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Repair information and guides for the Apple iPhone 5s that was announced on September 10, 2013. Model: A1533, A1453, A1457, A1528, A1530, A1518

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Can I pass activation lock?

I recently found this iPhone in the trash. The iPhone did not have a passcode, but it did indeed have an Apple Account linked to it. In order to protect the original owner's information, I erased the entire thing. Now I wish I hadn't done that because of Activation Lock.

I'm thinking that if I put the original Operating System back on (iOS 7 I believe), then I wouldn't have to deal with activation lock.

Guess what though, iTunes will not let you put the original OS back on. So, I downloaded the firmware, but I can't restore it because I don't have a program to do it.

I have found several 3rd party programs out there that claim they can do it, but I do not trust them, plus they won't work until I pay over 60 dollars in advance.

So, where do I go from here?

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After lots of digging around on the internet, I have finally found a solution! iRemoveTools is the service that did it for me. Let me explain:

  • In order for an iPhone to work, it must connect to Apple to activate. Of course, if Activation Lock is turned on, the iPhone cannot activate.
  • In order to bypass this, the iPhone must connect to a different server in order to activate. In this case: iRemoveTools
  • The app reads the iPhone's serial number and saves it to their database (after you purchase the service, which is a one-time payment)
  • Then it helps you jailbrake the iPhone and forces it to connect to the database INSTEAD of Apple. Activation Lock is bypassed.
  • Then you can connect to your Apple ID and use the iPhone as normal; and yes, I've already downloaded some apps and used them.
  • The only negative is that this will disable cellular services, which, since it didn't even have a SIM card slot, that is fine for me.

Overall, this process worked completely fine for me, and now that old iPhone found in the trash can live to see another day!

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This will not work on the newer phones. Just the old ones.

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Sorry, Apple did their homework and you can’t really bypass the iCloud lock. Some early versions of iOS had a weakness that Apple did fix locking out these so called fixers which claim they can unlock the phone.

Bottom line save your money.

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If it was easy people who have the chops to bypass it would have been on it as soon as the phones were launched. Same with Chromebooks - if it could be done, we'd be all over finding a way. You'd have nothing to lose by taking a crack at it. Some of the early phones (Read: A4 and older) have a permanent way back to iOS 6, but that relies on an unpatchable silicon exploit. It also doesn't support Apple's 2FA so you need a modern phone to get a 2FA key, then put a decorated password in.

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Paperweight unfortunately

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@danj - I wouldn't spend the money anyway because if it didn't work and the company refused to refund me, I would be left in a worse state. I feel like it is possible to go back to an older OS. It's ridiculously easy on a Mac, but I feel like there should be some way or another on an iPhone. Just... how?

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@jadonlyon - As easy as un-breaking a fresh egg!

Nope, can’t get past the lock even if you where to downgrade or upgrade the iOS

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@danj - Is there any way just to skip verification? I don't want to sign in, I don't even have to connect to the internet. I literally just want it to boot.

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You can’t fully bypass it, the lock is set on the server against the application and baseband chips.

You can go past the lock partially and mess about in the OS, but the phone will not fully function without a proper activation.

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@tomchai - Yes, I figured this lock was on Apple's side, because the phone worked in setup UP UNTIL it said "Activating iPhone..." Listen, I don't plan to use this device as a normal phone. I simply found it in the trash, and I want to get it up and running an add it to my collection of old Apple products. You say I can go past the lock partially. How can I do that?

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@jadonlyon haven’t checked the exact requirements and steps but try asking on r/setupapp on Reddit, it’s the community for such topics.

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@tomchai - I have been waiting to hear from Reddit, nothing.

Maybe I did something wrong?

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The only ways to get past activation lock is with the original owners password or with a reboot of the original os

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@aadamomar - Yes, indeed, and since I'm assuming I will never encounter the original owner, I am willing to try anything else. So, could I indeed reboot in the original OS? (I believe it is iOS 7)

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@jadonlyon You can, but it is gonna be very annoying saying this and that and frustrating you if it didnt work that time

But I am 94.625% sure it will work

If it works lemme know

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@aadamomar - I'll trust 94.625% :P

Okay then, I will let you know...

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Won't work, it'll still have the owners details attached to it.

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@ted53890 - The iPhone itself has no details attached, and I know this because this iPhone came out before 2FA. It simply must connect to Apple to activate. I truly believe that if I put iOS 7 back on, and it doesn't know what 2FA even is, then I should be able to get it to boot.

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Jadon Lyon crwdns2934231:0crwdne2934231:0
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