User profile for user: kalvin102
kalvin102 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

MacBook Pro Activation Lock

Hi everyone,


I’m a software engineer at a company, and I’ve been assigned a 2015 15" MacBook Pro. However, the device is still associated with a previous user’s personal Apple ID from around 2016.

The issue is that the previous user no longer remembers the password and no longer has access to the phone number linked to that Apple ID. We also don’t have the original purchase receipt — the laptop is about 10 years old, and it wasn’t directly purchased by my company. It was granted to the company by upper management at the time, so we don’t have documentation like invoices or proof of purchase.


Because of the activation lock, there are many things I can’t do on this Mac. Is there any official process or support option available to unlock the device in a case like this?


My company is willing to provide documentation if needed — such as our company certificate, Apple Developer Program enrollment, ISO 27001 certification, or a formal request letter from management.


Any guidance on how to resolve this would be greatly appreciated.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Nov 24, 2025 9:01 PM

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User profile for user: Limnos
Limnos
User level: Level 10
426,029 points

Posted on Nov 25, 2025 3:07 AM

If you want to look into getting the device unlocked, select the lock removal service link for businesses at: https://al-support.apple.com/#/kbase My guess is that none of those items of documentation you mention will actually prove you are the true owner of the device. Apple is horribly vague as to what proof they will accept but I have yet to see anybody post here on it being anything other than the original receipt for purchase from an Apple authorized retailer or Apple itself. I suspect Apple can't authenticate anything else, which can be faked. Unless the previous owner can regain use of their account then I strongly suspect Apple will not unlock the device for you.


• For help with a forgotten Apple ID (this is likely an active email address or one used in the past), click here --> If you forgot your Apple Account primary email address or phone number - Apple Support

• For help with a forgotten Apple Account password, click here --> If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support


If you find you can’t sign in, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery (get Apple’s own instructions in this article: How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support ) to regain access to your account. Account recovery might take a few days or longer, depending on the specific account information you can provide to verify your identity. One tip to using account recovery it to look for options in small blue letters beneath the normal log-in items if you cannot complete the requested information.


Here are links to posts by Community contributors which provide additional detail about the account recovery process and what to do if you do not receive a text or call: Activation Lockout Issues - Apple Community and How can I reset my Apple Account password? - Apple Community and How to delete Apple ID when you can't log… - Apple Community This thread outlines the multi-step process and final recovery —> My Apple ID is locked, how do I fix it? - Apple Community , and this one about things you should and should not do while waiting —> How can I recover my Apple ID after multi… - Apple Community


To avoid this kind of thing in the future have a look at: About Managed Apple Accounts in Apple Business Manager - Apple Support




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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Limnos
Limnos
User level: Level 10
426,029 points

Nov 25, 2025 3:07 AM in response to kalvin102

If you want to look into getting the device unlocked, select the lock removal service link for businesses at: https://al-support.apple.com/#/kbase My guess is that none of those items of documentation you mention will actually prove you are the true owner of the device. Apple is horribly vague as to what proof they will accept but I have yet to see anybody post here on it being anything other than the original receipt for purchase from an Apple authorized retailer or Apple itself. I suspect Apple can't authenticate anything else, which can be faked. Unless the previous owner can regain use of their account then I strongly suspect Apple will not unlock the device for you.


• For help with a forgotten Apple ID (this is likely an active email address or one used in the past), click here --> If you forgot your Apple Account primary email address or phone number - Apple Support

• For help with a forgotten Apple Account password, click here --> If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support


If you find you can’t sign in, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery (get Apple’s own instructions in this article: How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support ) to regain access to your account. Account recovery might take a few days or longer, depending on the specific account information you can provide to verify your identity. One tip to using account recovery it to look for options in small blue letters beneath the normal log-in items if you cannot complete the requested information.


Here are links to posts by Community contributors which provide additional detail about the account recovery process and what to do if you do not receive a text or call: Activation Lockout Issues - Apple Community and How can I reset my Apple Account password? - Apple Community and How to delete Apple ID when you can't log… - Apple Community This thread outlines the multi-step process and final recovery —> My Apple ID is locked, how do I fix it? - Apple Community , and this one about things you should and should not do while waiting —> How can I recover my Apple ID after multi… - Apple Community


To avoid this kind of thing in the future have a look at: About Managed Apple Accounts in Apple Business Manager - Apple Support




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MacBook Pro Activation Lock

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