Unlocking an iCloud Locked iPhone Without Knowing the Password
Cracking the password on an iPhone can be challenging, especially when the iCloud activation lock prevents you from logging in. This guide walks you through various methods, including contacting Apple support, penalizing online services, and utilizing known vulnerabilities. By following these steps, you can unlock your loved one's iPhone and preserve the sentimental value.
Understanding the Situation
Back in my days, I successfully unlocked an iCloud locked iPhone that belonged to my late grandmother. Despite losing some features post-unlock, the achievement was significant. This guide is both for those dealing with an iCloud activation lock and those wanting to remove the Apple ID from their iPhone without knowing the password.
Apple Support and Ownership Proof
The first step involves reaching out to Apple support. According to their help article, you need proof of ownership such as an invoice or bill to request unlocking. Unfortunately, my grandmother's iPhone lacked such documentation, preventing us from initiating the process.
Alternative Online Services
Another approach involves leveraging online services that promise to unlock iPhones without the password. However, many of these services are fraudulent, as evidenced by the numerous fraud alerts reported on Quora. These services often end up costing hundreds of dollars and may not work as advertised.
Grayskey and GrayKey
Beyond regular methods, there’s the GrayKey device, developed by Grayshift. This device has the capability to remove passcodes and even iCloud activation locks, as it reportedly helped the FBI unlock iPhones when Apple declined. However, the GrayKey device is expensive, ranging from $15,000 to $30,000, making it a less viable option for the average user.
Utilizing Known Vulnerabilities
For a more DIY approach, I discovered a vulnerability that can unlock iPhones without a password. This method, however, only works on older iPhone models. Here's a detailed article about using this vulnerability. While it may require jailbreaking the device and losing some features, it offers a cheaper and practical solution compared to contacting Apple or paying for dubious online services.
Retention and Additional Tips
Considering the shortcomings of using this method, such as the need for jailbreaking and potential partial functionality loss, we decided against it. However, if you're not deterred by these issues, you might want to proceed. Remember, if you have the required ownership documents, it’s best to contact Apple support directly. For individuals who purchased a used iPhone, requesting the original owner to unlock it or seeking a refund from the marketplace is always an option.
Conclusion
This solution can also help you remove the Apple ID from an iPhone if you don't know the password, and the good news is that features like cellular data and calling work normally after removing the Apple ID. Hopefully, this guide helps you find a viable solution for your locked iPhone.