How can I bypass passcode and check for Activation Lock on a secondhand iPhone?

nickayla80 wrote:

Hi, I bought a secondhand iPhone and it’s asking for the passcode after restart. It doesn’t say Activation Lock, just a passcode. The seller isn’t responding and I’m locked out. Can you check if this device is activation locked or help me reset it?”

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

You've been scammed and you bought a TOTALLY useless phone you can never use. Since the seller isn't responding to you, it's likely it wasn't their phone to begin with. And since there is NO WAY for you get help from whoever originally locked the phone, you can't use it. EVER. Apple won't help you. You aren't the original buyer of the phone and you don't have the original purchase receipt from when the phone was purchased.

It's useless. If you can't get your money back, recycle it responsibly and learn from this poor buying decision.

Read this too --> The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community

“Can you check if this device is activation locked or help me reset it?”

No to both.

If it has a passcode on it, it’s activation locked.

Phone is useless to you.

You are going to need the passcode from the former owner if you want to use the phone. Apple can't help with that.

You will also need the Apple ID and Apple ID Password from the former owner if you want reset the phone. Again....Apple can't help with that.

Try for a refund of the phone. This sounds like nothing but trouble for you. The phone is likely stolen. Unfortunately, all too often, the seller disappears because they have their money and you wind up with a useless phone.

When the seller disappears, stops responding, or blocks you once they have your money, that is almost NEVER a good sign.

it seems likely that you have been scammed into buying a useless, stolen, “brick.”

Return it for a refund. It's almost certainly stolen.