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If an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch is asking for an Apple Account linked to someone else, only that account holder—or Apple through an eligible support request—can resolve the ownership lock. For an iPhone or iPad you bought used, stop setup and ask the seller to remove it from their account before you accept the device.
What “iCloud lock” means
“iCloud lock” is the informal name many people use for Apple’s Activation Lock. It is an ownership protection associated with Find My, not the device passcode lock. When Activation Lock is active, the device may ask for the Apple Account and password used to set it up, or offer a device-passcode option. Follow the prompt; erasing the device alone does not authorize a new owner.
Apple’s current instructions cover cases such as an Activation Lock screen, an offline device still linked to its owner, and a used device that cannot be activated. The correct route depends on whose account is linked, whether you can access the device, and which Apple product is involved.
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iPhone or iPad
Turn on the device and begin setup. If it asks for the previous owner’s Apple Account, it remains linked to that account. Stop and ask the seller to enter their credentials or remove the device from their account. Apple says, “A device is ready for you to use when you see the Hello screen.” Apple’s Activation Lock guidance for iPhone and iPad advises buyers not to take ownership while the lock remains.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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Apple Watch
Ask the seller to unpair the watch and remove Activation Lock. If possible, try pairing it with your iPhone; a request for the previous owner’s Apple Account means the lock is still active. For a cellular model, verify that the previous owner also removed the mobile plan.
Remove Activation Lock from your own device
Enter the linked account details
On the Activation Lock screen, enter the Apple Account and password used to set up the device. If the screen offers it, you may instead be able to use the device passcode. If you do not remember the account, try the email address or phone number you regularly use for Apple services, then follow Apple’s account-finding or password-recovery guidance.
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If the device belongs to a school or business, contact its IT department or manager. An organization-managed device may require action from that organization rather than a personal account recovery.
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Request help if you have proof of purchase
If you own the device but cannot recover access to the linked account, Apple provides an Activation Lock support request for people with proof-of-purchase documentation. This is a request for help, not a guaranteed removal; Apple does not promise approval or a specific result on the cited support page.
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- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
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Remove a device remotely when it is still in your account
If your device is offline and still linked to your Apple Account, Apple’s instructions allow you to sign in to iCloud Find Devices, select the device, and choose “Remove This Device” in the supported offline-device scenario. If you sold or gave away a device before turning off Find My, Apple also describes remotely erasing it and then removing it from your account. Follow the current on-screen instructions: the available sequence can depend on whether the device is online and its state.
Apple’s iCloud guide says removing an offline device removes Activation Lock immediately, while the device may remain in Find My for 30 days. If it comes online after that period and remains signed in or paired, it can reappear and Activation Lock can be enabled again. Check Apple’s live instructions for the applicable state and current steps.
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What to do if you bought a locked device
Do not try to get around the previous owner’s account. Contact the seller and ask them to remove the device from their account or enter the required credentials. For an iPhone or iPad, do not proceed with the purchase as a usable device unless setup reaches the Hello screen without requesting the former owner’s account. If the seller cannot or will not remove the lock, seek a return or other remedy through the seller or marketplace; Apple’s cited instructions do not establish marketplace-specific remedies.
For an Apple Watch, require the prior owner to unpair it and remove Activation Lock, then test pairing and confirm any cellular plan has been removed. A promise that the lock will be cleared later is not the same as verifying the device before taking ownership.
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
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Prepare your iPhone or iPad for sale, gifting, or trade-in
- Prepare the device and erase it through the owner process. Follow Apple’s steps to prepare an iPhone or iPad for sale, trade-in, or gifting. If an eSIM choice appears, select the option to erase the device and eSIM profile when appropriate.
- Confirm the device is no longer linked to your account. Apple says erasing through the proper process turns off Find My and Activation Lock. If you already transferred the device without turning off Find My, use Apple’s remote erase and account-removal instructions.
Erasing the device does not delete content stored in iCloud.
Prepare an Apple Watch for a new owner
Unpair the watch using its paired iPhone, remove the cellular plan if applicable, and enter your Apple Account password when prompted to turn off Activation Lock. If you have already given away the watch, Apple provides remote erase and removal steps for Apple Watch.
When the lock is on a previously used part
A part installed in a repair or refurbished device can have an account lock separate from the whole-device activation screen. Apple’s guidance on Activation Lock for previously used parts says a part linked to another Apple Account must be unlocked with Repair Assistant or by having its lock removed. If the part is tied to someone else’s account, contact its owner or seller and ask them to remove the lock and Lost Mode. Apple says it cannot remove Activation Lock for previously used parts.
A locked part may not work as expected or may lack privacy, security, or safety-critical features. Apple says it is ineligible for Apple Limited Warranty or AppleCare service, and the device cannot be traded in while the part remains locked. The recovery route depends on the specific component and Apple repair flow; do not treat a part lock as though it were the same problem as a whole-device activation screen.
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