Recently Apple upgraded the security features on their devices, especially where it concerns the latest iPhone models and iOS updates.
Although advances in security measures are usually a welcome development, the increased safety measures poses a difficult hurdle for those that might have forgotten their Apple ID passcode or perhaps purchased a used iPhone. If you bought a second-hand phone, the probability that you’ll be able to access the password is almost zero.
So, how do you go about removing the Apple ID in order to restore the device to full functionality if you don’t have the passcode?
Removing the Apple ID from an iPhone without a Passcode for iOS versions 10/11/12/13
The best way to remove the Apple ID from a device is by removing the iCloud account that’s linked to the phone. But, can you do this without the password? The good news is that the answer to that question is a resounding yes!
In order to make your life easier, we decided to test out some of the most popular solutions to determine which is the most effective in successfully removing iCloud accounts from iOS devices should you not have access to the password. Read on for our findings.
AppleiPhoneUnlock
The first solution we tested for its abilities to remove an Apple ID from an iPhone without the need for a passcode was AppleiPhoneUnlock.
Out of all our tests, this solution is one of the best ones. We tested it on two different iPhones (iPhone X and iPhone 6) and in both cases AppleiPhoneUnlock successfully unlocked the phones.
Verified Features of AppleiPhoneUnlock:
- Successfully removes the Apple ID from an iPhone
- Offers a permanent unlock which means that the device can never be locked again (in order to test this, we performed a factory reset on each device after it got unlocked and can verify that the unlock is permanent).
- Ability to remove an iCloud Activation Lock without the need for a passcode even if the device has been deactivated.
- Little to no effort on your part – you only need to enter the model and IMEI number of the device (they do not request the passcode at any point in the process).
- Online tracker of unlocking progress
- Once the Apple ID has been removed, you can activate the device without needing the password or Apple ID.
Bonus Features of AppleiPhoneUnlock:
- 100% money-back guarantee if the Apple ID is not successfully removed
- Compatible with any iOS version (including iOS 13) as well as watchOS and iPadOS.
Cons of AppleiPhoneUnlock:
- Delivery time is not immediate
- There are costs involved
- Data loss during removal is an unfortunate side effect
How to Remove an iCloud Account without a Passcode on an iPhone 6 running iOS 12
NB: The process of removing the Apple ID is the same for any iPhone.
- On a computer, visit AppleiPhoneUnlock and select the iPhone 6.
- Submit your IMEI number (on the Activation Lock screen, click on the i-icon and the IMEI will be displayed).
- Select “Remove Activation Lock” to complete the order.
- You will receive a notification once your device is unlocked.
Tenorshare 4uKey
The AppleiPhoneUnlock process is completed remotely by professional experts. Tenorshare 4uKey serves the same purpose but it’s a software solution.
Verified Features of Tenorshare 4uKey:
- Successful in removing the Apple ID from an iPhone without the need for a passcode (we tested it on an iPhone 6)
- No data loss
- Easy for anyone to do
- Minimalistic features
- Instant solution – no waiting period
Bonus Features of Tenorshare 4uKey:
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons of Tenorshare 4uKey:
- Can only be used on activated devices – it won’t work on devices that have an iCloud Activation Lock.
- Not compatible with iOS 12 or above
- If an iPhone is submitted to a factory reset or if iTunes is backed up, the device will be locked with the iCloud Activation Lock and Tenorshare 4uKey won’t work.
- Costs $35 (occasional discounts on offer)
How to Use Tenorshare 4uKey to Remove an iCloud Account without the Passcode on an iPhone 6 (iOS 11.3)
- On your computer, complete the download and installation of Tenorshare 4uKey
- Using a lightning cable connect your iPhone to the computer
- Launch Tenorshare 4uKey
- Select “Unlock Apple ID” on the main menu
- Select “Unlock iPhone” and click on “Trust”
- Click “Start”
- The program will now perform the unlock process.
iCloud.com
If neither of the above solutions tickle your fancy, you can opt for the easier route – simply ask the previous owner of the iPhone for their assistance. If you can get in touch with the previous owner, and if it’s their Apple ID on the device, then they can simply log in and remove it for you.
If getting in touch with the person whose Apple ID is on your device is a possibility – then use the following removal method.
Using iCloud.com to Remove the Apple ID without the Passcode from an iPhone running iOS 11
- On a computer, visit the iCloud site.
- Ask the previous owner to sing in with their Apple ID
- Click on “Find iPhone”
- Under “My Devices”, find and select the iPhone you’d like unlocked
- From the four available options, select “Remove from Account”
If you complete these steps, you will have disabled the “Find My iPhone” security feature, which then disables the iCloud Activation Lock. Once completed, you will be able to sign into the phone using a new or different iCloud account.
Forgotten Password
The above mentioned methods are all suitable if it is not your own account still linked to the device. But if it is your account and you’ve just forgotten your password, the process to unlock the phone is much simpler. You just have to create a new one.
- Visit the Apple ID Account website page.
- Select “Forgot Apple ID or Password?” (Under the email entry block)
- Submit your Apple ID email when prompted
- Select “Continue”
- Submit the phone numbers associated with your Apple ID
- A message will be sent to those numbers with instructions on how to create a new passcode.
This method is simpler than creating a completely new account, but you will need to know what the answers to your security questions are otherwise you won’t be sent the reset email.
Removing an Apple ID from an iPhone with the Passcode
In some cases, you will have access to the passcode but you’d still like to delete the current Apple ID linked to your iPhone. Unlike the solutions above, this process can be completed on the iPhone itself.
Removing the iCloud Account when You Have the Passcode
- Unlock the device and open “Settings”
- On the menu, click on your name
- Swipe down and click “Sign Out”
If you follow the above mentioned steps, you will succeed in removing the iCloud account currently on the device from the iPhone. Once completed, you can sign in with a new or different Apple ID by going to the default menu in Settings.
Summarizing our Findings
So, as you will now have learnt, there are several methods that will work for removing an Apple ID from an iPhone if you don’t know the passcode and even one that can help you if you do know it.
If you are facing the iCloud Activation Lock, we highly recommend using AppleiPhoneUnlock. From our tests we can conclude that this is the most effective method for lifting this type of lock.
However, if your device has not been deactivated, then Tenorshare 4uKey should be your first port of call.
