iPhone XS Max activation lock primer

Activation Lock Primer

Apple products are costly, and they are prized. When a 5-year-old Android device might be left alone without anyone stealing it, you cannot risk that with an iPhone 6S, even today. Apple has built an Activation Lock in its devices to deter theft and so far, as we know, it has largely succeeded. If your iPhone XS Max 13 gets stolen, no one else can use it with their Apple ID unless they key in the credentials it was using previously (your credentials) and, even then, Apple has bolstered iCloud Find My Activation Lock to be more restrictive. You may have to key in a lot of information ranging from your device password (if you are also using the same Apple ID on a Mac) to your iOS device passcode too, obviously, your Apple ID password. It is a system that works in favor of Apple users.

Yet, in some cases, users want to get around the Activation Lock for genuine reasons, say, when you buy a used Apple device from someone. They may have forgotten to remove that device from their Apple account and Activation Lock would not let you use it. Or, you are an IT administrator, and you manage devices given out to employees. Some employees did not remove their accounts from their devices, and now those iPhones are riddled with Activation Lock. You can remove it using this step-by-step guide.

Bypassing Activation Lock using official methods (iPhone XS Max)

An Activation Lock is not the end of the world, as Apple might have you believe. Nothing in the world is perfect, except for the world itself. As such, there are ways to bypass Activation Lock on an Apple device that you bought used, and the previous owner forgot to unlock or did so intentionally and is now trying to fleece you for more money to unlock it. Or an employee who just left the job surrendered their iPhone XS Max but forgot to erase the device before submitting and consequently, the device is still associated with their Apple ID, and you need to bypass Activation Lock for that iPhone XS Max to make it useable again. There are a few ways you can go about it.

Bypassing Activation Lock Using Apple ID

Disabling Activation Lock on iPhone XS Max is easy if you have the Apple ID credentials that are associated with the iPhone XS Max.

Step 1: Enter device Recovery Mode and Restore the device to factory settings.
Step 2: When you set up the device again, you will be required to sign in to the Apple ID associated with the device. Do that and you are golden!

Bypassing Activation Lock from iCloud Website

You may also do away with Activation Lock using the Find My iPhone app in iCloud remotely by erasing the device and removing the device from the associated iCloud account.

Step 1: Visit the iCloud website on a computer at https://icloud.com .
Step 2: Sign In and go to Find iPhone.

Step 3: Click All Devices and select the device that was sold to the user.
Step 4: Click Erase iPhone and if the device is still there after the erase is complete, click Remove From Account.

This process requires that the data service be functional on the iPhone in question, otherwise, this will not work. When the process is done, restart the iPhone and set it up with your Apple ID to remove the lock.

Bypassing Activation Lock Using Microsoft Intune

If you are an IT administrator and are using Microsoft services, you may have given employees iPhones. When employees leave or are made to leave, it is possible that the devices they leave behind are still signed in with a password only they know. There is a way Apple provides for Microsoft Intune to disable Activation Lock for corporate devices.

Step 1: Sign in to the admin center on Microsoft Endpoint Manager.
Step 2: Select Devices under Intune.
Step 3: Select All Devices.
Step 4: Locate the device you want to disable the lock for, and under the Hardware section, copy the Activation Lock Bypass Code given under Conditional Access.
Step 5: Under the Overview pane of the device, select Wipe.
Step 6: When the device resets, it prompts for the Apple ID and password. Leave the ID blank and enter the bypass code as a password.

The device will be reset, and employees can set it up again with a new Apple ID.

Bypassing Activation Lock with a Professional Tool

For iPhone 5S to iPhone XS Max users who prefer an easier way to remove Activation Lock, Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) is a suitable option.

Dr.Fone is a set of modules that cater to a myriad of requirements that phone users can have from time to time, and one of them is the need to be able to disable the Activation Lock for Apple devices when the need arises. A need never arises in our wildest dreams, until it does, at the most inopportune time. It has, hasn’t it?

Here is how to use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) to quickly circumvent Activation Lock and get on with setting up your iPhone XS Max. Who needs to wait to talk with the previous owner or go through all other time-consuming methods when you have Dr.Fone?

Step 1: Get Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) .
Step 2: From the list of modules on display, select Screen Unlock.
Step 3: Select iCloud Activation Lock Removal.

Step 4: Then select Start to initiate unlocking the iOS device’s Activation Lock.

Step 5: Follow the instructions to continue to jailbreak the iPhone.

Step 6: After the jailbreak, continue to agree to the terms of use and note the device details displayed are correct.
Step 7: As the final step, click Start Unlock.

After a while, Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) will notify you of a successful bypass. You can now restart the device and use it. This option is restrictive in nature as you will be unable to use the iPhone to make calls or access cellular services including iCloud. This option is best for when you want to see/ recover some data from the device that you would otherwise lose.

