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Bought a used MacBook Pro but can't factory reset it.
- Thread starter 0ddmonkey
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I have a similar issue. The hard drive crashed in my 17" Macbook Pro, mid 2011. I do not think that the computer I purchased was stolen, but it does have a firmware password. I bought it used in 2014 from eBay and the seller is still in business on eBay. Anyway, I took it into the "Genius" Bar and they gave me the whole "original receipt" run around. So, basically Apple assumes that it was stolen if you don't have the password and you didn't buy it from an Apple Store. If anyone has any recommendations about how to get the machine to boot from another drive so that I can get it up an running, I am very interested. While I was sitting at the "Genius" Bar waiting to be told to pound sand, I Googled "Apple is Evil" on my Android phone (I ditched the iPhone years ago) and I found an interesting article about what a horrible company Apple is and how they treat their customers as the enemy (https://slate.com/technology/2020/01/against-the-cult-of-apple.html). I have used Macs for about thirty years, but I will not buy another one. I am going to seriously look into open source operating systems and break free from the Cult of Apple. That being said, I would still like to get this Macbook up and running, it is in perfect working condition other than the hard drive. It really pains me to think about it polluting a landfill all because Apple assumes that I am a thief.
I just got a 2019 macbook pro A2159 from an local company in CA that purchases amazon returns and resells them online at auction... The Macbook is account locked and when I reboot it goes to activation where it shows the previously linked apple ID...
Any way to get around this?
Can I wipe/ swap the drive out or is this a s/n check online with Apple?
You will need to take to an Apple store.
I have heard that Apple has the methods to clear that. But - and this is a big "but", you will have to prove that you own that MBPro.
And, usually that means you will need a copy of the sales receipt, showing that you purchased it.
(I have some doubts that Apple will accept a random "recovery" company as a legitimate reseller, I could be wrong... )
But, one step will be to find out what Apple can (or can't/won't do for you)
Or, you can try to return to that auction company, maybe get a refund.
Activation-locked devices are usually sold for parts only.
The activation lock is not on the hard drive -- swapping the drive is not possible anyway -- it's soldered to the logic board. A reformat will also not make any change to the activation lock.
It is also not a serial number check of some kind.
Activation lock is on the T2 security chip, also soldered to the logic board.
But, you should find out what Apple might say about that...
I have heard that Apple has the methods to clear that. But - and this is a big "but", you will have to prove that you own that MBPro.
And, usually that means you will need a copy of the sales receipt, showing that you purchased it.
(I have some doubts that Apple will accept a random "recovery" company as a legitimate reseller, I could be wrong... )
But, one step will be to find out what Apple can (or can't/won't do for you)
Or, you can try to return to that auction company, maybe get a refund.
Activation-locked devices are usually sold for parts only.
The activation lock is not on the hard drive -- swapping the drive is not possible anyway -- it's soldered to the logic board. A reformat will also not make any change to the activation lock.
It is also not a serial number check of some kind.
Activation lock is on the T2 security chip, also soldered to the logic board.
But, you should find out what Apple might say about that...
It's one of those mysteries we might never know. OP is still a "newbie", hence likely never coming back.
Especially with the wonderful first experience using Mac. He will stick with a computer than can be properly stolen.
Well, to be fair...he did buy it used. Not directly from Apple, which carries a risk.
