Show How do you check if an iPhone has been Activation Locked before you buy? Online or in person, here's what you have to do! If you buy a used iPhone that's Activation Locked—password protected on someone else's iCloud account—it's as good as useless to you. So, save yourself some aggravation, and some wasted cash, and make sure to check the Activation Lock status of any used iPhone before you buy.
How to check Activation Lock status onlineIf you're purchasing a used iPhone from a website, you can verify its activation status online. Apple lets you check the activation status of any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch by entering the device's IMEI. You need to ask the seller for the IMEI number. It's located on the back of the original box the iPhone came in. If they don't have access to the box, send them these instructions:
Once you have the IMEI number
If the IMEI number comes back as locked, don't buy the used iPhone. How to check Activation Lock status in personIf you're buying your used iPhone in person, simply check to make sure Find My iPhone has been turned off.
It's better, though, to simply have the seller completely reset their iPhone before giving it to you. That way they can make sure all their data is safely erased and inaccessible as well.
Once finished, Activation Lock will be disabled and the iPhone will reboot ready for you to log into and set up as yours. Carrier and region locksDon't forget to verify any region or carrier locks the iPhone might have. These are completely separate than the activation lock and could get between you using your iPhone on the carrier of your choice. Cale Hunt is a staff writer at Mobile Nations. He focuses mainly on PC, laptop, and accessory coverage, as well as the emerging world of VR. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user, and spends most of his time either tinkering with or writing about tech. How can I tell when my iPhone was activated?Answer: A: Go to Settings->Cellular, then scroll all the way to the bottom. It will tell you when your iPhone was last reset. If you never reset it, then that was the date it was activated.
How long does it take for iPhone to be activated?This process may take 2-3 minutes. If the activation fails, view this support info.
What happens when an iPhone is activated?* After it's turned on, Apple securely stores your Apple ID on its activation servers and links it to your device. Your Apple ID password or device passcode is required before anyone can turn off Find My, erase your device, or reactivate and use your device.
Do iphones need to be activated?When you use an iPhone for the first time – whether it's a new iPhone fresh out of the box or a used phone that you've gotten from another user – you need to activate it to set up cellular service.
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