Unlock Disabled iPhone XS Max Using iTunes or macOS Finder

Of course, there is an official way that Apple provides for users to restore device firmware using iTunes or macOS Finder. For this, iPhone XS Max is put under Recovery Mode manually and Finder or iTunes is used to reinstall software on it directly from Apple. This process is fine for people who are conversant in tech, since this process can throw up a lot of errors that are just numbers, and people can get confused as to what they mean, resulting in frustration.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone XS Max to a Windows/ macOS device and launch iTunes. If you are on a Mac that runs macOS Catalina or higher, open Finder since you would not have access to iTunes anymore.
Step 2: Pick your iPhone XS Max and do the following:
- (2.1) Press the volume up button and let it go.
- (2.2) Press the volume down button and let it go.
- (2.3) Press the Side Button (power button, on the right side of your iPhone XS Max) and keep it pressed till Finder or iTunes detects the phone in Recovery Mode.

Step 3: Choose Restore to download and reinstall the latest iOS on your iPhone XS Max and unlock your iPhone XS Max.

When the iPhone XS Max reboots, it will be reset to factory settings, and you can set it up again as you did when brand new.

Is It Possible to Unlock iPhone XS Max without a Passcode?

Unlocking an iPhone XS Max without a passcode is possible, but it’s not as simple as entering a code. Besides, there are different methods that you can follow to unlock your iPhone XS Max

And we are going to teach all those methods with some simple steps. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

Use Find My iPhone

Once you have activated the Find My iPhone function, then you can try it to unlock your iPhone XS Max without a passcode. This is an easy and effective method to complete this task. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Go to icloud.com from any web browser on your computer or another iOS device.
Step 2: Enter your Apple ID and password to log into your iCloud account.
Step 3: Click on the ‘Find My iPhone’ option.
Step 4: Select the ‘All Devices’ option at the top of the screen and select your iPhone XS Max from the list of devices.
Step 5: Click the ‘Erase’ option to confirm your action.
Step 6: Once your device has been erased, you can set it up again and use it without a passcode.

Unlock it with iTunes

Another way to unlock your iPhone XS Max without a passcode is by using iTunes. For this method to work, you must have synced your device with iTunes at least once. If you haven’t done that, this method won’t work. Here’s how you can use iTunes to unlock your iPhone XS Max:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone XS Max to the computer you previously used to sync your device with iTunes.
Step 2: Open the iTunes application on your computer and wait for it to recognize your device.
Step 3: Once recognized, your iPhone XS Max will appear in the iTunes window. Click on the ‘Summary’ option present in the left sidebar.
Step 4: Now, click on the ‘Restore iPhone’ button in the right sidebar.
Step 5: Confirm your action and wait for the process to be completed. Once done, you can set up your device as new and use it without a passcode.

Use Recovery Mode

If you have never tried to sync your device with iTunes or used the Find My iPhone feature, you can use recovery mode to unlock your device. This more complex method will erase all the data on your device. So, ensure that you have backed up your data before proceeding with this method. Here’s how you can use recovery mode to unlock your iPhone XS Max:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone XS Max to the computer and launch the iTunes application.
Step 2: Press and hold down the ‘Volume’ and ‘Power’ buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
Step 3: As soon as you see the Connect to iTunes screen, release the buttons.
Step 4: On your computer, you will now see a message that iTunes detected an iPhone in recovery mode. Click on the ‘OK’ button.
Step 5: Now, click on the ‘Restore iPhone’ button in the Summary tab.
Step 6: Confirm your action and wait for the process to be completed. Once done, you can set up your device as new and use it without a passcode.

Use a Third-Party Tool

If you are unable to unlock your iPhone XS Max using the above methods, you can use a third-party tool like Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock . This tool is designed to help you unlock your iPhone XS Max without a passcode. Here’s how you can use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock to unlock your iPhone XS Max:

Step 1: Start Dr.Fone on your computer. Then, launch the program and select Screen Unlock.

Step 2: Create the connection from your iPhone XS Max to the computer with a lightning cable.

Step 3: Follow the image on the screen to make your device enter in DFU mode or Recovery mode.
Step 4: Once your device gets into DFU mode or Recovery mode, Dr.Fone will ask you to choose the right firmware for your iPhone XS Max.

Step 5: Upon selecting the right firmware, Dr.Fone will start downloading the firmware for your device. Once it’s finished, click “Unlock Now” to remove the Passcode.

You only need to wait for some time as the process may take several minutes. So be patient and don’t interrupt the process; otherwise, it may permanently damage your iPhone XS Max.

Once the process is completed, your iPhone XS Max will be unlocked, and you can choose a new passcode.

This is the easiest and most effective way to reset your iPhone XS Max passcode. So, if you’re looking for a hassle-free solution, this is the one you should choose.

