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Unlock an iPhone in Activation Lock Mode

Learn how to unlock an iPhone in Find My iPhone Activation Lock mode. It can take up to 10 business days for Apple to unlock a device. If you do not have the proof of purchase, it will take an additional five (5) days for the ITS Service Desk to process the request.

What information do I need before calling Apple?

  • Caller’s name and email address

  • Cal Poly physical address

  • Phone's serial number (found in the device's Settings[your name] >[the phone's name] > Serial Number)

  • Proof of purchase in the form of a receipt, and a copy of the back of the box from the phone's original packaging.

If your department’s devices are enrolled in Mobile Device Management (MDM), then the MDM server can send a special command to the device that will remove Activation Lock. 

  1. If the phone is unlocked then it is ready for reactivation.

  2. If the phone is locked, please continue with the steps below.

  3. Call Apple’s Education Line at 1-800-800-2775.

  4. Press 3 (technical support). 

  5. Press 1 (product owned by school or institution).

  6. Provide your name and tell them you are from Cal Poly State University.

  7. Describe the issue, "the iPhone in Activation Lock mode and needs to be unlocked".

  8. If Apple informs you that the iPhone has been claimed via iCloud as “Lost” please follow these steps, if not continue onto step 9.

    1. Take a photo of the phone, front and back.

    2. Include the photo as an attachment to your email to Apple.

  9. After providing the phone's serial number, you will be given a case number from Apple.

  10. You will receive an email from Apple. 

    Hello,  Please review the Form below and complete or correct any needed information. Afterwards please copy and send to pv_inst_amr@apple.com using "Case Number - Cal Poly State University" as the subject, and attach any and all Proof of Purchase documents, unless confirmed by advisor. A reply will be sent within 10 business days.    To be considered valid, the receipt must include the following information:    1. Reseller’s name   2. Reseller’s address, phone number or website URL  3. Date of purchase when the product was originally sold  4. Product serial number, IMEI number or MEID number    The serial number can be typed or handwritten. If the reseller didn’t provide the serial number on the receipt, you can write the number on the receipt before you send it. For help finding your product’s serial number, see this article:    How to find the serial number of your Apple hardware product  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1349    To better assist you press this mail to link that will create a new email with body, subject, and mail address   Click Mailto Link     =========== Copy the Form Between the Dotted Lines as the Body ===========               UNLOCK AUTHORIZATION STATEMENT: I [YOUR NAME] representing [BUSINESS/INSTITUTION NAME] authorize Apple, Inc. to unlock the devices listed. WERE THE DEVICES USED BY EMPLOYEES / STUDENTS?: WHY IS THE BUSINESS / INSTITUTION UNABLE TO REMOVE FIND MY IPHONE ACTIVATION LOCK?: CASE NUMBER: PRODUCT SERIAL NUMBER: PRODUCT IMEI/MEID: (Cellular devices only) PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: BUSINESS/INSTITUTION NAME: REQUESTOR NAME: PHONE NUMBER: STREET ADDRESS: CITY/STATE: POSTAL CODE: EMAIL ADDRESS: =========== Copy the Form Between the Dotted Lines as the Body ===========   Best regards,  The Apple Support Team 

     

  11. Send an email to pv_inst_amr@apple.com with the receipt and a copy of the back of the box from the phone's original packaging. Copy and paste the information between "Copy the Form Between the Dotted Lines as the Body" and "Copy the Form Between the Dotted Lines as the Body" into your email and enter all of the requested information.

  12. Allow 10 business days before the case is fully processed. You will receive a confirmation email from Apple.


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