What challenges have you faced with iCloud activation lock removal?

What challenges have you faced with iCloud activation lock removal?
I’ve encountered significant hurdles when dealing with iCloud activation lock removal. It all started when I purchased a second-hand iPhone, only to realize it was still linked to the previous owner’s iCloud account. This meant I couldn’t access the phone’s features or even get past the initial setup screen.
I spent countless hours researching potential solutions and trying various methods, but the process seemed more complicated than I initially thought. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there—some sources suggest using third-party tools, while others recommend contacting the original owner, which isn’t always possible.
The frustration of being locked out of my device made me realize how crucial it is to fully understand the activation lock and the obstacles that come with attempting to remove it. What makes it more challenging is that most of the guides and tips available online don’t always work as promised, adding to the confusion and disappointment.
4 Answers

As someone who has worked in tech support, iCloud activation locks have always been a recurring pain point for customers buying second-hand devices. Many clients were clueless about the activation lock and only found out once they tried to set up the device.
Explaining to them that this issue couldn’t be bypassed without the original credentials or proof of purchase was exhausting. Many had already been scammed by third-party services, worsening their trust issues. The whole experience underscored not just the technical challenges but also the significant educational gap about iCloud activation locks among second-hand device buyers, making it a pervasive issue in tech support.

Setting up an old iPhone 7 for a friend introduced me to the horrors of iCloud activation lock. Initially, we didn’t realize we’d need the Apple ID and password of the previous owner. Contacting the original owner was out of the question, and I discovered that many third-party services were unreliable.
What was even worse were the numerous fake solutions and scams I encountered online. They often entailed downloading dubious software or giving away sensitive information. I felt like I was caught in a web of deceit, with no straightforward way to legitimately remove the activation lock without proper credentials.

When I tried to remove the iCloud activation lock from my used iPad, I was in for a rough time. The seller had already received positive feedback, but I was stuck with a device still tied to an old iCloud account. Reaching out to the previous owner was a dead end since the seller stopped replying.
I had to contact Apple support and provide proof of purchase, which wasn’t straightforward. They needed several documents I didn’t have, making the process drag on. Ultimately, I ended up paying for a service that claimed to bypass the lock but wasn’t guaranteed to work. This ordeal left me feeling helpless and incredibly frustrated.

Removing the iCloud activation lock has been a nightmare, particularly with my iPhone SE. I gave the phone to my brother, who then forgot the iCloud credentials. All the online solutions I found were either ineffective or costly. Many touted easy fixes through software tools that didn’t actually work and came loaded with extra programs that made me wary of malware.
This experience severely disheartened me because I realized the scarcity of reliable, straightforward solutions. Most of the so-called ‘miracle’ third-party tools were nothing but scams. This entire saga has left a sour taste in my mouth regarding iCloud unlock services.