What 'Locked to Owner' or 'Activation Lock' Means
When you see 'Locked to Owner' or 'Activation Lock', it means your iPhone is still linked to someone else's Apple ID. This is a security feature designed to prevent unauthorised use if your device is lost or stolen.
- It's a strong deterrent against theft, making stolen iPhones useless to anyone but the original owner.
- The feature is automatically enabled when you turn on Find My on your iPhone.
- It prevents anyone from erasing your device, reactivating it, or turning off Find My without the original owner's Apple ID password.
Good to know
This security measure is integral to Apple's ecosystem, safeguarding your personal data.
When You Might Encounter Activation Lock
You'll most likely see Activation Lock if you've acquired a second-hand iPhone. It can also appear if you've reset your own device but forgotten your Apple ID details.
- When setting up a 'new-to-you' iPhone, you might be prompted for the previous owner's Apple ID and password.
- After performing a factory reset (
Settings→General→Transfer or Reset iPhone→Erase All Content and Settings), you might encounter this screen. - If you're restoring a backup to a device that was previously linked to another Apple ID.
- The message 'Locked to Owner' appearing on the setup assistant screen after a device reset.
Important
Always ensure an iPhone is properly deregistered from the previous owner's Apple ID before purchasing it second-hand.
How to Confirm Activation Lock Status
You can check if a device is Activation Locked without needing to sign in. This is particularly useful if you're considering buying a used iPhone.
- On the device itself: If the iPhone displays the 'Hello' screen or the 'Activation Lock' screen after being reset, it is locked.
- Via Apple's website: Although Apple previously offered an online Activation Lock status checker, it has been discontinued. Now, you’ll need the original owner to check their Apple ID Devices list.
- Check Find My: If you have access to the device and it's not reset, go to
Settings→[Your Name]→Find My. IfFind My iPhoneis enabled, Activation Lock is active.
Tip
If you are the original owner and want to disable Activation Lock, ensure you sign out of iCloud before erasing your device.
What to Look For Before Buying Used
Before you commit to a second-hand iPhone, it's crucial to confirm it's not Activation Locked. This can save you a lot of trouble later on.
- Ask the seller to go to
Settings→General→Transfer or Reset iPhone→Erase All Content and Settingsand ensure the device resets completely and shows the 'Hello' screen without asking for an Apple ID. - Confirm the seller has logged out of their iCloud account (
Settings→[Your Name]→Sign Out) and removed the device from their Find My app. - If the device is already reset, look for the 'Hello' screen. If it prompts for a previous owner's Apple ID, walk away.
Good to know
A legitimate seller should have no problem demonstrating that Activation Lock has been removed.
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JD
Written by
Jordan DicksonFounder, CyberSecurityGuides
Founder of CyberSecurityGuides, writing practical, jargon-free guides that help everyday people recover from and protect against online attacks.
Reviewed by CSG Security Engineers