How to Unlock an iCloud-Locked iPhone. If you see the Activation Lock screen on the iPhone you're trying to activate, enter the Apple ID username and password first used to activate the phone, and the phone will open. If you forgot your Apple ID password, you'll need to reset it. 6.) Continue holding the circle button, the iPhone will display an iTunes logo (a circle with a musical note,) you can let go of the circle button. THIS IS THE STUFF YOU DO ON THE PC OR MAC. 1.) Your PC or Mac will say “iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore the iPhone before it can be used with iTunes”. Great site for iPhone unlocking, they removed my iPhone 7 Plus iCloud Activation lock within the 72 hours suggested. The website is easy to use and I was kept updated throughout the process. 100% recommend iPhone Approved Unlock.
When the iPhone I bought from eBay arrived I tried to set it up but it kept on asking me for the previous owners Apple ID and password, which I didn’t know.
Yep, the device was iCloud locked.
This is when I realized I’d been caught with a well-known scam.
Sellers on eBay sell activation locked devices to unsuspecting buyers knowing they are practically unusable.
I thought I was stuck with a worthless iPhone but before throwing it out I decided to do some research to see if there was a way to do an iCloud unlock on it.
After a lot of trial and error, I eventually found a solution to unlock it quickly and easily so I could set up and use the iPhone properly.
You’ll find my recommendations and conclusions of my research below.
Conclusions
The Apple activation lock is a complex security system that is almost impossible to hack. Here are the conclusions of my research into it:
- There are some free methods to remove the iCloud lock such as:
- Getting the original owner to type in his Apple ID and password to the phone and signing out of iCloud, or
- Unlocking the device remotely via Apple’s website icloud.com if the seller is located miles away, or
- Asking Apple to remove it
- However, Apple will not help you remove the iCloud lock without proof you are the owner, such as the original receipt
- There are many free unlocking services online but all the free ones I tried were scams
- Most of the paid unlockers are scams that rip you off leaving you hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket
- The only safe way to iCloud unlock your iPhone is to use one of the recommended services
Recommendations
If you want to remove the iCloud lock on your iPhone and none of the free methods worked for you then your best bet is to use a trusted supplier to unlock your device.
I recommend AppleiPhoneUnlock because they are quick and reliable and offer a money-back guarantee.
Can you really unlock an iCloud locked iPhone?
Yes, it is possible to unlock the iCloud activation lock…
…but be very careful who you use as most companies are scammers.
I am ashamed to tell you that I spent a fortune with different suppliers trying to get the activation lock removed from my iPhone. I had almost given up hope. I believed it would end up as an expensive paperweight or discarded in a drawer.
Eventually, after trying dozens of methods over a couple of months I found a couple of suppliers that actually worked. Yes, they managed to remove the lock for me.
I decided that I needed to write an article so that others wouldn’t have to go through the same frustrating journey as me.
How much does it cost to do an iPhone iCloud unlock (or is it free)?
There are a bunch of websites that claim to do this for free with an activation lock removal tool, PDF, or service.
Sounds almost too good to be true…
…unfortunately, it is.
The free options I tried were confusing. They were inaccurate. All were scams of one type or another. Some were actually dangerous and ended up infecting my computer with a virus.
Don’t make the same mistakes as me – avoid the free iCloud removal tools and services.
Unbelievably, many of the paid options were scams too.
Companies advertised fees of up to $250 USD (£200 GBP) with no service actually provided.
Oddly, the price had no relation to the quality service offered with the best companies charging around $65 USD (£50 GBP).
Some of the paid companies I suggest you avoid include:
- i-Cloud unlock buddy
- Unlock instantly
- iPhone approved unlock
- iPhone unlock
- IMEI24
- AppUnlock
- iRemove Tools
- i-Cloud remover
How long will it take to unlock iCloud activation lock?
Some companies will never manage to do it. They will take your money then stop all communication leaving you out of pocket and angry.
This happened to me with several iCloud unlock providers.
However, if you use a good quality service the process to unlock your iPhone works like this:
Step 1: See what model iPhone you have
You need to know the model of the iPhone you want to iCloud unlock. To find out the precise model you can check the Apple website [1].
