How to remove Apple ID from iPhone?

[Slezina]

I took out a contract phone for my now ex girlfriend. The contract was in my name and i paid the bills throughout.

We recently split up which has turned quite messy. I took the phone with me since i'm paying for it & she would run up one hell of a bill if i left her the phone anyway which i can't afford.

I put the iPhone into DFU mode & restored it but when i come to activate, it's saying that my ex girlfriends apple ID is on the phone & asks me for the ID & password which i don't know (& obviously she isn't going to give me). I'm guessing she's done some option through Find my iPhone.

Since i legally own this phone, how can i go about getting this fixed so that i can use it? I'm not interested in gaining access to any of her stuff (i can't anyway since i erased the phone when restoring in DFU), all i want is to be able to use it.

 

[aristobrat]

There is no way I know of to get around the activation lock that you're talking about. You're right, this happens when an iOS device is DFU restored while Find my iPhone was enabled.

Even though you've reset the phone, Find my iPhone is still enabled for this device on Apple's servers, and they won't let you activate unless you know her Apple ID and password.

At least she can't run up your bill with it!

----------

I've seen some people post that they've taken the locked device and proof of purchase to an Apple Store and someone at the store was able to remove the lock, but I've also seen people post that the Apple Store wasn't able to do anything for them (even with proof of purchase).

 

[Slezina]

Thanks for the reply

That's quite bad if even the Apple store can't do this when he can prove ownership.

It looks like that's the only way then. Thanks.

 

[Applejuiced]

Not much you can do besides talking to her and asking her to remove the device from her icloud account.
She can do it online by logging in to icloud.com
The Apple store will not do anything about it when it comes to activation locked devices.
iDevices are sold, exchanged, gifted, swapped every single day. And if the device is locked to someone elses Apple ID they will not be able to do anything.

 

[chabig]

That's quite bad if even the Apple store can't do this when he can prove ownership.

Actually, that's a good thing. It means your privacy is safe. Not only can't Apple get into your device, but nosy 3 letter agencies can't either.

 

[Slezina]

Well the initial comment of can't get her to play ball doesn't seem to have gone down too well...

So let me put it another way - i've spent most of today in the company of police being investigated over false accusations. So really, when i say she's not going to be very forthcoming with the details, i'm not lying to you Especially considering she wants this phone back.

So basically you 2 guys think aristobrat is wrong - and that it isn't a case of it may or may not work, it's only a case of it WILL NOT work & the phone is now worthless & fit for only the bin?

 

[IrishVixen]

While I also suspect Apple won't do anything, I do think it's worth trying. Take the phone, proof of purchase, and your ID into an Apple store and give it a shot. Really, you have nothing to lose at this point.

 

[Hoppesangen]

If you bought the phone and have the original receipt. Bring it to the Apple Store and ask for a manager.

 

[Applejuiced]

Well the initial comment of can't get her to play ball doesn't seem to have gone down too well...

So let me put it another way - i've spent most of today in the company of police being investigated over false accusations. So really, when i say she's not going to be very forthcoming with the details, i'm not lying to you Especially considering she wants this phone back.

So basically you 2 guys think aristobrat is wrong - and that it isn't a case of it may or may not work, it's only a case of it WILL NOT work & the phone is now worthless & fit for only the bin?

Im sorry man. Sounds like a bad situation and Apple doesn't get involved in these types of things with icloud locked devices.
Maybe you can work something out where she pays you a certain amount and she can get the phone or you give her something in order for her to remove the device from her icloud account and you keep the phone.
Cause she can dispute it and say it was a gift from you and you will say it was something you paid for and you want it back since its a device under your cellphone account and so on. Then it becomes a civil case.
Either way if you don't come to any kind of agreement she's stuck with no iphone and you're stuck with an iphone that you cant use. So you'll both be stuck with nothing.

 

[Slezina]

Looking in to contacting Apple about this & the online chat with one of them & it asks for the serial number.

Obviously can't access the phone & she has the box.

Is there any way of obtaining the serial number now?

I've gone through the process of booking in an appointment with one of their geniuses but i don't know what you'd put this down as. Or should i just turn up & ask to speak to the manager straight away & go from there (& may have to make a second trip down for a scheduled appointment)?

 

[Applejuiced]

You will need an appointment to speak to someone and have them work on it.
If you don't they can turn you away or ask you to wait for hours till there's an opening.
The serial number should be in the back plate of the phone. What model iphone is it?
You can also go to emergency call scren, Open Phone app,Tap Keypad, Enter *#06#

 

[aristobrat]

=The serial number should be in the back plate of the phone.

That's what I thought too, but looking at my iPhone 6 just now, it's the IMEI that's printed on the back plate. iTunes shows a different number for the serial number.

Slezina, even though the phone is activation locked, if you plug it into a computer with iTunes, maybe iTunes can still pull the serial number? (on the tab where it shows the device size, etc.)

 

[Applejuiced]

That's what I thought too, but looking at my iPhone 6 just now, it's the IMEI that's printed on the back plate. iTunes shows a different number for the serial number.

Slezina, even though the phone is activation locked, if you plug it into a computer with iTunes, maybe iTunes can still pull the serial number? (on the tab where it shows the device size, etc.)

Yes, you can put in the imei number or the serial number on apples site.
It will accept either one.

 

[b0fh666]

have it blacklisted and return it to her as a sign of goodwill

 

[JoeyD74]

Actually, that's a good thing. It means your privacy is safe. Not only can't Apple get into your device, but nosy 3 letter agencies can't either.

I like they can't access the info on the phone but they should be able to wipe it out and start fresh. Proof of purchase and ID should do it.

 

[Applejuiced]

I like they can't access the info on the phone but they should be able to wipe it out and start fresh. Proof of purchase and ID should do it.

Apple doesn't get involved into situations like that usually. And this case is more of a civil matter.
Proof of purchase but what if you sold the device to someone or gifted it or going through a breakup, divorce etc...
Then have the receipt and try to pull a scam, fraud and so on.
What if it was sold used multiple times? What kind of proof of purchase would you show?
The icloud activation lock is there for a reason and the person that has it setup can get passed that screen or if you forgot the password you can reset it.
They don't budge when it comes to activation locked devices but doesn't hurt to try.

 

[Slezina]

You will need an appointment to speak to someone and have them work on it.
If you don't they can turn you away or ask you to wait for hours till there's an opening.
The serial number should be in the back plate of the phone. What model iphone is it?
You can also go to emergency call scren, Open Phone app,Tap Keypad, Enter *#06#

Back plate being just the total rear of the phone?

It's an iPhone 5. Thanks

have it blacklisted and return it to her as a sign of goodwill

Not the best when i have an iPhone 4 which is broken so i would've quite liked an iPhone 5.

 

[Applejuiced]

Back plate being just the total rear of the phone?

It's an iPhone 5. Thanks

Its on the bottom of the back plate.
The part that says IMEI:

 

[Slezina]

Thanks

I got it & noted the IMEI.

What's the IC number & the FCC ID number?

 

[Slezina]

IMEI number on the site is no good. I enter it & it says

Please enter a valid hardware serial number, excluding accessories.

IMEI on the phone is:

######A########

Where # = number & A = letter.

EDIT: Also *#06# doesn't work either. I don't know if this is because of it being in the setup/activation process or not.

 

[Applejuiced]

IMEI number on the site is no good. I enter it & it says



IMEI on the phone is:

######A########

Where # = number & A = letter.

EDIT: Also *#06# doesn't work either. I don't know if this is because of it being in the setup/activation process or not.

That's weird.
On the U.S. site when I enter my imei number it works and recognizes the device and warranty info.
Plug it to iTunes like another user suggested above and you will be able to see the serial number.

 

[Slezina]

That's weird.
On the U.S. site when I enter my imei number it works and recognizes the device and warranty info.
Plug it to iTunes like another user suggested above and you will be able to see the serial number.

Really? Because when i plug in to iTunes it just asks for her username & password with most the letters blanked out.

Also when i try my sisters phone in General>About & look at the serial number, it's a load of letters & none of it is on the rear of the phone.

 

[Slezina]

Turns out the IMEI number did work. The phone was marked so it made one of the 0s look like a Q. lol

 

[Applejuiced]

Turns out the IMEI number did work. The phone was marked so it made one of the 0s look like a Q. lol

Lol
Let us know how it went at the Apple Store bud.
Hope they help you out.

 

[Slezina]

Well i used the online chat to Google & they said that the store wouldn't be able to help in this instance.

They told me to call AppleCare UK support & explain. They will request proof of purchase & go from there.

Fingers crossed.