Locked iPhone 6 - Is It a Brick?

oscargamer on 23/05/2018 - 09:31
Last edited 24/05/2018 - 01:12 by 1 other user

Yes this is true. No it's not stolen.

Father in law gave us his old iPhone 6. His wife was the apple person in their household, but she's no longer around.

I'm an android person and know little about Apple stuff.

It's locked to his AppleID. I have his ID and all his personal info, but can't unlock the phone. He has forgotten the password. Even trying to use the apple webpages to reset password/questions isn't successful as his email that it's linked to, is an old workplace that no longer exists.

I've reset the phone using some free software, and am now at the setup start thing, but still locked to his ID.

From what I'm reading, it's effectively a brick now without his password. Is that right? or does it have some value to someone?

TIA

Mobile Apple Mobile Phone

Comments

  • try2bhelpful on 23/05/2018 - 09:39
    +4

    If I was you I would contact the genius bar people and ask them what is possible. If you have all the original sales documentation for the phone and can prove the father in law is the owner they might be able to unlock this for you - but I wouldn't hold my breath on this. This appears to be a perfect storm. Best of Luck. I have an iPhone 6 plus and it is a good phone, it would be a shame if it is now a brick.

  • No Username on 23/05/2018 - 09:43
    +1

    You have two options. Wait for an exploited IOS update or pay someone to remove the storage chip and replace it with a new one. IMO it's better off to sell the phone as parts on eBay.

  • geek001 on 23/05/2018 - 09:44

    Surely you can reset his AppleID password if you have access to his details and email address? My kids forget their password all the time. I had to reset their iPad via iTunes a few times on my computer.

    • try2bhelpful on 23/05/2018 - 09:46

      His email address is an old work one, I presume the father in law doesn't have access to it. I keep my passwords in a "vault" program so I don't lose them.

      • ThithLord on 23/05/2018 - 13:36

        You'll need the original proof of purchase. It's literally the only way you can get around it. Apple will not release the device without this. (I've done it plenty of times, always had to have POP)

        • AnneThrope on 23/05/2018 - 16:42

          This.

          Just last week I had a business iphone linked to an account no-one knew the password for and the recovery email address was the same. The Apple Store unlocked and reset it without question after I provided proof of purchase (an invoice listing the IMEI, among others).

          Your case may get complicated if that PoP is unavailable or in the wife's name but staff at the Apple Store can advise what's possible.

        • oscargamer on 23/05/2018 - 17:05

          @AnneThrope:

          Thanks

          AppleID is in FIL name

          Now…….just got to get him to find that receipt !!!

    • oscargamer on 23/05/2018 - 09:50

      Yes but no. The company is no longer trading.

      • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2018 - 11:23
        +4

        So if the company is no longer trading can you register that company domain and setup his old email for the purposes of getting into the phone. This exercise will cost you probably less than $40.

        • oscargamer on 23/05/2018 - 12:11

          Great idea, thanks

  • oscargamer on 23/05/2018 - 09:56

    At the end of the day, the phone isn't worth much, but it would be nice not to have to throw it in the bin……….

    • try2bhelpful on 23/05/2018 - 09:58
      +2

      Talk to the genius bar people; if you can prove it belongs to your father-in-law/mother-in-law and the email address is no longer available they may take pity.

      • Ryanek on 23/05/2018 - 10:31
        +2

        No one at an Apple store has the ability/authority to unlock an iPhone. Not even the United States Government

        • coxjon on 23/05/2018 - 14:58
          +1

          That's to unlock, but they may be able to completely erase and restore?

        • Ryanek on 23/05/2018 - 14:59
          +1

          @coxjon: Nah if an iPhone is iTunes locked there's nothing you can do.

  • iseenya on 23/05/2018 - 09:58
    -1

    Step 1 - Enter the IMEI/serial number at CleanCheck to confirm that the phone isn't blocked for some reason:
    http://cleancheck.me/

    Step 2 - Go to the below website, read everything thereon carefully and decide whether to risk ~$80 on using their supposedly legal service to unlock the phone:
    https://iphoneimei.net/official-iphone-unlock

    Good luck!

    • FireRunner on 23/05/2018 - 10:14
      +1

      I wouldn't trust $80 for this dubious service.

    • Eeples on 23/05/2018 - 10:17
      +1

      lol@official in the url

    • yippy on 23/05/2018 - 12:48
      +3

      That's to carrier unlock, so you can use the phone with different networks. Not what the op wants.

  • Eeples on 23/05/2018 - 10:10
    +2

    go here on a computer… https://iforgot.apple.com/password/verify/appleid

    … and try and reset his apple ID password.

    If the email address is not available most likely it can be reset by them messaging the mobile phone number associated with that apple ID.
    (If that mobile number is still connected and available to you (or your father-in-law)… you should be right).

    • oscargamer on 23/05/2018 - 12:14

      Thanks, I'll try that

  • datafellows on 23/05/2018 - 10:33
    +2

    If the domain is available register it and create the old email addy.

  • skrep on 23/05/2018 - 11:33
    +1

    We come across this issue at work all the time.

    If you are able to obtain proof of purchase then Apple can remotely unlock the 'Activation lock' from the phone.

  • dcep on 23/05/2018 - 13:17

    upgrade to 512gb storage

  • Eeples on 02/06/2018 - 07:25

    Update?

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