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Effortlessly remove iCloud activation lock on iPhone
  • Forgot the password and iCloud locked on your iPhone.
  • Purchased a second-hand iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch locked to the owner.
  • Got a gifted iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch that is activation locked.
  • The Device got lost or stolen and needs to disable the iCloud activation lock.
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The Ultimate Guide to Bypassing iCloud Activation Lock on iPhone

James Davis

Apr 08, 2024 • Filed to: Remove Screen Lock • Proven solutions

For many iPhone users, the dreaded iCloud activation lock can be an unnerving barrier to getting the most out of their devices. Whether you've encountered it after purchasing a second-hand iPhone, or you've simply forgotten your login credentials, this lock demands attention and often a bit of digital gymnastics to unlock. This comprehensive guide is for you, equipped with detailed instructions on various methods to bypass the iCloud activation lock on your iPhone.

If you're ready to take back control of your device, read on. We'll walk you through the process step by step and arm you with the knowledge to access your smartphone's full potential.

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Part 1: How to bypass iCloud activation on iPhone through the DNS method?

This method is one of the oldest tricks in the guide, and while it still works for some users with specific models and iOS versions, it doesn't guarantee universal success. Here's a brief overview of how to proceed:

bypass icloud activation lock

In the activation window, press the home button and then select Wi-Fi settings and then tap on the 'I' bonded by a circle. Now it's time to remove the existing DNS server and put a custom one in motion. Now, let's follow the steps below to bypass iCloud activation on iPhone.

How to bypass iCloud activation lock?

Step 1: Start the Setup Process

Turn on your iPhone and start the setup process until you reach the page where you're asked to connect to a Wi-Fi network.

Step 2: Select a Custom DNS Server

When prompted to connect to a Wi-Fi network and input a password, select "i" on your iPhone screen, which will take you to a menu with network details. Tap "Configure DNS" and choose "Manual".

Enter a DNS server address based on your geographic location:

  • For USA/North America, enter 104.154.51.7
  • For Europe, enter 104.155.28.90
  • For Asia, enter 104.155.220.58
  • For any other area, enter 78.109.17.60

Step 3: Proceed with iCloud Bypass

Return to Wi-Fi settings and select your desired network. You might need to enter a password, but instead, you can skip this step and continue. Your iPhone will try to activate with these new settings and may allow you to bypass the activation lock.

Video Guide: How to bypass iCloud activation through DNS?

Note: The DNS method is an experimental and non-guaranteed way to bypass the iCloud activation lock. It is worth trying if you prefer not to use third-party tools, but be prepared for the possibility that it may not work for your specific device or iOS version.

Tips: During iCloud, we use it most for data backup to avoid data loss. But if you can't access your iCloud, maybe you are supposed to back up your iPhone data to the computer.

Part 2: How to bypass iCloud activation on iPhone with a smart tool? [iOS 12.0~16.6]

A fast and safe tool to unlock locked iCloud

While talking about a suitable tool to bypass iCloud activation, missing out on Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) doesn't make any sense as it is the most trusted and loved tool by millions of users. Available for Windows and Mac operating systems, it offers an extremely easy process to make the work of bypassing iCloud done. Many other tools don't hesitate to make false promises, but Wondershare has always managed to upkeep the security and trust of the users and does what it says. Let us bring you closer to this iCloud bypass tool.

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Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock

Unlock iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch screen and Activation lock within minutes

  • Easy for the users to unlock locked iCloud by providing a really easy interface.
  • Exceptional speed for unlocking i.e., works in less than a minute.
  • Compatible with iPhone 5S to iPhone X, iPad 4 to iPad 7, and iPod touch 7 to iPod touch 9 running iOS 12.0 to iOS 16.6.
  • Effectively remove the iPhone lock screen without the passcode.
Available on: Windows Mac

3981454 people have downloaded it

Check out the following guide to know how to use this tool to bypass iCloud activation in detail.

Bypass iCloud activation on iPhone with Dr.Fone

Step 1: Click the "Download Now" button above to download Dr.Fone on your computer.

Connect your iPhone to the system and launch the Dr.Fone. From its home, select the 'Screen Unlock' section.

Just choose the feature 'iCloud Activation Lock Removal' to unlock the Activation lock of an iOS device to continue.

new interface

Step 2: Confirm device information

You will see your device information. Click 'Unlock Now' after confirming all device details are correct.

click unlock now to start

Step 3: Put your iPhone into DFU mode or jailbreak your iPhone properly

For iPhone users running iOS 15.3~16.3, to bypass the iCloud activation lock, you need to follow the instruction you will see to put your device into DFU mode. For iPhone users running iOS 12.0~14.8.1 or iOS 16.4~16.6, you should follow textual guidelines for jailbreaking your iPhone.

get into DFU mode

Step 4: Remove iCloud activation lock successfully.

Dr.Fone will bypass activation lock automatically after your device is in DFU mode. Wait patiently to complete the bypass process.

successful removal of activation lock

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) provides a hassle-free experience, consistently working across multiple iPhone models and iOS versions. It ensures that you can bypass the activation lock without password.

