iOS · iPhone & iPad

Remove 'iPhone Locked to Owner' With the Owner's Apple Account

Source-checked About 10 minutes

Answer

Activation Lock cannot be bypassed. Enter the linked owner's Apple Account, ask them to remove the device in Find My, or submit proof of purchase to Apple.

Identify the linked owner

The Apple Account shown on the Activation Lock screen is the account that must authorize removal.

Remove it on the device

The owner can enter their Apple Account and password, or a permitted device passcode, during setup.

Remove it remotely

The previous owner can use iCloud Find Devices to select and remove the iPhone from their account.

Use Apple's ownership process

For a legitimately owned device without account access, submit Apple's Activation Lock support request with valid proof of purchase; do not pay bypass services.

Video walkthrough

If it does not work

  • If “Remove 'iPhone Locked to Owner' With the Owner's Apple Account” remains unresolved, identify which numbered step first produces a different result and preserve that screen or message. Recheck the account, permission, storage, connection, or device prerequisite described above, then follow only the matching Apple Support recovery path; do not combine unrelated resets, bypasses, or third-party repair tools.
Sources and verification

Checked against official documentation on . Scope: iPhone & iPad.

Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.

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