Request for Assistance with Activation Locked iPhone I Found

This can be answered quite clearly, even though the situation is unusual.

The Activation Lock can be removed only by the original Apple ID owner. Apple makes no exceptions here, even if the former owner confirms in writing that they no longer want the device. Screenshots, chat messages, photos of where the iPhone was found, or the Medical ID are not sufficient.

According to Apple, there are only two ways to remove Activation Lock:

• The original owner signs in with their Apple ID, or
• The original owner removes the device from their iCloud account via iCloud.com → Devices → select the iPhone → “Remove from account”.

Without one of these actions, the iPhone remains permanently locked. Apple Support cannot unlock it unless the person requesting it can prove ownership with the original purchase receipt showing their name. A found device does not meet this requirement.

Also important:

The Medical ID is intended solely for emergencies. It has no legal or technical role in transferring ownership or unlocking an iPhone.

In short:

If the previous owner truly no longer wants the device, they must actively remove it from their iCloud account. Only then can the iPhone be set up and used normally. If they don’t do this, the device cannot be used, regardless of good intentions or documentation.

That may be frustrating, but this strict rule is exactly what makes Activation Lock effective against theft and misuse.

PS: Please note that, apart from Apple moderators, we are all regular users here, just like you. Our goal is to help each other with technical and usage-related questions. This is not an official Apple Support channel.

Hallo Rostyslav,

ein kurzer, aber wichtiger Hinweis zum Datenschutz:

Apple liest hier nicht mit – das Forum ist öffentlich, und somit für alle im Internet einsehbar.

Deinen Beitrag kannst Du nur etwa 15 Minuten nach dem Posten selbst bearbeiten. Diese Frist ist aktuell noch nicht abgelaufen. Ich habe eine Meldung an die Moderation weitergegeben, damit Deine Daten geschützt werden.

Wenn Du Apple direkt kontaktieren möchtest (was hier sinnvoll wäre), findest Du alle Wege hier:

> Kontakt - Apple kontaktieren - Apple (DE)

Beste Grüße!

PS: Bitte beachte, dass wir hier, mit Ausnahme der Apple-Moderatoren, alle normale Nutzer sind, genau wie Du. Unser Ziel ist es, uns gegenseitig bei technischen und anwendungsbezogenen Fragen zu helfen. Dies ist kein offizieller Apple-Support-Kanal.

Thanks for posting your question in the Apple Support Communities. We have a Community for English speakers here: Official Apple Support Community

Please feel free to join and post your question there, or repost your question in German here: Offizielle Apple Support Community

Have a nice day!