How To Check iCloud Activation Lock Status for your iPhone
How To Check iCloud Activation Lock Status for your iPhone

How To Check iCloud Activation Lock Status for your iPhone?

Is it necessary to know the iCloud activation lock status using official iCloud Checker, right before you purchase a used iPhone or iPad? We will try to give an answer to this question in this short article.

How To Check iCloud Activation Lock Status for your iPhone
How To Check iCloud Activation Lock Status for your iPhone

As you may know, the iCloud activation lock is one of the security mechanisms which any iOS device has, and it serves to provide a protection of the gadget in case of potential misuse. The user, once it has this feature activated, is capable of remotely controlling the device and all the data stored on it, and in emergency case can completely erase all the content which was stored on the drive, and return the device into the initial factory condition.

Of course, in order to use this feature, the user must know the proper Apple ID and password, because in case you are not able to provide those, the Apple device won’t be opened and cannot be used.

But, there is a small problem which the users who have bought second hand Apple devices report. For example, when the former owners do not unlink the Apple device from his Apple ID, then the new owner must be careful not to reset it. However, this is a lot more easily said than done, because the iPhone can automatically reset itself, or it may turn off due to the battery running out. So once you turn on the iPhone ON once again, you will be asked to provide the Apple ID and password before you can continue using it. And of course, you may have no idea what these credential are, because they did not even belong to you in the first place.

So in order to avoid this scenario, it is always recommended that you check the iCloud Activation lock status right before you make a decision to purchase a used iPhone, iPad or iPod.

All that you need to know about Apple iCloud Activation lock

Here is what the activation lock feature brings to the users:

  • Full time protection against thieves and compromised use.
  • The device itself cannot be used without providing the correct Apple ID and password
  • In case it is necessary, the owner of the iPhone can erase all the content on the handset, remotely
  • Easy reactivation of the iOS device, simply by using the existent Apple credentials which were used to activate the activation lock feature

More info about the Activation lock feature

It is important to know that if you have more than one Apple device, then you can use the iCloud Activation lock protection on all of them. But, in order to do so, you must enable the feature manually. This defensive mechanism works for the iPhone, iPod touch and the iPad, and as of recent there is indication that it will work on the Apple Watch as well.

So once you login to your device with an Apple ID, the server stores and remembers the particular Apple ID which you use, and every time you login to your device, the server will cross check this data with the Apple server, to see whether the original login credentials are used, or if someone else is trying to compromise the device.

Anik is an IT professional and Data Science Enthusiast. He loves to spend a lot of time testing and reviewing the latest gadgets and software. He likes all things tech and his passion for smartphones is only matched by his passion for Sci-Fi TV Series.