How to check Activation Lock before buying a used Apple device

If you’re planning to buy a used Apple device, there’s one step you should never skip: checking its Activation Lock status. If it’s turned on, you won’t be able to use the device without the previous owner’s Apple Account credentials.

Keep reading, and I’ll show you how to check Activation Lock before buying a used iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. I’ll also share what to do if the device is iCloud-locked.

What exactly is Activation Lock on Apple devices?

Activation Lock is a security feature that’s part of Apple’s Find My service, and it stops anyone else from using your device. It turns on automatically when you set up Find My on your device. Apple stores your Apple Account on its activation servers and links it to that device.

After that, anyone who wants to turn off Find My, erase the device, or reactivate and use it needs the original Apple Account and password (or, on iPhone and iPad, the device passcode). This makes a lost or stolen Apple device practically useless to anyone except its owner.

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Activation Lock also stays on even if you remotely erase your device, as long as Find My isn’t turned off. Every time someone tries to activate the device, it checks with Apple’s servers and asks for the owner’s credentials. This also improves your chances of getting a lost or stolen Apple device back.

Note: AirPods, AirTag, and other Find My accessories can also be locked to an Apple Account. If you’re buying used AirPods, ask the seller to remove them from the Find My app or iCloud.com/find first. Apple can’t remove this lock for you.

Why check the Activation Lock status before buying a used Apple device?

Apple’s advice is simple: if the device is Activation Locked, don’t buy it. Checking the status upfront helps you:

• Avoid buying a stolen device: A device that’s still locked could be lost or stolen.
• Make sure you can use it: You can’t set up or activate a locked device.
• Get a fresh start: A properly erased device has no old accounts or data on it.
• Avoid scams: Some sellers don’t mention that the device is still linked to their account, and only offer to remove it later for an extra fee.

Besides Activation Lock, there are a few other things to check, especially on a used iPhone. See our checklist of things to check before buying a used iPhone for more details.

Where you buy also matters. If you’re looking for a refurbished iPhone, our guide to the best places to buy a refurbished iPhone can help.

How to check the Activation Lock status on iPhone or iPad

You need the device in hand, because Apple no longer offers a way to check Activation Lock remotely. Here are three ways to check it on a used iPhone or iPad (the same steps work on an older iPod touch).

Method 1: During setup

Turn on the device or wake it up and If you see any of the following alerts…

Activation Lock is turned on:

• iPhone Locked to Owner: Activation Lock is on (iOS/iPadOS 15 or later). Don’t buy the device.
• Hello screen: The device has been erased and is ready to set up. Go ahead and set it up with your own Apple Account.
• If setup later asks for the previous owner’s Apple Account and password, the device is still linked to their account. Don’t buy it until the seller removes it.

Method 2: From the Lock Screen

1. Turn on the device.
2. If you see a Lock Screen asking for a passcode, or the Home Screen, the device hasn’t been erased yet.
3. Ask the seller to factory reset it in front of you.
4. After it’s erased, start the setup.
5. If you’re asked for the previous owner’s Apple Account and password, Activation Lock is still on.

Method 3: Using Find My settings

1. If the device is already set up, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apple Account at the top and select Find My.
   
   
3. Here, tap on Find My iPhone (or iPad/iPod Touch). If Find My is turned on, Activation Lock is also enabled.
   
   
4. Ask the seller to turn it off, sign out of their Apple Account, and erase the device before you pay.

Tip: If the seller has Stolen Device Protection turned on, they may need Face ID or Touch ID to make these changes. If they’re away from a familiar location, some actions, like signing out of their Apple Account, can also need a one-hour security delay. Plan the handover with that in mind.

While you’re in Settings, also go to General → About → Parts and Service History. Apple says Activation Lock can protect individual parts too. A part listed as “Unknown” may be non-genuine or taken from another iPhone.

How to check the Activation Lock status on a used Mac

Like iPhone, a Mac turns on Activation Lock when Find My Mac is turned on. It’s supported on Macs with Apple silicon or the Apple T2 Security Chip running macOS Catalina or later, when two-factor authentication is on for the Apple Account. Here’s how to check:

1. Click the Apple menu () and choose About This Mac.
   
2. Click More Info, then scroll down and click System Report. (You can also hold the Option key and choose Apple menu → System Information.)
   
3. In Hardware Overview, look at Activation Lock Status.
   

Buy the Mac only if it says Disabled.

You can also go to System Settings → [seller’s name] → iCloud and check whether Find My Mac is on.

If the Mac has already been erased, start the setup. If you see an Activation Lock screen asking for an Apple Account, don’t buy the Mac until the seller removes it from their account.

How to check Activation Lock status for a used Apple Watch

You can also go to System Settings → [seller’s name] → iCloud and check whether Find My Mac is on.

If the Mac has already been erased, start the setup. If you see an Activation Lock screen asking for an Apple Account, don’t buy the Mac until the seller removes it from their account.

How to check Activation Lock status on a used Apple Watch

When you pair an Apple Watch with an iPhone that has Find My turned on, Activation Lock turns on for the watch too.

1. Turn on the Apple Watch. If you see the watch face, apps, or a passcode screen, it hasn’t been erased yet. Ask the seller to unpair it from their iPhone, which turns off Activation Lock and erases the watch.
2. Try pairing the watch with your iPhone. If setup asks for the previous owner’s Apple Account password, Activation Lock is still on, and you can’t use the watch.
3. For cellular models, also make sure the seller has removed and cancelled their cellular plan.

What to do if the device is iCloud locked?

If you find out that a device you’re buying, or already bought, is Activation Locked, here’s what to do:

• Check for Lost Mode: If the screen shows a lost message or the owner’s contact details, the device may be stolen. Don’t buy it.
• Ask the seller to remove it remotely: They can sign in at iCloud.com/find with the Apple Account shown on the screen, select the device, and click Remove This Device. They can also do this from the Find My app on another device.
• Apple Watch: Ask the seller to unpair it in the Watch app, or remove it from Find My.
• Seller forgot their password: They can reset it at iforgot.apple.com. The original owner can also submit an Activation Lock support request to Apple with proof of purchase (Apple’s Activation Lock removal page).
• Walk away if the seller won’t unlock it. The device may be stolen.
• Report suspicious listings to the marketplace or local authorities.

For more details, see our guide on what to do if your iPhone or iPad is stuck on Activation Lock.

Signing off…

Checking Activation Lock before buying a used iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch takes a minute and can save you from a device you can’t use. Make sure Find My is turned off and the previous owner has removed their Apple Account before you pay. If Activation Lock is still on, walk away. It’s not worth the risk.

You may find these helpful:

• 25 Essential tips for first-time iPhone users
• How to check if iPhone is original or not
• How to check trade-in value of iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac