IMEI of an iPhone, iPad, or iPod
Apple has removed its Activation Lock status checker on iCloud.com at some point in the past few days. The tool enabled users to enter the serial number or IMEI of an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and find out if the device is secured with Activation Lock, helping buyers avoid purchasing a device locked to another user.
for example, was able to request the device's serial number and use Apple's tool to verify that Activation Lock had been turned off. If the device was still locked, or if the seller refused to provide the serial number, then it was likely lost or stolen.
for example, was able to request the device's serial number and use Apple's tool to verify that Activation Lock had been turned off. If the device was still locked, or if the seller refused to provide the serial number, then it was likely lost or stolen.
iCloud Page
The iCloud page where the tool was available now returns a "Not Found" page aka 404 error. Apple also removed the following reference to the tool from a related Find My iPhone support document earlier this week:
How do I check for Activation Lock before purchasing a used device?
When you buy an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch from someone other than Apple or an authorized Apple reseller, it is up to you to ensure that the device is erased and no longer linked to the previous owner’s account.
Activation Lock Status
You can check the current Activation Lock status of a device when you visit icloud.com/activationlock from any Mac or PC.
Apple has not explained why it removed the page. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Activation Lock, enabled automatically when you turn on Find My iPhone, is designed to prevent anyone else from using your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch if it is ever lost or stolen. A device with Activation Lock enabled requires the owner's Apple ID and password before it can be used, even if it is erased or reactivated.
Last year, a number of users who purchased a brand new iPhone experienced an Activation Lock issue where their device was locked to someone else's Apple ID. Apple disabled Activation Lock for affected users upon being provided proof of purchase, but it is unclear if the strange issue factored into the page's removal.
Apple removed the activation lock check tool from their website on January 29th 2017 without any warning.
Apple has not explained why it removed the page. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Last year, a number of users who purchased a brand new iPhone experienced an Activation Lock issue where their device was locked to someone else's Apple ID. Apple disabled Activation Lock for affected users upon being provided proof of purchase, but it is unclear if the strange issue factored into the page's removal.
Apple removed the activation lock check tool from their website on January 29th 2017 without any warning.
Rumour has it that Chinese hackers had been using the tool to find unlocked devices serial numbers and used them to reset iPhone serial numbers remove locks on an industrial scale. This means you can’t check the status of your Apple device online for now. It is unknown if the tool will ever return.
Does iCloud Lock ?
If the original owner of your iPhone turned on a feature called ‘Find My iPhone‘ then it will automatically link their iCloud account to the iPhone. The idea is to help them find their device if it is lost or stolen. If the worst comes to the worst and they can’t get their iPhone back then they can use ‘Find My iPhone’ to erase the contents of the phone and lock it permanently.
Obviously the idea behind this is to deter theft which is a great idea. However, if you buy a used iPhone, iPad or even Apple Watch and the previous owner forgot to remove it from their ‘Find My iPhone’ account then it is locked to the old owners iCloud account. This means you can’t use it. So the security on iCloud may disable the iPhone you bought in good faith.
How to Bypass iCloud
There are 2 options available to you if you end up with an iCloud lock.
Bypass iCloud and get limited functionality back for free
Remove the iCloud lock completely and get full functionality back for a fee
The option you should select depends on your budget, and how much functionality you want.
1. Bypass iCloud
If you bypass iCloud then you can use your iPhone to do a variety of things but not using the standard apps you would expect from an iPhone. Instead you are bypassing the iPhone software and using a different interface to allow you to do a variety of things such as watch video, send SMS, login to social media. Unfortunately you can’t use the device as a standard phone. However this option is free, with no fee involved.
2. Remove iCloud Lock
If you remove the iCloud lock completely then you can setup the iPhone or iPad as if it were a brand new device and use it properly. However an iCloud unlock costs money and there are many dubious websites that run scams offering this type of service. You need to make sure you pick the right one so you don’t get scammed.