How to bypass Activation Lock on iPhone

When you enable Find My iPhone on your iPhone, it protects your data and prevents the wrong person from using your device. However, if you have purchased a second-hand iPhone, you may have difficulty accessing the smartphone and bypassing the lock. Fortunately, there are several ways to bypass Activation Lock, regardless of your iPhone version.

Read on to find out more.

How to bypass Activation Lock on iPhone X, 11, 12 and 13

Let’s look at the most common ways to solve Activation Lock issues on iPhone X, 11, 12 or 13.

Use an online program

Many online programs can help you access your iPhone when you are doing this“Re struggling to open it. For example, Apple iPhone Unlock and Unlock Doctor are relatively safe and reliable lock removal apps. It is compatible with all iPhone models and supports all iOS versions, which is an excellent way to get quick access to your device. Both programs guide users through the unlocking process with simple on-screen instructions, so you won’t have much difficulty completing the task.

But sharing your device information with third-party software is potentially dangerous, and some users may be reluctant to rely on their service. Online solutions are often full of malware and transmit viruses that can infect your iPhone and put your personal information at risk. If you are uncomfortable using an online program, consider trying a different method.

Use your Apple ID

If you purchased a used iPhone, the previous owner may help you set up the device by entering their Apple ID in the activation window. This information will unlock the iPhone. Follow the steps below to bypass previous owner passcode lock:

1. Click on the “Unlock with Passcode” option from the iPhone activation page.
   
2. Type the two-factor activation code that the previous owner will receive from Apple in the appropriate field.
3. Type the iPhone passcode to remove the activation lock.

If you are trying to unlock an iPhone with iOS 11 or higher, the original owner can log into the iCloud website. They must remove the smartphone from their account to unlock it. Here’s what they should do to give you full access to the device:

1. Head to the iCloud webpage and enter your Apple ID credentials.
   
2. Go to “Find iPhone” and select “All Devices”.
   
3. Go to the list of available devices and click on the device you wish to disconnect from your Apple account.
   
4. Tap the “Erase iPhone” option to confirm your decision.
   
5. Click Remove from account.
   

When the original owner removes the smartphone from their Apple account, you will have no difficulty in accessing all its features.

Use the “Finder” program

If you are a MacBook user, Apple recommends using the “Finder” program to unlock your iPhone. Although this is one of the most secure unlocking methods, note that it will erase all data stored on the device.

If your iPhone X, 11, 12 or 13 was connected to the app before, follow these steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB tethering cord.
   
2. Launch macOS Finder from the desktop.
   
3. When your Mac detects the connected device, click on the Restore iPhone option under the General tab.
   

If you have not connected iPhone to Finder before, you can unlock it by entering recovery mode. Here’s how to do it:

1. Turn off your iPhone and connect it to your Mac.
   
2. Quickly press and release the iPhone’s “Volume Up” key and repeat the process with the “Volume Down” key.
   
3. Press and hold the side button until the smartphone goes into recovery mode.
   
4. Launch the Finder app on your Mac.
   
5. When the program recognizes the connected device, select your iPhone.
   
6. Click “Restore”.

The procedure will unlock the iPhone by clearing the stored data and restore its default settings.

Use iTunes

Windows users can bypass the activation page using the iTunes app on their PC. If you have connected the smartphone to your Windows PC before, follow these instructions:

1. Use a USB cord to connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the iTunes app from your desktop.
   
2. After the program recognizes the connected device, select the “Restore iPhone” option.
   

You can modify this method and unlock an iPhone that you have not connected to your computer before. Let’s do this:

1. Turn off your iPhone and connect it to your computer using a USB cable.
   
2. Quickly click and release the Volume Up key and repeat the process using the Volume Down key.
   
3. Press and hold the side button until you activate the recovery mode.
4. Open iTunes on your computer and select your iPhone.
   
5. Click “Restore”.
   

Unlocking the phone from recovery mode will delete the saved data and return the iPhone to its factory settings.

How to bypass Activation Lock on iPhone 6, 7, 8

Even though iOS 6, 7, and 8 are older versions of the operating system, you can still rely on macOS Finder or iTunes. These programs will help you to unlock your smartphone without a passcode.

Use the macOS Finder

If you’ve connected your mobile device to Finder before, here’s how to unlock it on your Mac:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cord.
   
2. Open the Finder app from the desktop and check if it recognizes the connected smartphone.
   
3. After the program detects your iPhone, click on the “Restore iPhone” button under the “General” tab.
   

Keep in mind that this method only works with devices that you previously connected to your Mac. To unlock a new device, you will need to activate recovery mode.

This is what you need to do to enter recovery mode on your iPhone 6:

1. Turn off your iPhone and connect it to your Mac.
   
2. Click and hold the Home button and the Side buttons at the same time.
   
3. Keep holding the buttons until the recovery mode page appears.
4. Open macOS Finder and select your iPhone from the list of recognized devices.
   
5. Click “Restore”.
   

Your Mac will reset your iPhone and return it to its default settings.

Here’s how to unlock iPhone 7 through recovery mode:

1. After turning off your iPhone, connect it to your Mac.
   
2. Press and hold the Up button or the Volume Down button to activate the recovery mode.
3. Launch the “Finder” program and select your iPhone.
   
4. Click “Restore”.
   

The procedure will erase the contents of your smartphone and restore the factory settings.

This is what you need to do to enable recovery mode on iPhone 8:

1. When you turn off your smartphone, connect it to your Mac.
   
2. Press and hold the Volume Up button and release it and do the same with the Volume Down button.
3. Hold the side button until you see the Recovery Mode window.
4. Open the Finder app on your Mac and select your iPhone from the list of options.
   
5. Click “Restore” to reset and unlock the smartphone.
   

Use iTunes

Windows users can rely on iTunes to unlock their iPhones without a passcode. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Use a USB cord to connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Open iTunes from the desktop.
   
3. When the computer detects the connected smartphone, press “Restore iPhone”.
   

If you have never connected the smartphone to your PC, you must activate the recovery mode before unlocking it. This is how it is done on the iPhone 6:

1. Turn off the iPhone and connect it to your computer.
   
2. Click and hold the Home button and the side buttons.
   
3. Release the buttons when you see the recovery mode page.
4. Launch iTunes and select your iPhone from the list of recognized devices.
   
5. Click “Restore”.
   

iTunes will erase your saved data and reset your iPhone, allowing you to unlock it.

This is how you enter recovery mode on iPhone 7:

1. Turn off your mobile device and connect it to your computer.
   
2. Click and hold the Up button or the Volume Down button until the Recovery mode page appears.
3. Open iTunes from the desktop and tap on your iPhone from the list of detected devices.
   
4. Click “Restore”.
   

All saved data will be gone from your iPhone, reset it to default settings and allow you to access all its features.

Here is what you need to do to unlock iPhone 8 in recovery mode on PC:

1. After turning off your iPhone, connect it to your computer.
   
2. Press and hold the Volume Up button and quickly release it and repeat the process using the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the side button until you activate the recovery mode.
4. Open iTunes from the desktop and choose your iPhone from the list of connected devices.
   
5. Click “Restore”.
   

This method will unlock your iPhone 8 when you don’t remember or don’t have the activation passcode.

Easily unlock your iPhone

You are cut off from important data and useful software when you can’t unlock your iPhone. The good news is that several methods will help you bypass Activation Lock, no matter what version of iOS your iPhone is running. You can use your Apple ID, online tools, macOS Finder, or iTunes to regain access to your smartphone.

Have you faced this problem before? Which of the above methods solves the problem and allows you to bypass Activation Lock? Let us know in the comments section below.