How to Bypass Apple Activation Lock (and Which Methods to Avoid)

If you’re in the market for a secondhand iPhone, make sure it isn’t locked by Apple’s Activation Lock. A locked phone could mean the previous owner simply forgot to remove their Apple ID, but it could also be a red flag that you’re handling a stolen device.

Meet the seller in person and ask them to remove their Apple ID from the phone while you’re there. If the phone has already been reset but the setup screen still prompts for an Apple ID, it means it’s still locked, and you shouldn’t buy it.

What is Activation Lock?

Activation Lock is one of Apple’s key security features, and is automatically enabled when you turn on Find My on your device. With Activation Lock active, you must enter your iCloud password to erase or reactivate the device. Because of this, it’s sometimes called iCloud Activation Lock.

The feature is designed to deter theft and protect your data if your iPhone, iPad, MacBook, or Apple Watch is lost or stolen, by ensuring that only you can reactivate and use the device.

But there are legitimate situations where you may need to remove or bypass Activation Lock — for example, when a company is reassigning a device from a departed employee, or when you’ve inherited or bought a device and the previous owner can’t be reached. In any case, always follow official channels and documented procedures to avoid legal or security problems.

Ways to bypass Activation Lock

Legitimate ways to remove Activation Lock include signing in with the original owner’s Apple ID and password or contacting Apple Support to request an activation-lock bypass code.

It’s also possible to permanently bypass Activation Lock or use third-party tools, but they are often unreliable, may be illegal in some jurisdictions, can void warranties and support, and can leave the device more vulnerable to theft or malware.

We strongly advise against jailbreaking an iPhone to try to circumvent Activation Lock — jailbreaking commonly bricks devices, voids official support, and introduces significant security risks.

1. Use iCloud credentials

The simplest way to bypass Activation Lock is to sign in to the iCloud account associated with the locked device. However, note that you’ll only be able to do this if you know the relevant Apple ID and password.

If you have the relevant credentials, here’s how to bypass Activation Lock by removing the device from your iCloud account:

1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in with the Apple ID and password that were originally used to set up the locked device.

2. Select Find My iPhone (or Find Devices on newer iCloud versions).

3. In the device list, choose the locked iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

4. If the device is online, choose Erase and confirm to wipe it remotely.

5. After erasing, click Remove from Account to completely remove it from your Apple ID.

6. Restart or set up the device. Activation Lock should be gone, and the phone should prompt you for a new Apple ID. If the phone still asks for the original Apple ID and password, the removal didn’t work, and you should repeat steps 1–5.

7. Once you enter the new Apple ID credentials, turn on Find My to reactivate Activation Lock with the updated Apple ID and password.

2. Get an Activation Lock bypass code

If your devices are supervised and enrolled in a Mobile Device Management (MDM) that’s linked to an Apple Profile Manager or Apple Business Manager account, you can generate an Activation Lock bypass code to reset managed devices within your organization’s inventory.

Here’s how to get an Activation Lock bypass code:

1. Log in to Apple Profile Manager (via a macOS device only) or Apple Business Manager.

2. Locate the locked device by serial number or asset tag.

3. Check Activation Lock status in the device’s details.

4. Copy the Activation Lock Bypass Code shown in MDM.

5. Erase or reset the device via MDM or Recovery Mode.

6. Enter the Bypass Code on the Activation Lock screen, and assign a new user during enrollment.

3. Set a permanent bypass

If you have trouble remembering the Apple ID credentials, or need a device that multiple people can use (for testing or shared use), you can set up a permanent bypass by following the steps to bypass Activation Lock using your iCloud credentials. Then, remove the device from the account via Settings, set it up with a different Apple ID, and leave Find My disabled.

4. Use iCloud bypass tools

Third-party iCloud-bypass tools rarely work on recent iOS versions — particularly on devices with A12 chips and later. Tools that claim to work on newer iPhones are generally known to be fronts for iOS viruses or app scams. In any case, trying to bypass Activation Lock with iCloud bypass tools is high-risk: you may be asked to reveal serial numbers or install unvetted software, which can introduce malware, void support, and expose you to financial fraud.

For these reasons, we do not recommend seeking out an iCloud bypass tool to unlock your iPhone. Instead, contact Apple Support, provide proof of purchase, and they will help you regain access.

5. Reset the DNS server

Many sites claim you can bypass Activation Lock by resetting the DNS server, but that’s misleading. Manually switching DNS can sometimes grant very limited, temporary access to an Apple device, but it does not remove Activation Lock, and you’ll still be prevented from using core services like the App Store, Messages, or phone calls.

Server resets might sound like a magic bullet, but if you want a safe, reliable way to remove Activation Lock, DNS tricks aren’t it.

How to enable Activation Lock

To enable Activation Lock on your iPhone or iPad, simply set up Find My during setup or in Settings. This ensures your device can be locked or located if it’s ever lost or stolen.

To set up Find My on an iPhone:

1. Open Settings and tap your name (your Apple ID).

2. Select Find My, tap Find My iPhone, and toggle on the feature.

Then, if you ever misplace your device, you can mark it as lost to place it under Activation Lock — here’s how:

1. Open Find My.

2. Tap Devices or Items, then select Lost Mode.

Boost your iPhone security

Bypassing Activation Lock through unofficial channels can leave your device vulnerable to attacks. Let Avast Free Antivirus help by boosting your iPhone’s security and privacy. With Wi-Fi network security and password leak monitoring built in, Avast seamlessly complements your iPhone’s built-in security features.