Step 2: Get the IMEI number from your iPhone
The IMEI serial number [2] identifies your unique iPhone. You need to provide the IMEI code so that they unlock your iPhone.
On these devices, you’ll find the IMEI on the SIM tray.
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 4 (GSM model)
- iPhone 4s
On these devices, you’ll find the IMEI on the back.
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5
Step 3: Pick an iCloud unlocker
You need to be careful to choose a supplier that will do what they promise. I suggest you pick one I have reviewed.
Step 4: Ask them to unlock iCloud on your iPhone
All of the suppliers I recommend have an easy to use website.
You simply let them know your iPhone IMEI and model, then pay for the service. You will get an order confirmation letting you know the order has been placed.
If you have any questions you can get in touch with them via each companies responsive help desk.
Step 5: iCloud lock is unlocked
Normally less than 3 or 4 days later they will complete the iPhone unlock. Some unlocking services are quicker than others but normally it is done within a week.
The actual speed depends on the supplier you choose.
Once completed you will be able to setup your iPhone properly without being asked for the previous owners Apple ID or password.
Which companies provide a trustworthy iCloud unlock service?
After an extensive search, I had a huge list of companies that claimed to offer unlocking services.
I went through them all one-by-one carefully examining their websites. Most looked impressive and made bold claims. Many had customer testimonials and some had very persuasive videos showing how their methods worked.
It was tough to decide who was a scammer.
I decided to checkout if they had contact details or an ‘about’ page that provided more details on who the owners were. After all if they did a good job they would have nothing to hide.
Many didn’t have this basic information so I decided not to trust them. After all how was I meant to contact them if I had an issue?
If there was a way to contact them I wrote them an email to ask them about there service. If I got no response I removed them from my shortlist. If a company doesn’t respond to pre-sales questions how would they answer any post-sales ones after I had paid? I decide I didn’t want to find out.
Winplot for mac. If the service included downloadable software or online tool I tried it out to see if it worked. If it didn’t then it was cut from my list.
I then checked each of the remaining candidates in some of the online review sites such as TrustReview to evaluate real customer feedback.
I then checked each of the remaining candidates in some of the online review sites such as TrustReview to evaluate real customer feedback.
If they were poorly regarded then they were removed from my list.
I then tried out the remaining suppliers by paying them money to unlock locked iPhone.
This resulted in the following shortlist…
Best iCloud unlock provider: IMEIdoctor
Summary box
- Price: From $40 USD | £35.99 GBP
- Speed: around 5 days (with the option of a 24-hour turnaround for an extra fee)
- Customer Services: Quick and helpful
IMEIdoctor has just started unlocking iCloud accounts and their enthusiasm really shows with the quality of their service and their high success rate.
They have a good helpdesk team that answered my questions in a friendly manner within an hour or two.
I tried unlocking a variety of iPhone models from an older iPhone 4 through to a newer iPhone X. All of them had the iCloud activation lock removed quickly without a hitch.
The only negative is their charging structure. It isn’t very clear on their website but the payment you make initially is simply a deposit for the service. The remainder of the fee is payable before the unlock is completed.
I found this a bit inconvenient as the website makes it look like the lower price is for the complete service. It isn’t.
Having said this, every single iCloud unlocking service I tried did the exact same thing. So they were not doing something unusual for this market segment but I’d prefer more upfront pricing.
Overall, I found that I actually ended up paying nearer $50 USD (£39.99 GBP) for the unlock. I believe this is still value for money considering the alternative is to buy a replacement iPhone for several hundred dollars.
They accept a wide range of payment methods including Mastercard, Visa, and Maestro giving lots of flexibility on how to pay. Of course, their website is highly secure.
They also offer a 100% money-back guarantee if they can’t deliver the service – although I didn’t have to try this out as all my devices were unlocked.
If your device is locked and you need to get it unlocked, you should use DrSIMUnlock.
Runner up iCloud unlock provider: AppleiPhoneUnlock.uk
Summary box
- Price: deposit of $20 USD (£19 GBP)
- Speed: between 2 to 5 days
- Customer Services: 24 hour response time
AppleiPhoneUnlock only started unlocking iCloud account in 2018 also making them newcomers. Having said that they have rocketed up to 2nd place in my list because they prove a great service.
