What happens if I find a lost iPhone locked to the owner?

It's best to return the lost iPhone to its rightful owner. You can contact them using the emergency contact information displayed on the lock screen. If that fails, turning it into the authorities allows them to locate the owner.

What should I do when I buy a locked iPhone online?

If you purchased a locked iPhone and weren't informed it was Activation Locked, contact the seller and request a refund. If they refuse, you should report the issue to the platform you used to buy it.

Will Apple unlock my iPhone if I don't have the original receipt?

In most cases, Apple will not remove Activation Lock without valid proof of purchase, such as the original receipt. If you don’t have it, Apple Support is unlikely to unlock the device.

Why Is My iPhone Locked to Owner? How to Fix It Quickly

Samuel Spenser Published on April 03, 2026Unlock iOS3-min reading

iPhone Locked to Owner is an Activation Lock security feature designed by Apple to prevent anyone else from using your device if lost or stolen. When Activation Lock is enabled, this message may appear after a factory reset. But what if your iPhone shows this message even though you are the original owner? Don't worry. This article will answer all the queries about this topic and introduce effective ways to solve the problem.

In this article:

Part 1: What Does It Mean When an iPhone Says iPhone Is Locked to Owner?
Part 2. Remove iPhone Locked to Owner with Passcode or Apple ID – 2 Ways
Part 3: How to Remove iPhone Locked to Owner Screen
Part 4: FAQs on iPhone Locked to Owner

Part 1: What Does It Mean When an iPhone Says iPhone Is Locked to Owner?

The iPhone Locked to the Owner screen appears after a factory reset if Find My iPhone is enabled. When this feature is turned on, Activation Lock automatically protects the device from being used without the original Apple ID and password. So, if your iPhone is lost or stolen, a thief can't use it or access your data.

However, this protection can become a problem if the device is reset without removing the Apple ID before being sold or transferred. If you bought a second iPhone with the iPhone Locked to the Owner screen, the problem will be tricky. This usually means the previous owner did not remove their Apple ID before factory resetting the iPhone. In this case, removing Activation Lock without the original credentials can be difficult, but this guide introduces possible solutions in Part 3.

Part 2. Remove iPhone Locked to Owner with Passcode or Apple ID – 2 Ways

1. Remove iPhone Locked to Owner on iPhone Directly

If you know the Apple ID password or iPhone screen passcode, or you can still reach the person who sold you the second-hand iPhone, removing iCloud Activation will be easy. See how to remove the iCloud lock:

Remove iPhone Locked to Owner Using Apple ID

Step 1

On the Locked to Owner screen, swipe up to unlock.

Step 2

Enter the Apple ID and password that were used before the factory reset.

Step 3

Then the iPhone will be unlocked, and you can access it.

Remove iPhone Locked to Owner Using Passcode

Step 1

Swipe up to open the device.

Step 2

Tap the Unlock with passcode button.

Step 3

Enter the previous passcode used before factory resetting.

2. Remove iPhone Locked to Owner on iCloud.com Remotely

The third way to remove iCloud lock is to log in to iCloud.com with the previous Apple ID and password. This way enables you to remove the iPhone locked to owner screen remotely.

Step 1

Open iCloud.com and log in with your Apple ID, then go to Find Devices.

Step 2

Click All Devices and select the iPhone you want to remove.

Step 3

Click Remove This Device, and the iCloud Activation will be removed remotely.

Note:

Erasing a device through iCloud will permanently delete all data stored on the iPhone. Make sure to back up important information in advance.

Part 3: How to Remove iPhone Locked to Owner Screen

Can you bypass iCloud Activation lock for free? It's important to understand that bypassing Activation Lock without the original Apple ID credentials is generally difficult. Most free iCloud bypass services are unreliable and may even steal your personal information.

If you cannot contact the previous owner or access the original Apple ID, a specialized tool like imyPass iPassBye can help bypass the iPhone Locked to Owner screen. Although the program is not free, it provides a trial version that allows you to test its functionality. It supports multiple iOS versions, including iOS 17.

Follow the steps below to use imyPass iPassBye:

Step 1

Download imyPass iPassBye on your Windows PC or Mac. After installation, launch the program to begin.

Free Download Free Download

Step 2

Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer. When prompted on your device, tap Trust This Computer to continue.

Step 3

Follow the on-screen tutorial to put your iPhone into jailbreak mode. After completing this step, click Next to proceed.

Note:

After bypassing Activation Lock, some features may remain unavailable, including cellular connectivity, Apple ID sign-in, and certain iCloud services.

Step 4

Check the device information shown on the screen and confirm it is correct. Then click Start Bypass Activation to begin the process. After the bypass is completed, you will receive a notification on your computer.

Note:

Apple does not officially support bypassing Activation Lock without the original Apple ID credentials. If possible, the safest solution is to contact the previous owner and ask them to remove the device from their account remotely.

FAQs.

What happens if I find a lost iPhone locked to the owner?

It's best to return the lost iPhone to its rightful owner. You can contact them using the emergency contact information displayed on the lock screen. If that fails, turning it into the authorities allows them to locate the owner.
What should I do when I buy a locked iPhone online?

If you purchased a locked iPhone and weren't informed it was Activation Locked, contact the seller and request a refund. If they refuse, you should report the issue to the platform you used to buy it.
Will Apple unlock my iPhone if I don't have the original receipt?

In most cases, Apple will not remove Activation Lock without valid proof of purchase, such as the original receipt. If you don’t have it, Apple Support is unlikely to unlock the device.

Conclusion

Do not hesitate to do the iPhone locked to owner bypass and access your iPhone. If you don't know the password or Apple ID, imyPass iPassBye is a reliable option. For all the readers of this article, you can download this program for free.

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Samuel Spenser

Samuel is a senior editor from imyPass. He is an expert on password unlocking. He has over five years of experience writing tutorials on phone unlocking.