Remove Activation Lock From a Sold or Given Away Device

If you sold or gave away an iPhone, iPad, or Mac without first turning off Activation Lock, the new owner is locked out and you need to remove it remotely. This guide shows you exactly how to do that using iCloud.com, the Find My app, or Apple’s device support page. You’ll need the Apple ID and password you used on that device, and the device must be offline or already erased.

What You’ll Need

The Apple ID and password that was signed into the device when Activation Lock was enabled.
Access to a web browser or the Find My app on another Apple device.
If you no longer have the Apple ID password, you’ll need to reset it via Apple’s account recovery process before you can proceed.

Step-by-Step

Sign in to iCloud.com/find. Open a web browser on any device and go to icloud.com/find. Sign in with the Apple ID and password that was used on the sold or given-away device. If you use two-factor authentication, approve the sign-in from one of your trusted devices.
Open Find My iPhone. After signing in, click the “Find iPhone” icon (on a Mac, it may be under the grid menu). This opens the map view showing all devices associated with your Apple ID.
Select the device. Click “All Devices” at the top of the map, then choose the specific iPhone, iPad, or Mac you sold or gave away. The device’s location or last-known location will appear on the map.
Remove the device from your account. Click the device name to open a small info panel. Look for the “X” button next to the device name and click it. A confirmation pop-up will ask if you’re sure you want to remove the device. Click “Remove” to confirm. This immediately disables Activation Lock on that device, even if it’s offline.
If the device is offline and you can’t remove it directly: Sometimes the option to remove is grayed out until the device comes online. In that case, click “Erase iPhone” (or iPad/Mac) first. This remotely wipes the device. After the erase command is sent, the device will be removed from your account once it next connects to the internet. If the device is already erased and offline, you may need to wait until it appears online before you can remove it.
Alternative: Use the Find My app on another Apple device. Open the Find My app on your own iPhone or iPad. Go to the “Devices” tab, select the sold device, scroll down, and tap “Remove This Device.” Confirm when prompted.
If you never set up Find My but Activation Lock is still on: This can happen if the device is still linked to your Apple ID through iCloud. Go to iforgot.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. If you have a trusted phone number, you can reset the password. Once you reset the password, the old password is no longer valid, and the new owner can sign in with the new credentials (if you share them) or you can remove the device from your account as described above.
If you can’t access your Apple ID at all: Go to support.apple.com/iphone/passcode and click “Start Activation Lock support request.” You’ll need to provide the device’s serial number and proof of purchase (like an original receipt or invoice). Apple will review your request and may remove Activation Lock after verification. This can take a few days.

Common Mistakes

Not signing out of iCloud before selling. The most common mistake is forgetting to go to Settings > your name > Sign Out before handing over the device. If you already sold it, you can’t do this remotely, so you must use the Find My removal steps above.
Trying to remove the device while it’s still online and signed in. If the device is still connected to Wi-Fi and you haven’t erased it, clicking “Remove” will only remove it from your account, but Activation Lock will still be active on the device because it’s still signed in. You must first erase the device remotely, then remove it.
Using the wrong Apple ID. Activation Lock is tied to the Apple ID that was signed in when Find My was enabled. If you have multiple Apple IDs, make sure you’re using the correct one. Check your old emails for receipts or device setup confirmations.
Assuming the new owner can just reset the device. Activation Lock is a security feature designed to prevent use of a lost or stolen device. Without your help, the new owner cannot bypass it. You must remove it from your account.

Tips

Do this before you hand over the device. The easiest way is to sign out of iCloud and turn off Find My before selling. Go to Settings > your name > Find My > Find My iPhone and toggle it off. Then sign out completely.
Keep a record of the serial number. Write down the serial number (Settings > General > About) before you sell. You’ll need it if you ever have to contact Apple support.
Use a trusted device for two-factor authentication. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you’ll need a trusted device to approve the iCloud sign-in. If you no longer have any trusted devices, you may need to use account recovery.
Be patient with offline devices. If the device is offline, the removal may take a few hours or days until it connects to the internet. Don’t panic if it doesn’t happen instantly.

Troubleshooting

“Remove” button is grayed out. This usually means the device is online and still signed in. Click “Erase iPhone” first, wait for the erase to complete, then try removing again. If the device is offline, you may need to wait until it appears online.
You don’t see the device in Find My. If the device isn’t listed, it may not have had Find My enabled, or it was already removed from your account. Check if you can sign in to iCloud.com and see it under “All Devices.” If not, Activation Lock may be tied to a different Apple ID.
You forgot your Apple ID password. Go to iforgot.apple.com and follow the password reset steps. You’ll need access to your trusted phone number or email. If you can’t reset it, you’ll need to use the Activation Lock support request route.
Apple’s support request is rejected. Make sure you provide a clear proof of purchase showing the serial number and date of purchase. If the receipt is missing or unclear, take a photo of the device’s original box (with serial) and any other documentation you have.
The new owner says Activation Lock is still on after you removed it. Double-check that you removed the correct device. If you have multiple devices, you might have removed the wrong one. Also, ensure the device is connected to the internet so it can receive the removal signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove Activation Lock without the Apple ID password?

No, you need the Apple ID password to sign in to iCloud.com/find. If you forgot it, you can reset it through iforgot.apple.com. If you can’t reset it, you’ll need to contact Apple Support with proof of purchase.

How long does it take for the removal to take effect?

If the device is online, the removal is immediate. If it’s offline, it will take effect the next time the device connects to the internet. This could be minutes or days.

What if I sold the device and it’s already been erased by the new owner?

That’s fine. When you remove the device from Find My, it will disable Activation Lock even if the device has been wiped. The new owner will be able to set it up as new.

Can I remove Activation Lock from a device that was given to a family member?

Yes, the same steps apply. Just remove it from your Find My account. If you want them to use their own Apple ID, they should sign in with their own account after you remove it.

Is it possible to bypass Activation Lock without the original owner?

No, Activation Lock is a security feature. The only legal ways to remove it are through the original owner’s iCloud account or by providing proof of purchase to Apple.

What if I bought a used device that still has Activation Lock?

You should contact the seller and ask them to remove it. If they can’t, you may be able to request removal from Apple with proof of purchase, but that’s rare. Always check for Activation Lock before buying a used device.

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