What is Activation Lock, iCloud Locked or Find My iPhone?

Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch includes a built-in security feature called Find My iPhone that is designed to prevent anyone else from using your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if it's ever lost or stolen.

Activation Lock is enabled automatically when you turn on Find My iPhone on a device using iOS 7 or later.

With Activation Lock, your Apple ID and password will be required before anyone can:

• Turn off Find My iPhone on your device
• Erase your device
• Reactivate and use your device

This can help you keep your device secure, even if it's in the wrong hands, and can improve your chances of recovering it. Even if you erase your device remotely, Activation Lock can continue to deter anyone from reactivating your device without your permission. All you need to do is keep Find My iPhone turned on, and remember your Apple ID and password.

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about Find My iPhone Activation Lock.

How does Activation Lock work?

When you enable Find My iPhone on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, your Apple ID is securely stored on Apple’s activation servers and linked to your device. From that point on, your password will be required before anyone can turn off Find My iPhone on your device, erase your device, or reactivate and use your device.

Activation Lock is enabled automatically when you use Find My iPhone on a device using iOS 7 or later.

How do I check if my device is Activation Locked?

Please check if your device is currently Activation Locked through iCloud by logging into your iCloud account on Apple's website at www.icloud.com and removing the device you want to sell from your list of devices. 

How do I remove Activation Lock so I can sell my Apple device?

If you still have your Apple device, please click iCloud: Remove your device from Find My iPhone which is Apple's instructions on how to remove your device from iCloud.

If you do NOT have your Apple device, please follow the instructions below:

Remove an iOS device, Apple Watch, or Mac you no longer have

If you no longer have the iOS device, Apple Watch, or Mac because you gave it away or sold it, you need to remotely erase it before you can remove it from iCloud. With Apple Watch, you must have watchOS 3 installed to remove Apple Watch.

1. Log in to your iCloud Login and then Click All Devices, then select the device you want to erase. To erase:

   • An iOS device or Apple Watch: Enter your Apple ID password or your family member’s Apple ID password. If you’re not using a trusted browser, answer your security questions or enter the verification code that is sent to your other devices. If you’re using your own computer and want to skip the verification step in the future, click Trust. If you’re using a friend’s computer, click Don’t Trust. If the device you’re erasing has iOS 8 or later, enter a phone number and message.

   • A Mac: Enter your Apple ID password or your family member’s Apple ID password. If you’re not using a trusted browser, answer your security questions or enter the verification code that is sent to your other devices. If you’re using your own computer and want to skip the verification step in the future, click Trust. If you’re using a friend’s computer, click Don’t Trust. Enter a passcode to lock the Mac (you need to use the passcode to unlock it), then enter a message.

   If the device is offline, the remote erase begins the next time it’s online. You receive an email when the device is erased.

   Any credit or debit cards set up for Apple Pay on your device are removed from your device if you erase it, even if it’s offline. Apple Pay is also disabled for your device. For more information, see the Apple Support article Use Wallet on your iPhone or iPod touch.

2. When the device is erased, click Remove from Account.

   All your content is erased, and someone else can now activate the device.

You can also use a different iOS device to remove your device. For more information, open Find My iPhone, tap Help, then go to “Remove your device.” Or you can remove your devices from your iCloud account. For more information, see Manage your devices.