Iphone Locked to Owner with lost mode enabled - Unknown Apple ID

Hello,


I lost my iPhone (with my SIM inside) for one day. When I found it the next day, someone had already reset the phone and logged in with their Apple ID. Now my phone shows "iPhone Locked to Owner" with that unknown Apple ID. The person also enabled Lost Mode on my device.I don't Known the Person.


I am the original owner of the iPhone. I still have the purchase bill, original box, and AppleCare warranty, but I am unable to remove that person’s Apple ID from my iPhone.


I contacted Apple Support, but they are not giving me proper guidance on how to resolve this issue.


What steps should I take to prove ownership and get my iPhone unlocked from this unauthorized Apple ID?


Thanks in advance.

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 7, 2025 2:04 AM

Reply
4 replies

Oct 7, 2025 9:45 AM in response to Ranji192

Ranji192 wrote:

I lost my iPhone (with my SIM inside) for one day. When I found it the next day, someone had already reset the phone and logged in with their Apple ID.


If your phone was associated with your Apple ID, and had Find My turned on, the person who found it would not have been able to do that unless they knew (or could easily guess) your Apple ID and Apple ID password.


They probably would needed to get past the passcode lock, just to get to the point where the phone demanded entry of your Apple ID password to let them log out of your Apple Account and into their Apple Account.


Is there something that you are not telling us?


Now my phone shows "iPhone Locked to Owner" with that unknown Apple ID. The person also enabled Lost Mode on my device.I don't Known the Person.

I am the original owner of the iPhone. I still have the purchase bill, original box, and AppleCare warranty, but I am unable to remove that person’s Apple ID from my iPhone.


Apple's Activation Lock Support request form says that the phone must not be in Lost Mode.


Since this phone is in Lost Mode, it seems unlikely that Apple will accept an Activation Lock support request even if you have proof of original purchase that would otherwise be satisfactory.


Iphone Locked to Owner with lost mode enabled - Unknown Apple ID

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