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An optional tool to bypass iCloud activation lock

There are a limited number of functional tools available that can come in handy in bypassing the iCloud activation for your iPhone or iPad. One of the names is 'iCloud activation bypass tool version 1.4'. The tool's name abides by what it says and is a really easy tool to use.

Below are the steps to bypass iCloud activation by using this tool.

  1. Download and install the program on your desktop.
  2. Launch the application and connect your iPhone or iPad via the USB cable to your desktop.

    icloud-activation-bypass-tool-1

  3. The tool will now scan your device and reads its IMEI number.
  4. Click on the 'Bypass Activation Lock' button and patiently wait for the procedure to be completed. The tool, with the help of your devices IMEI code will connect to the Apple servers from where it will terminate and delete all linked iCloud accounts of your device.
  5. Once the process is complete, disconnect your phone and reboot it. You will notice that the iCloud lock has been permanently removed and hence no prior activation is required to use the device.

activation bypass successfull

Tips: If you'd like to know more about iCloud bypass tools, you can just read this article: Top 8 iCloud Bypass Tools.

Part 3: How to bypass iCloud activation on iOS 11 devices?

Starting with iOS 11, Apple has introduced a bizarre bug in their Activation mechanism that allows you to bypass iCloud activation completely (with SIM card working) in certain conditions. The bug relies on the passcode activation method and requires Second Factor Authentication (2FA) to be enabled on the account to which the device is locked. As of iOS 11, the passcode activation option appears for the iCloud Locked devices if 2FA is on.

The bug allows a user to input a false passcode “0000” or “0000” if the requirement is for a 6-digit passcode a few times, then leave the device to rest for ~1 hour, so that the session with the Apple Activation Server (albert.apple.com) expires. After that, the user would input the false passcode a few more times and the device will skip the activation part, essentially disabling Find My iPhone server-side.

A video tutorial on how to apply this method can be followed here:

Note: You can only follow this tutorial on iOS 13/.x. iOS 10 and iOS 9 versions do not have the “Activate with passcode” option. Apple has patched this bug on the newer firmware, so it is recommended to try on iOS 11.1.1 and lower.

If 2FA is not enabled in the account, you will not see the “Activate with Passcode” option under the Username and Password fields. Instead, you will see an option called “Activation Help”.

Part 4: How to erase data remotely from your lost iPhone?

If your iPhone is lost or stolen, one of the first steps you should take is to erase the data remotely. This not only protects your personal information but also removes the activation lock.

Note: Before proceeding, one should know that once all the data is erased from your iPhone, you will no longer be able to use 'Find my iPhone' and all your data will be erased.

Steps to erase data remotely from your lost iPhone

  1. Launch Find My iPhone on any iOS device and enter your account credentials. You can use any iOS device for this procedure.

    find my iphone login

  2. Once you log in, you'll be able to view all the devices linked to your account. Select the device you wish to erase.
  3. Please note that your device will be viewable only if the Find my iPhone feature is on your lost device and is active.

    locate find my iphone lost mode

  4. Tap on the actions button on the bottom and tap on erasing.

    find-my-iphone-erase

  5. You will be asked for confirmation to erase your lost iPhone and will then require you to fill in your account credentials for one last time.

    confirm erase iphoneenter apple id erase iphone

  6. Now you will require to fill in a contact number that would appear on your lost iPhone along with a suitable message. This way, a generous person could get in contact with you to help you retrieve your iPhone.

    enter phone number erase iphone

  7. Once the required information is obtained, the erasing of data will start and you'll be notified when it completes.

Video Guide:

It's pretty easy to keep your iCloud account safe if you know the simple tricks. Whether you are using iCloud on your iPhone or any other Apple device, following these steps will ensure that your information is kept secure. And it's really easy to bypass iCloud activation!

Part 5: How to unlock iCloud on activated iPhone / iPad / iPod?

How to remove iCloud activation lock for all iOS 13/12/11/x, iPhones 100%, and lower-version devices?

Here is how:

1. Download first the customized iTunes backup without iCloud ("Find my iPhone" should be turned OFF).

2. Connect your locked device to iTunes. Then follow the instructions in the video below, and you can add a new iCloud ID account and use the iPhone or iPad as normal.

Note: This method will not remove iCloud from the Apple server. If you check your IMEI, you still have iCloud ON. This method, however, will remove iCloud from the local device iPhone / iPad / iPod.

Besides, Apple only offers 5GB of free storage for each iCloud account. If your iCloud storage is full or getting close, you will get annoying popups every day. You can follow these 14 simple hacks to fix iCloud storage full on your iPhone/iPad.

Conclusion

Unlocking your iPhone from the iCloud activation lock requires patience, precision, and tech-savviness. Choose a method that suits your comfort and device specifics: DNS servers, tools like Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS), or Apple's support. Evaluate methods, watch out for scams, and trust reliable solutions. The journey to an iCloud-free iPhone may have twists, but many have succeeded—so can you. This guide aims to help you reclaim your iPhone's functionality and demystify iCloud locks. Remember, patience, research, and the right approach are key.

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James Davis

James Davis

staff Editor

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