back to the Wi-Fi settings screen and tap Connect to connect to the Wi-Fi network.
The DNS Bypass process can help you access some parts of the phone and temporarily use some features. However, this method will not completely remove the lock and will not allow you to use the device normally when the iPhone is locked to the owner. To unlock it securely, you need to contact the previous owner of the iPhone or Apple for assistance.
Remove the lock through iCloud
Step 1: Access iCloud.com from a web browser on your computer or mobile device.
Step 2: Log in to iCloud with the corresponding Apple ID and password.
Step 3: After successful login, find and click on the Find iPhone icon.
Step 4: In the Find iPhone interface, select All Devices to view a list of devices connected to your Apple ID.
Step 5: Find the iPhone device you want to erase and select the Erase iPhone option. This process will erase all data on the device and reset it to factory settings. After remotely erasing the device, you can set it up again and use the iPhone with your new Apple ID.
However, to successfully perform these steps, you need the cooperation and consent of the previous owner of the device, as any actions on iCloud.com are related to their account and device. If they agree, you can unlock it and replace it with your own Apple ID to continue using it.
Seeking assistance from Apple
If you cannot erase an iPhone locked without the password or login information of the previous owner, you can contact Apple Support through the following steps:
Step 1: Access the official Apple website and find the Support page.
Step 2: Find and select the option to contact Apple Support.
Step 3: Provide detailed information about your situation, such as being the actual owner of the device and the reason why you need to unlock the iPhone.
Step 4: Apple will ask you to provide documents and evidence to prove that you are the legal owner of the device, such as purchase invoices, sales contracts, or other relevant documents.
Step 5: Follow the instructions from Apple Support, comply with their procedures so that Apple can verify and process your request.
Note: This method obviously yields high effectiveness, but contacting Apple Support to unlock an iPhone will incur significant fees.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to find the owner of a locked iPhone?
You can access Find iPhone and press Call to find the owner.
Does resetting the phone remove the activation?
No, resetting the device does not remove the activation lock by the owner. After you restart the phone, you will see it locked again.
How to remove the previous owner from the iPhone?
The fastest way to remove an iPhone locked to the owner is to use Tenorshare 4MeKey. This software will help you remove the lock without the need for a password or Apple ID.
Unlock Your Disabled iPhone with These 3 Quick Methods, No Computer Required
IPhone disabled issue is a common occurrence, often caused by users forgetting their passwords and making multiple incorrect attempts. To resolve this, you can connect the iPhone to a computer and restore it using the utility in iTunes, or try some of the following methods that don’t require a computer.