iPhone Locked to Owner? How to Unlock with or without Owner

The iPhone leads all smartphone brands in terms of security and privacy. However, such strict security measures might sometimes lead to issues. For example, many iPhone users have experienced the “iPhone Locked to Owner” error after resetting their devices. In such situations, they cannot access the device without the proper Apple ID and password.

What is "iPhone Locked to Owner"? How do you remove "iPhone Locked to Owner" to activate the device as usual? In this post, we will explain why this issue occurs and what steps you can take to get rid of this problematic issue. Now let's get started!

What Does "iPhone Locked to Owner" Mean?

iPhone Locked to Owner, also known as Activation Lock, is a security feature on iOS 15 and later versions that stops unauthorized users from accessing the device. It is part of the Find My service, which ensures that the owner's data is safe even if the iPhone is lost or stolen.

If you have bought a second-hand iPhone, you might see the "iPhone Locked to Owner" screen when you turn on the device. The lock will prompt you to enter the correct Apple ID and password to confirm that you are the owner of the device.

Can You Unlock an iPhone That's Locked to Owner?

Yes. If you own the locked iPhone, you can easily unlock it by entering the correct Apple ID and password. If not, you can contact the owner and ask them to remove the device from their Apple ID.

What if you're unable to contact the owner? Fear not. There are some approaches available to get rid of this lock. Below, we will discuss how to bypass the iPhone Locked to Owner with or without the owner.

How to Bypass iPhone Locked to Owner [Without the Owner]

If you are not the official owner of the device, consider trying the below methods to unlock the iPhone.

Use Activation Lock Bypass

If you want to remove the "iPhone Locked to Owner" or Activation Lock without the previous owner, try a reliable third-party iCloud activation lock bypass tool. One such option is Tenorshare 4MeKey, which can remove the iPhone Locked to Owner without Apple ID and password. It is compatible with all iOS versions and iPhone modes, even the latest iOS 18 and iPhone 16. Here are the steps you need to take to use this software:

Step 1: Get the Tenoshare 4MeKey on your computer and complete the installation. After that, launch the program and press “Start to Remove” on the homepage.

Step 2: Use the given instructions on the software to jailbreak the device.

Step 3: After doing so, the process of unlocking the iPhone without the owner can be started by pressing the “Start” button.

Use DNS Bypass

If your iPhone runs on an outdated iOS version, you are in luck. You can employ the DNS method for bypassing iPhone Locked to Owner. By utilizing this approach, you can make the device think that it’s unlocked. Find the required steps you need to follow:

Step 1: First, you need to set the iPhone as a new device. Then, go to the Wi-Fi settings page from Settings.

Step 2: Choose an available Wi-Fi network and select "Configure DNS option" on the next screen. After that, choose "Manual".

Step 3: From the list of DNS values below, input one of the DNS addresses. Now the most crucial part comes: continuously press the "Next" and "Back" options. Keep doing this until the iPhone is connected to the iCloud DNS Bypass server.

Contact Apple Support

If you have tried the two methods we discussed above and still cannot unlock the iPhone, it's time to get in touch with Apple support. Here is an efficient way to contact Apple support in this regard:

1. Visit the official Apple Support page. Then, find "Contact Us" at the bottom of the page and press it.
2. Select "Forget Apple ID Password" on the new page.
3. Now, pick either the chat or call option to discuss your issue.
4. Follow the instructions you get from the support to reset the password.

How to Remove iPhone Locked to Owner [With the Owner]

If you are the lawful owner or know the device's owner, it’s pretty easy to unlock. Here is how to do so:

Unlock with the Correct Apple ID and Password

Entering the correct Apple ID and password is the most efficient way to unlock the "iPhone Locked to Owner" screen. If you know the owner, you can ask them to give you the Apple ID and password tied to the lock. Then, enter these credentials on the Activation Lock screen and press “Next”. After doing so, the lock should be removed from the device.

Unlock iPhone Locked to Owner with Screen Passcode

You can also ask for the screen passcode from the owner to bypass the "iPhone locked to Owner" screen. All they need to provide is the screen passcode they used. Here are the steps you need to take:

1. Navigate to the Activation Lock screen and select “Unlock with Passcode”.
2. Now, enter the screen passcode that you obtained from the owner and follow the instructions to unlock the device.

Ask the Owner to Remove iPhone from iCloud

If the owner refuses to provide the login information, you can request they remove the iPhone from their iCloud account. They can easily do so by signing into their iCloud account and removing the device. Here is the process they need to follow:

1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in with the owner's Apple ID and password, then click “Find iPhone”.
2. Choose the owner locked iPhone and click “Remove from Account”.
3. Tap “Remove” in the popup to confirm. Wait a few seconds, and it should be done by then.

You can set the iPhone as a new device after the owner erases the device from their account

Conclusion

The methods we have discussed above can help you resolve the iPhone Locked to Owner problem. Keep in mind that not all these solutions may effectively unlock the iPhone. So, we recommend you bypass the "iPhone Locked to Onwer" and unlock the device using a professional tool like Tenorshare 4MeKey. With it, you can regain access to the locked iPhone without entering the Apple ID and password.