Iphone Activation lock

[gregmoeck]

I got a new iphone and went to run the IOS update, it was asking for the password and I must have forgotten, so after several attempts the phone is at an activation lock.

I called apple and after an hour they told me to send them a copy of the receipt which I did and they said it might take 2-3 business days to unlock it.

I mean WTF, I understand security but they are talking this to an extreme. If you can not provide a receipt you are basically out of luck. I normally toss receipts, thank god I didn't toss this one.

Anyone have this happen to them?

[Old Expat Beast]

Kind of hard to blame anyone else in this situation.

[beshannon]

It takes 10 attempts to lock an iPhone. If it was new, how old could the password have been?

[mjclark32]

If apple didn't help the FBI unlock a phone you may be in trouble here

[Rockrolex]

I had the same problem. I was in a Catch 22 situation. I store my passwords on my phone, but I couldn't get into the phone because Activation Lock was on. I held down both the ON/OFF and Home keys at the same time. Then when the Apple symbol came up, I released both and when the phone passcode number was requested, I put it in and my phone came back up. Oh, I also skipped the request to put in my Apple password.

[Jeffwb65]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

I had the same problem. I was in a Catch 22 situation. I store my passwords on my phone, but I couldn't get into the phone because Activation Lock was on. I held down both the ON/OFF and Home keys at the same time. Then when the Apple symbol came up, I released both and when the phone passcode number was requested, I put it in and my phone came back up. Oh, I also skipped the request to put in my Apple password.

Yep, try this. Do the hard reboot as described above, and You should be able to just enter the 4 digit PIN to get in. If that 4 digit code is the "password" You're saying You forgot, then You are indeed stuck.

[gregmoeck]

thanks, and yes I have a zillion passwords in my head

[schwantz1]

Originally Posted by gregmoeck

thanks, and yes I have a zillion passwords in my head

You might want to consider using a password manager such as LastPass.

[simbal]

My 3 yr old son once locked his iPad by randomly put in a PW when prompt. I called Apple, they had me do two level authentication on the iPad and walked me through how to unlock it. Great service but all my apple devices r registered. And it was an iPad not a phone not sure if that makes a difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ejvette]

I use a program on my IPhone called keeper which you can also access from your PC which I find very handy.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by beshannon

It takes 10 attempts to lock an iPhone. If it was new, how old could the password have been?

to me its the fingerprint to unlock that causes me to forget my password. 99% of the time I don't need my password and its just scans my fingerprint to unlock. Thats why i sometimes forget mine, lack of repetition. Software updates then all of a sudden you need a password

[ejvette]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

to me its the fingerprint to unlock that causes me to forget my password. 99% of the time I don't need my password and its just scans my fingerprint to unlock. Thats why i sometimes forget mine, lack of repetition. Software updates then all of a sudden you need a password

That's why you should use a pin number that's easy to remember like the last digits of your kids cellphone or office or home or wife phone number ect ect

[mailman]

I keep all my passwords written down in a book. This way if I get locked out of a device it's easy to get in. Plus everything we do online requires one. Impossible for me to remember them all.

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by ejvette

That's why you should use a pin number that's easy to remember like the last digits of your kids cellphone or office or home or wife phone number ect ect

I have a 4 digit pw in my personal phone/iPad , but for work our password has to have an uppercase letter, numbers, and a $&@?! Etc. it's a pain when it doesn't recognize my finger...

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

to me its the fingerprint to unlock that causes me to forget my password. 99% of the time I don't need my password and its just scans my fingerprint to unlock. Thats why i sometimes forget mine, lack of repetition. Software updates then all of a sudden you need a password

You need the same 4 or 6 digit pin number everytime you restart the phone. Unless you never power your phone down this should not be an issue

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by beshannon

You need the same 4 or 6 digit pin number everytime you restart the phone. Unless you never power your phone down this should not be an issue

yeah, my phone hasn't actually been off for years. airplane mode its the closest it gets.

