Are you having trouble activating an iPhone that has been reported lost? iPhones are a popular choice for many people, and it can be frustrating when you purchase a second-hand iPhone, and it is reported lost. Unfortunately, activating a lost iPhone can be a tricky task since the iPhone is blacklisted and can’t be used. However, in this blog post, we will provide you with different effective methods to activate an iPhone that has been reported lost.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we dive into the primary methods, you should have the following things you’ll need to get your task done.
- A computer or Mac with iTunes installed.
- A free or activated SIM card.
- iCloud account details of the previous owner or their contact.
What Requires Your Focus?
Before we get started with the methods, there are some things to consider before you make an attempt to activate a lost iPhone:
- Legal Issue: Before you activate a lost iPhone, make sure you have the legal right to do so and provide valid evidence to the authorities and the previous owner.
- iCloud Activation Lock: Check if the device has iCloud Activation Lock. Suppose the iCloud is on and the previous owner did not remove the device from their account or if you don’t have their account details. In that case, the device won’t activate, and you’ll be required to use bypass tools to remove the activation lock.
- Network Compatibility: Ensure the iPhone is compatible with your network carrier.
- Time: Depending on your preferred method, activating a lost iPhone can take you hours, days, or weeks to accomplish.
Different Methods to Activate A Lost iPhone
There are several ways to activate a lost iPhone, and each method has a varying degree of success based on the situation and the device’s model/OS.
Method 1: Contact The Previous Owner
The first method to activate a lost iPhone is to contact the previous owner. It is the most straightforward method, and it involves reaching out to the previous owner and requesting them to remove the device from their iCloud account.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Contact the previous owner: Get in touch with the previous owner and request them to remove the device from their iCloud account.
- Provide Evidence: Provide evidence that the phone is now yours so they can remove the device from their iCloud account.
- Remove Xfinity/AT&T’s Lost or Stolen Lock: If the iPhone has Xfinity/AT&T’s Lost or Stolen Lock, the previous owner needs to contact the carrier to have it removed or unlocked.
- Factory Reset: After removing the Activation Lock, instruct the previous owner to factory reset the device.
- Activation: Turn on the iPhone, and you should be able to activate it. If it prompts for the previous owner’s Apple ID and password, you’ve missed a step.
Pros:
- The previous owner might appreciate your honesty, and they will be willing to remove the device from their iCloud account.
- This method is legal and transparent.
Cons:
- You might not be able to contact the previous owner, especially if you purchased the device from a second-hand shop or online.
- If the previous owner initially sold the iPhone because they couldn’t repay their debt, they might not be willing to remove the device from their iCloud account.
Method 2: Use iTunes to Activate the iPhone
The second method to activate a lost iPhone is to use iTunes to activate the iPhone. However, this method will only work if the previous owner disabled the Find My iPhone feature and then erased all the data from the device.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Connect the iPhone to a computer: Use a USB cable to connect the iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer that has iTunes installed.
- Launch iTunes: Launch iTunes on the computer you connected your iPhone to.
- Enter Recovery Mode: Put the iPhone into recovery mode. The instructions vary based on the iPhone Model. Refer to the Apple support page.
- Select the iPhone: iTunes will detect your device in recovery mode. Click on the “Restore” option, then select the iPhone from the iTunes menu.
- Restore the iPhone: iTunes will restore the device to factory settings, and the activation screen will appear. Follow the prompts to activate the device.
Pros:
- It’s a straightforward method if the previous owner disabled Find My iPhone and erased all data from the device.
- No additional software required.
Cons:
- You might not be able to use this method if the previous owner didn’t disable Find My iPhone and erase all the data from the device.
- It’s time consuming as the device will restart after Factory reset and restore.
Method 3: Use Third-Party Tools to Bypass iCloud Activation Lock
If you can’t get in touch with the previous owner or the previous owner is unwilling to remove the iCloud Activation Lock, your best bet is to bypass it. Several third-party tools can help you remove the iCloud activation lock, but their success rate varies depending on the device model and OS.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Select the right tool: Choose the right tool based on the device model and OS.
- Download and install the software: After selecting the right tool, download and install the software that suits your needs.
- Connect the iPhone to computer: Connect the iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.
- Launch the software: Launch the software on your computer and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Remove Activation Lock: The tool will remove the Activation Lock, and you should be able to activate the iPhone.
Pros:
- You can bypass the iCloud activation lock if the previous owner can’t provide their iCloud account details, or they are unwilling to remove the device from their iCloud account.
- It’s relatively inexpensive as some of the tools are free
Cons:
- Not all of them are genuine software and can result in data leakage or malware installation.
- It might not work based on the device model and OS.
- The tool can void the warranty of your device, and Apple services might refuse to work on the device.
Why Can’t I Activate My Lost iPhone?
There are several reasons why you can’t activate your lost iPhone, and here are some of those reasons and fixes.
Reason 1: No SIM Card: If you don’t have a SIM card, you won’t be able to activate the iPhone.
Fix: Insert a SIM card into the iPhone, or connect the iPhone to Wi-Fi and use Facetime or iMessage to activate it.
Reason 2: iCloud Activation Lock: If the previous owner didn’t remove the device from their iCloud account, it won’t activate.
Fix: Contact the previous owner and request them to remove the device from their iCloud account, or use a bypass tool to remove the iCloud activation lock.
Reason 3: IMEI/Blacklisted: If the iPhone’s IMEI is blacklisted, you won’t be able to activate it.
Fix: Unfortunately, there’s no fix if the IMEI is blacklisted. You can only sell the device for parts, or use it as a paperweight.
Implications and Recommendations
Before you purchase a second-hand iPhone, make sure that the device isn’t reported lost or stolen. The best way to ensure this is to purchase from a reputable dealer or look up the device’s IMEI number before making a purchase. Also, make sure to check if the device has any activation locks, which will hinder your attempts to activate the device. If you purchase a lost or stolen iPhone, you’ll encounter difficulties to activate it, and you might get into serious legal tussle.
5 FAQs About Activating An iPhone That Has Been Reported Lost
Q1: What do I do if the previous owner is unwilling to remove the device from their iCloud account?
A: If the previous owner is unwilling to remove the device from their iCloud account, you can’t activate the iPhone. You will have to use a bypass tool to remove the Activation Lock.
Q2: Can I activate a lost iPhone without an Apple ID?
A: No, you can’t activate an iPhone without an Apple ID. You need the previous owner’s Apple ID to remove the device from their iCloud account.
Q3: What happens if I use a bypass tool to activate a lost iPhone?
A: Using a bypass tool can void the warranty of your device, Apple services might refuse to work on the device, and the tool might install malware on your device.
Q4: Why is my iPhone still not activated after trying all the methods?
A: If your iPhone is still not activated, it might have a hardware or software issue. You should take it to an authorized Apple service centre for repair.
Q5: Why is Wi-Fi not working on my iPhone?
A: If Wi-Fi is not working on your iPhone, make sure Wi-Fi is turned on in its settings. If that doesn’t work, reset network settings, restart the router, update iPhone software, and check if other devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Final Words
Activating a lost iPhone might be challenging, but if you follow the correct procedures, you can do it successfully. Contacting the previous owner, using iTunes, and third-party tools are the primary methods to activate a lost iPhone. However, before you try any of the methods, you should make sure you have the legal right to do so and provide valid evidence to the authorities and the previous owner.