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Apple Account compromised and iPhone stuck in Activation Lock. What do I do?

The iCloud account of my friend is stolen and her phone I locked (because she does not know the new password)! Someone found the password, changed it and changed all the info (BD, etc). So I cannot open the forget password support ticket for her. And now they are asking for money to give the password back to her. They threaten her if she does not pay the money, they are going to delete the iCloud.


She is fine with that. But the problem is her phone is locked at the moment because it's listed as a device for that iCloud and she cannot login or reset the phone or anything. She wants to know if the deleting process is going to release the device so she can make a new iCloud account and unlock her phone.


Does deleting the iCloud account releases the phone from that account or the phone is going to stay locked for ever?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Oct 18, 2024 10:34 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 18, 2024 10:59 AM

Deleting the account does not release it, and she can't delete the account anyway without having access to it.


Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Check the requirements and steps at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not detail what currently constitutes proof other than it “must include the product serial number, IMEI or MEID.” Apple may typically require the original receipt* issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller. If Apple resets the device this will give you access to the device but won't restore access to the account used to lock it. There is nothing that can be done to expedite an Activation Lock request.


*Apple recommends you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 18, 2024 10:59 AM in response to iphoneUser4312

Deleting the account does not release it, and she can't delete the account anyway without having access to it.


Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Check the requirements and steps at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not detail what currently constitutes proof other than it “must include the product serial number, IMEI or MEID.” Apple may typically require the original receipt* issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller. If Apple resets the device this will give you access to the device but won't restore access to the account used to lock it. There is nothing that can be done to expedite an Activation Lock request.


*Apple recommends you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support


Apple Account compromised and iPhone stuck in Activation Lock. What do I do?

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