They respond quickly to queries and appear to offer a great service but they are ‘too new’ to be my top pick. They need a longer track record to gain my endorsement as the best.
They also failed to unlock an iPhone 5 when I was carrying out the testing. However they refunded me in vouchers quickly and without a fuss.
Unlock speed was a little slower than my top pick but still a very acceptable 2-5 days to complete. I know speed may be important for some of you so this is another reason why it was the runner up. DoctorUnlock tell me this is something they are working hard to improve so I’ll keep an eye on this.
They use the same charging structure as DoctorUnlock meaning the ask for an initial deposit followed by a second payment to complete the unlock. They say this is because the final price depends on a number of factors such as the model, it’s location and age of your iPhone. These other factors are taken into account once the unlock has been purchased to give a final fee.
How To Unlock Icloud On Iphone 6s Plus
This means they have the ability to unlock devices from anywhere in the world.
AppleiPhoneUnlock accepts a wider variety of payment methods including American Express.
Overall AppleiPhoneUnlock is a good supplier but not yet quite up to the standard of the best. They are gaining on top spot rapidly and DoctorUnlock need to stay on their toes or they may well be replaced as the premium iCloud removal service.
People also ask
Will having an iCloud backup help?
An iCloud backup will not help you unlock iCloud locked devices. The iCloud backup would help you to restore your device if you had forgotten your passcode and had to erase, reset and recover it. However, the passcode recovery procedure does not help you with iCloud locked iPhones.
How can I fix iCloud so my iPhone works?
You can’t fix iCloud because it hasn’t actually broken. What has happened is that the iOS system has secured your iPhone so it can’t be used by someone else if stolen. This is actually how it is meant to work so there isn’t a way to fix iCloud, just a method to follow in order to remove it.
How did I end up with an iCloud locked iPhone?
Having an iCloud locked iPhone is due to the previous owner forgetting to sign out of iCloud before selling their phone to you. Your iCloud locked iPhone won’t be able to be used as it is linked to the iCloud account of the original owner unless you know their username and iCloud password. If you don’t know their login details then they need to sign out of iCloud using the Find my iPhone App to unlock iCloud activation lock.
Can I unlock iCloud activation lock?
Yes, you can unlock iCloud activation lock and remove the iCloud account for free or by paying a reliable service provider such as the ones mentioned in this article.
Can I remove iCloud account on iPhone?
Yes, you can remove iCloud account on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and the Apple Watch even when the iCloud lock has been triggered. This can be done by asking the previous owner to remove it remotely for you or by using one of the recommended paid services found in this article. So if your iPhone has been locked by iCloud activation lock you can remove the iCloud lock for free, or by using a good quality paid service.
Will using an iOS system recovery tool help me?
Using an iOS system recovery tool will not help you because the lock is not an iOS issue. The iOS system is installed on your device and controls how it works whereas the iCloud lock is controlled remotely by Apple from their servers. Performing an iOS system recovery is pointless and a waste of your time.
Affiliate disclosure
Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.
Please understand that I recommend these tools because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something.
Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Wrapping up
The iCloud lock is designed to prevent someone stealing your iPhone and selling it on. It is a good idea as it reduces theft and protects your data. However, it can lead to innocent buyers purchasing locked phones through no fault of their own. The way Apple has implemented this security system means you are stuck at the lock screen and can’t enable your device which seems harsh.
The same Apple ID security system is in place with all iOS based devices such as the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. I have further articles that explain how to bypass, unlock, or remove iCloud activation lock if you would like to know more, or try some other solutions.
Sources
[2] Apple support article: Find the serial number or IMEI on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
[1] Apple support article: Identify your model
- 1. Unlock iPhone Locked Screen
- 2. Unlock iPhone
- 3. Fix Disabld iPhone
- 4. Reset Locked iPhone
- 5. Unlock iPad/iPod Tips
by Jenefey AaronUpdated on 2019-12-30 / Update for Unlock iPhone
iPhone is one of the best Smartphone known for its awesome security as it doesn't allow unauthorized person to access the phone easily. Sometimes the same security feature can put you in trouble when you forget the passcode and don't know how to crack the security due to which user gets frustrated and thinks about getting another phone. But you don't need to worry any more. There are a few methods on how to bypass iPhone 6 without passcode which is shown below. Just go through all the methods and use the best one that makes your job fast and easy.
