Activation Lock
Activation Lock is a security feature on iOS7 or greater which locks your Apple device to your iCloud account. We require you to remove your iCloud account from your device before sending it to us.
How do I remove my iCloud account
from my device?
Removing your iCloud account from your device is easy and can either be done via the device itself or via icloud.com. These instructions will simply remove the device you are selling from your iClould account and will not affect your account or other devices in any way.
Select your device then follow the simple steps below.
Apple iPhone
Apple iPad
Apple Watch
Removing iCloud account
via your iPhone (WiFi connection required)
- Turn device ON
- Select Settings
- Select General
- Select Reset
- Select Erase All Content and Settings
- Enter Passcode if prompted
- Press Erase iPhone
- Press Erase iPhone again
- Enter Apple ID password when prompted
- Press Erase
Device will switch off and restart. This may take several minutes. Please do not switch device off during reset.
Removing iCloud account
via your iPad (WiFi connection required)
- Turn device ON
- Select Settings
- Select General
- Select Reset
- Select Erase All Content and Settings
- Enter Passcode if prompted
- Press Erase iPad
- Press Erase iPad again
- Enter Apple ID password when prompted
- Press Erase
Device will switch off and restart. This may take several minutes. Please do not switch device off during reset.
Removing iCloud account
via your Apple Watch
- Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone
close together - Open Apple Watch app
- Tap the My Watch tab
- Select General
- Select Reset
- Select Erase Apple Watch Content
and Settings - Enter Passcode if prompted
- Wait for the process to finish
Device will switch off and restart. This may take several minutes. Please do not switch device off during reset.
Removing iCloud account via your desktop PC or laptop
- Device must be switched OFF*
- Log into icloud.com with Apple ID and password
- Select Find iPhone
- Select device from All Devices drop down
- Device pop up box will appear
- Select Remove from Account
(If you don't see Remove from Account, select All Devices again, then click the Remove (x) button next to the device.) - Select Remove on confirmation message
*Device must be switched off, otherwise 'Remove from Account' or 'Remove (x)' option will not appear.
Removing iCloud account via your desktop PC or laptop
- Device must be switched OFF*
- Log into icloud.com with Apple ID and password
- Select Find iPhone
- Select device from All Devices drop down
- Device pop up box will appear
- Select Remove from Account
(If you don't see Remove from Account, select All Devices again, then click the Remove (x) button next to the device.) - Select Remove on confirmation message
*Device must be switched off, otherwise 'Remove from Account' or 'Remove (x)' option will not appear.
Removing iCloud account via your desktop PC or laptop
- Device must be switched OFF*
- Log into icloud.com with Apple ID and password
- Select Find iPhone
- Select device from All Devices drop down
- Device pop up box will appear
- Select Remove from Account
(If you don't see Remove from Account, select All Devices again, then click the Remove (x) button next to the device.) - Select Remove on confirmation message
*Device must be switched off, otherwise 'Remove from Account' or 'Remove (x)' option will not appear.
For more information, see the following Apple Support articles:
• What to do before selling or giving away your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Activation Lock is only applicable to devices that are running iOS7 or greater
If your device is running an earlier version of iOS (iOS6 or below), removing your iCloud account from your device is not compulsory. To find out which iOS version your device is running, please go to Settings » General » About » Version.