Difference Between Activation Lock and Locked Apple ID

Apple being Apple, does a lot to make sure that users get the smoothest experience possible when interacting with their Apple products, both hardware, and software. Yet, sometimes, the messaging gets confusing, and people are not sure what is what. One such thing is the difference between iCloud Activation Lock and Apple ID Lock. While people are more likely to encounter Activation Lock and less likely to encounter Apple ID Lock, they are often confused when they encounter Apple ID Lock and struggle to figure out what that means and how to resolve the issue.

Activation Lock is when your supported Apple device is locked for a number of reasons. The most common reason is a stolen device that was locked by its owner, however, there are other perfectly valid reasons such as an outgoing employee forgetting to sign out and erase their Apple device before submitting it back. The IT department would not be able to reset that device without turning off Find My Phone and Activation Lock on the device.

A locked Apple ID usually happens when the user has forgotten their password to their Apple ID account and attempts to figure out the password have been unsuccessful. Sometimes, Apple ID gets locked automatically under some conditions, and that requires users to reset their password to gain access. A locked Apple ID does not mean that your device is locked for your use. You can keep using it so long as you do not try to use another Apple ID with it since to do that you would have to sign out of your current Apple ID (which is locked) and you won’t be able to do that. On the other hand, Activation Lock renders the entire device unusable till the lock is cleared.

In short, Apple ID Lock is about a user’s account with Apple, akin to how Google Account works on Android devices. Apple ID Lock locks a user’s account with Apple while retaining complete usage of the device whereas Activation Lock locks the device and prevents anyone from using it until the correct credentials are entered. This is about verifying the ownership of the device and works to deter theft of Apple devices.

Prevent iPhone From Getting Disabled Again

After all this to get access back, you might think let’s go passcode-less and prevent the hassle. Don’t do that - that’s worse and unsafe. Instead, here are tips you can use to make sure you don’t accidentally disable your iPhone XS Max again.

Tip 1: About Passcodes

1.1 Set a passcode that is easier to remember for you but difficult to think of for thieves and others.
1.2 Never use birthdates, years, vehicle numbers or any such numbers that may be easily tried by others.
1.3 Never use repeating numbers.
1.4 Do not use your ATM PIN as your phone passcode either. Think of some digits or combination that makes sense to you and only you. And then use it.

Tip 2: Use Face ID

Along with Passcode comes the option of Face ID on your iPhone XS Max, so use that. That will minimize instances for you to enter your passcode, and may make you forget it again, though. So, make sure that the passcode you set does make sense to you and you can remember it always without effort.

Not all of us have the memory of elephants. With Touch ID and Face ID on our iPhones minimizing the use of passcodes, we may forget them. Another factor in forgetting passcodes is being too smart for our own good and trying to set up such a secure passcode that even we are not able to remember it. If we enter incorrect passcode too many times, the iPhone disables itself and we need to restore it to factory settings to unlock it again. There are several ways to do that, depending on the time you are willing to spend on the job and your proficiency level, along with the resources that you have with you right now. For example, if a method requires use of another iOS device and you do not have it, that method is not useful to you right now, pick another. Lastly, when the device is reset, instead of going passcode-less to make sure that you do not forget the passcode again, it is best to set up a passcode that you can somehow remember.

Reasons for Locked Apple ID

There can be a few reasons why your Apple ID is locked. You forgot the password and now it is locked since you entered the wrong password too many times. A scarier prospect, albeit a real one, is that some malicious actor attempted to login into your Apple ID account but failed. Had they succeeded, you would have gotten a message that ‘your Apple ID is being used on another device’ now.

Apple does a lot to ensure that your Apple ID remains safe. You trust Apple with a lot of your data, including financial data by way of your credit cards associated with Apple ID to make purchases on the App Store and iTunes Store. Therefore, some of the time, Apple preempts issues by proactively locking up your Apple ID or even disabling it. It goes without saying that sometimes it is something so simple as a software error that is believed to have locked up Apple IDs for many users around the world a while ago. It is also entirely possible that it was some malicious actor probing the servers for accounts.

All of these will result in a locked Apple ID that users will have to reset their password to in order to gain access back.

Unlock Locked iPhone XS Max by Restoring it to Default Settings – iTunes

iPhone users make sure that they connect and sync their devices with iTunes because their data is safe. iPhone users live without the fear of losing their data because it is backed up. Taking more advantage of this, iPhone users can restore their phone to default settings and can even unlock their iPhone without using a passcode.

Let us show you how to unlock iPhone XS Max without using a passcode;

Start the process by turning off your iPhone XS Max.
After that, plug in your phone to the computer and open iTunes.
Once the phone is connected with iTunes, click on ‘Summary’ that will appear on the screen’s left side.
After the summary screen is opened, you will see the option of ‘Restore iPhone’; click on that option.
This option will bring you to a new window that will be asking for your confirmation on the decision to restore your device.
As soon as that is done and iTunes has finished the process, your iPhone XS Max will be restored to default settings.

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