If your device is locked, there might be a few causes — and solutions.

• Activation locks
• iCloud account locks
• MDM locks (Mobile Device Management) and firmware locks

Activation locks

Apple uses a helpful feature called an activation lock to ensure no one else can use your device if it’s been lost or stolen. 

If you previously declared your device lost or if you attempt to access your device using a different Apple ID than before, you might see an activation lock once you try to use it.

Removing your activation lock

• Step 1. Go to Apple’s iCloud site
• Step 2. Log in with your Apple ID and password.
• Step 3. Select the “Find My” icon.
• Step 4. Select “All Devices” and choose the device you want to remove from your account.
• Step 5. Select “Remove from Account” to disable the activation lock.

This will unlink the device from your iCloud account. Please note that if you can’t remember the correct Apple ID, you won’t be able to access the device.

Can’t remember your Apple ID password?

First up, you’ll need to reset your password.

• Step 1. Go to Apple’s forgotten password page 
• Step 2. Enter the phone number associated with your Apple ID.
• Step 3. If prompted, select “Allow”.
• Step 4. Enter your device passcode to confirm.
• Step 5. Enter a new password and confirm it by entering it again.
• Step 6. Select “Continue” to complete the process.

Now you can remove the activation lock.  

• Step 1. Go to Apple’s iCloud site
• Step 2. Log in with your Apple ID and password.
• Step 3. Select the “Find My” icon.
• Step 4. Select “All Devices” and choose the device you want to remove from your account.
• Step 5. Select “Remove from Account” to disable the activation lock.
• If you’re unable to reset your password or access iCloud, please open an activation lock-related support request with Apple. Contact Apple support

iCloud account locks

If you’re attempting to use certain features on your device, you might be prompted to enter your Apple ID credentials. If you’re unable to provide the right Apple ID and password, you might get a message along the lines of “verification failed.” 

In effect, your device will be iCloud account locked. This means you’ll still be able to use the device, you just won’t be able to access certain features like Apple Music and FaceTime. Here’s how to fix it.

Reset your password

• Step 1. Go to Apple’s forgotten password page
• Step 2. Enter the phone number associated with your Apple ID.
• Step 3. If prompted, select “Allow”.
• Step 4. Enter your device passcode to confirm.
• Step 5. Enter a new password and confirm it by entering it again.
• Step 6. Select “Continue” to complete the process.

Once done, you should be able to successfully provide the correct credentials to begin using the previously-locked features on your device. 

Using the Apple Support App on another device

• Step 1. Using a different device, download the Apple Support app from the App Store.
• Step 2. Open the app and scroll to “Support Tools”.
• Step 3. Select “Reset Password” and then “Help Someone Else”.
• Step 4. Enter the email or phone number associated with your Apple ID. 
• Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the password reset process.

Using Apple’s account recovery process

Account recovery is a process designed to get you back into your Apple account if you don’t have enough information to reset your password. Learn how to do account recovery via Apple support