That sounds terrible now that i think about it.

[wb55]

You need to go into an apple retail store with proof of purchase and ID. A manager can request for it to be removed. This information was correct 3 years ago when I worked there, not sure what has changed since, but retail store will be first port of call

[faldoc]

Originally Posted by mailman

I keep all my passwords written down in a book. This way if I get locked out of a device it's easy to get in. Plus everything we do online requires one. Impossible for me to remember them all.

My list has become unreadable over the years and many pages long.

Now I enter them in my own shorthand on a spreadsheet as I use them and update with changes or additions.

Over the course of a year or so the list is complete and readable.

[Peter99]

But are Apple ever really helpful unless they are trying to sell you something?
I can recall once when my reasonably new iPhone would not except a charge. I was stunned!
I immediately went to my local (London area) Apple shop and was informed it was a 4 day wait before they they had the time to look at it!
I was far from happy when I observed about 10/12 sales staff milling around on the sales side being very jolly keeping the punters happy. But on the tech side: zilch!
My communication with the world was finished!
So I went home and and Googled the web as one does and it would seem that the first check to do was the socket for fluff.
Lo and behold it was fluff in the socket!
It didn't stop the plug going, in but stopped the charge.
Ever since my opinion of Apple is not the greatest in not having staff in the shop to cover the problem I had.

[DeeTee]

They do that to prevent people walking in with stolen phones getting them unlocked. Back in the day people used to get violently robbed for their phones on the street, that's all stopped due to Apple hardlocking their phones.

[gregmoeck]

Update, still locked !

I'm trying to get the wirless company to get proof of purchase from att to give to apple..Apples tech support is like most tech support, they say anything to get u off the phone.

[Valenciawatchrepair]

Originally Posted by gregmoeck

Update, still locked !

I'm trying to get the wirless company to get proof of purchase from att to give to apple..Apples tech support is like most tech support, they say anything to get u off the phone.

Wow, that's ridiculous.

Don't own anything apple except a 1st gen iPad Mini. I'll withhold my comments about that lovely paper weight.

[wb55]

Originally Posted by gregmoeck

Update, still locked !



I'm trying to get the wirless company to get proof of purchase from att to give to apple..Apples tech support is like most tech support, they say anything to get u off the phone.

At the risk of sounding harsh you were given good information earlier on in this thread. They can't take it off without proof of purchase and I agree with them on that front. I buy my phones direct from apple sim free so getting proof of purchase wouldn't ever be an issue but I know it isn't always that easy.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by DeeTee

They do that to prevent people walking in with stolen phones getting them unlocked. Back in the day people used to get violently robbed for their phones on the street, that's all stopped due to Apple hardlocking their phones.

Yup. while I sympathize with OP, this is a good policy on Apple's part. people all over the world were getting mugged for their iphones

[gregmoeck]

day #5

[wb55]

Originally Posted by gregmoeck

day #5

Day #5 and still no proof of purchase. Still locked as genuine purchase can't be verified so device being stolen still a possibility in Apple's eyes. Shocker.

[jw0n]

Ok, so you basically need your Apple id to log onto your phone, right?

Do you have iTunes? Or a MacBook? In fact, I am positive you can log onto iCloud (via regular browser from your laptop/PC) and it would require your Apple id as authentication. How about you try the "Forgot Password" option from there? That way, you can reset your password and use the new one to activate your phone.

[gregmoeck]

Yeah...I received an email from apple support, they unlocked my phone and I'm back in business...I won't forget the password again...

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by gregmoeck

Yeah...I received an email from apple support, they unlocked my phone and I'm back in business...I won't forget the password again...

I think that was the point of the entire exercise.

I read your thread and posts and placed myself in the mindset of someone who nabbed your phoned.

I'm glad it was handled the way it was. It would have made it too frustrating for a thief and just the correct amount of frustration for you.