How to Remove Activation Lock Without Previous Owner

When it comes to Apple products, the activation lock on many iOS devices is the bane of an owner’s existence sometimes. The activation lock is a mechanism put by Apple to ensure lost devices are easily recovered, and the data of the user is protected. You might be wondering, ‘But why would I need to remove the activation lock if it’s so helpful?’.

Well, for starters, it locks you out of your device if you forget the credentials. This is especially bad for people who bought the device second-hand and aren’t its primary owners. It’s equally as tricky for people who owned the device but lost their Apple ID credentials. Don’t worry though; yours truly is here to teach you how to remove the activation lock without the previous owner in a few simple steps. Let’s get right to it!

How to Remover Activation Lock by Contacting the Previous Owner

The easiest and most straightforward way to get rid of the activation lock is to get in touch with the previous owner of the device. They can easily give you the credentials needed to unlock the device, unlock it for you in person or do it remotely. All they have to do is remove the device from their iCloud account, and you’re good to go.

If you’re confused about how to get in touch with the previous owner, here are some tips:

• Try finding key information like a name, contact number, or email from the receipt of the purchase of your device
• Get in touch with the shop or dealer through which you bought the second-hand phone and ask them to check for the owner
• Look at the lock screen message and see if it shows any information on how to get in touch with the owner

Note: This method heavily relies on the cooperation of the previous. There may be situations where no matter how tactful or sincere you are, the owner may not cooperate. Be mindful of when to stop asking them and move on to other options.

To save yourself the trouble, always check for an activation lock when buying a second-hand iOS device. This will ensure there is no lock on it, and you can set it up. Or, you can just set it up at the shop or in front of the person you’re getting it from. 

How to Remover Activation Lock without the Previous owner

Method 1: Using DNS Method 

The DNS bypass method is a popular iCloud circumvention method. But before we can proceed any further, we need to make to understand what it is. DNS stands for domain name system, a mechanism that reads domain names and turns them into numerical IP addresses. What a DNS bypass does is it takes the activation request away from the Apple servers and to third-party iCloud bypass servers instead. This gives the device a command to unlock without needing any credentials. 

1. If your device is already connected to the internet, disconnect it and forget the network. Now restart the device and get to the Wi-Fi part of the setup. 
2. Once you reach the ‘Choose Wi-Fi Network’ screen, press the small ‘i’ symbol next to the network.
3. Go to the ‘Configure DNS’ menu and choose the ‘Manual’ setting.
4. Now press ‘+Add Server’ and add a regional address. Here is a list for your convenience:
   • USA: 104.154.51.7
   • Europe: 104.155.28.90
   • Asia: 104.155.220.58
   • South America: 35.199.88.219
   • Australia and Oceania: 35.189.47.23
   • Other: 78.100.17.60
5. Now click the back button and go to the Wi-Fi page.
6. It is time to reconnect your phone to the WiFi and enjoy an unlocked device.

Seemed easy, right? This method has a bad reputation for no reason. It’s just a few simple steps, and you’re ready to go. However, it’s important to know that based on your iOS version, device model, and any other reason, this method might not work. Similarly, even if it does work, there’s no guarantee you’d get to access all the iCloud features.

Method 2: Using a Professional 3rd party Unlocker tool: Unlockit iCloud Remover 

No matter what lock is causing you to not be able to access your device, the Unlockit iCloud Remover can get rid of it for you. This professional tool prides itself on being able to remove all sorts of barriers on iOS devices. The best part? It gets the job done in a matter of minutes, and you can access all of your device’s features afterward. 

Step-by-Step Guide 

If you’re ready to give this tool a shot, here’s what you need:

1. Download the Unlockit iCloud Remover on your MAC and connect your device with a lightning cable. 
2. Run the program and read the disclaimer in detail. Once you have understood the cautions, click ‘Start.’
3. The program will now download a jailbreak package onto your computer and begin jailbreaking your device once it’s done. The device will automatically go into Recovery Mode.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to manually put your phone into DFU mode and let the jailbreaking process complete.
5. Once the device is jailbroken, it will automatically restart. If it does not, you need to force restart it yourself. Now click Next to proceed.
6. Verify the information related to your device and click on ‘Start to Remove.’ In a couple of minutes, the bypass process will be complete.

Video Tutorial about How to Remove Activation Lock in just a few clicks

Compatibility

The Unlockit iCloud remover is compatible with multiple devices as long as they run on iOS 12-16.5. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the models included:

• iPhone: iPhone 5S(iOS 12.5.5 and older), iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X and iPhone SE 1
• iPod touch: iPod touch 6 and iPod touch 7
• iPad: 5th Generation iPad (2017), 6th Generation iPad (2018), and 7th Generation iPad (2019)
• iPad Mini: iPad Mini 2 (2013) for Mac, iPad Mini 3 (2014) for Mac and iPad Mini 4 (2015)
• iPad Air: iPad Air (2013) and iPad Air 2 (2014)
• iPad Pro: 12.9-inch 1st Generation iPad Pro (2015), 12.9-inch 2nd Generation iPad Pro (2017), 9.7-inch iPad Pro (2016) and 10.5-inch iPad Pro (2017)

Conclusion

Even though the iCloud activation lock was invented to keep iOS devices safe (and it does to a great extent), there are certain cases where it can be an obstacle in the Apple experience. This is particularly applied when the device was bought second-hand or the owner forgot their own credentials. 

However, relying on a third party to cooperate for you to be able to access your device is always a tricky task since you can’t change someone else’s mind so readily. That’s why other methods like DNS bypass and a professional unlocking tool are so popular. 

But, between the two, a professional tool like Unlockit iCloud Remover is the better choice. Not only does it save time and keep your personal information protected, but it has a great success rate. It’s no wonder this method is popular with so many users online.