Activation Lock

Activation Lock is a security feature developed by Apple that links an iPhone's hardware identifiers (IMEI and Serial Number) to the owner's Apple ID on Apple’s activation servers. Once engaged on Apple's activation servers, the device cannot be erased, reactivated, or used without entering the original iCloud credentials.

If a thief forces a factory reset through recovery mode, the operating system triggers a mandatory server check during the very first boot sequence. Bypassing this setup screen requires compromising Apple's encrypted servers, which is essentially impossible for street-level thieves or standard hardware hackers. When buying a used device, buyers must physically verify that the seller has turned off "Find My" and wiped the device, ensuring the setup process completely skips the Apple ID prompt before handing over cash.