Way 1: Unlock iPhone 6/6s without Passcode (Recommended)
If you want to unlock iPhone 6/6s without any long and hectic process then using a third party tool will be the best choice. Tenorshare 4uKey is an amazing tool that helps you to unlock iPhone 6s without passcode. It can easily remove 4-digit/6-digit passcode or Touch ID & Face ID within a few minutes. Even if your iPhone's screen or buttons are broken, you don't need to worry on how to unlock the iPhone but make sure you have already backed up all the data of your iPhone as this process will wipe all the data of your iPhone.
Note: Download and install 4uKey on your computer before starting the process.
![Icloud Icloud](https://whytheluckystiff.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/bypass-iCloud-activation.png)
Process on how to unlock iPhone 6s without passcode:
- Launch 4uKey on your computer and connect your iPhone to it using USB cable. As soon as you connect your iPhone, 4uKey will detect it automatically. Click 'Start' to continue further.
- Next you will be asked to download the latest firmware package, simply choose a save path and click on Download button.
- Once the firmware completes downloading, click on 'Unlock Now' to start removing your iPhone passcode. The process will take a little while to complete.
- Now you have successfully removed iPhone passcode. If you have previous backup on iTunes/iCloud, you can restore your iPhone.
How To Unlock Iphone 6s Plus With Icloud Lock
Way 2: Unlock iPhone 6/6s with iTunes
Unlocking iPhone 6/6s with iTunes is the first method that pops up on every Apple users. It is really easy and simple to unlock your iPhone with the help of iTunes. You just need to put your iPhone into recovery mode or DFU mode and then restore it with the help of iTunes. But you better backup all your data to iTunes prior because if you don't have backed up data, you will end up losing all your data during the process of restoring with iTunes.
Process on how to bypass iPhone 6 passcode with iTunes:
- First connect your iPhone 6 to computer and launch iTunes.
- Next turn off your iPhone 6 by holding the sleep/wake or power button and swipe it off.
- Then press and hold home button without releasing the sleep/power button for 10 seconds.
- Release the power button but continue holding the home button until you get a pop up from iTunes that your device is recognized as being in recovery mode and it will say to restore the iPhone.
- Click on OK button.
- Once you have clicked on OK button you will see a message asking you to update or restore the iPhone. You just click on restore button to unlock your iPhone with the help of iTunes.
Way 3: Unlock iPhone 6/6s with iCloud
iCloud can also be used to unlock iPhone 6/6s easily. This is the modern way to unlock your iPhone and the best part about this method is that you can remotely erase you device which means it is not necessary to have your iPhone beside you. You just need to login to iCloud using your iCloud ID that you have used on your iPhone. In this method also you need to backup all your data and information prior because performing this process will erase everything of your iPhone.
Note: Make sure that you have enabled Find My iPhone in your device previously.
Process on how to bypass iPhone 6 passcode without Siri:
- Open your computer and visit www.icloud.com website using any browser.
- Login to account using your Apple ID and Password.
- Now click on All Devices and choose your iPhone that you want to unlock the passcode. Click on Erase iPhone option.
- If you are not using a trusted browser then answer the security question or enter the verification code which is sent to your other devices. But if you are using your computer and want to jump the verification step in the future, simply click on Trust.
- Now you have successfully unlocked your iPhone using iCloud.
You have learned how to unlock iPhone 6 passcode using any of these three methods. Every methods works perfectly fine to bypass the iPhone lock but if you want the best method to crack the iPhone lock then you should better use 4uKey tool. If you have entered wrong passcode many times or forgot iPhone restriction passcode then also, 4uKey will easily remove the passcode from your iPhone.
Let us know what you think about 4ukey after using it and what do you like the best about this tool. Feel free to comment below.