This iPhone is linked to an Apple ID? Read and get feasible methods to remove this Apple ID and create a full iPhone backup.
Hello! I gave my iPhone to my niece to use. After a period, we want to give it to another niece now. However, the iPhone is linked to her old email and password that she couldn’t remember. What can I do?
-A user from Apple Community
Have you seen the message on your Apple activation lock screen “This iPhone is linked to an Apple ID”? If you forget the Apple ID or password, you may meet this situation and your iPhone will be locked.
The use of the same Apple ID ensures that all Apple services and devices work seamlessly. And this consistency provides you with easy access to your content from any iOS device.
If there’s no corresponding password for you and you attempt to reset a second-used iPhone that is linked to an Apple ID, you could be stuck on the Apple activation lock screen. Therefore, this message suggests that you need to replace this Apple account with your own Apple account.
Please scroll down to learn how to bypass the Apple activation lock and unlink the iPhone from the linked Apple ID.
If you forget the Apple ID or password, you can reset the Apple ID or password with the following steps.
Step 1. Go to iCloud.com, and click “Forget Apple ID or password”.
Step 2. Enter your Apple ID to get started. If you forget your Apple ID, you can click “look it up” and follow the on-screen instructions to retrieve your Apple account.
Step 3. Enter the phone number you used to create this Apple ID and “Continue”.
Step 4. You’ll receive a message from Apple. Please follow this message to reset the password for your own Apple ID.
If the previous owner is your friend or relative, you could invite him/her to unlink the Apple ID by following these steps.
Step 1. Log into the iCloud.com with the linked Apple ID, and go to “Find iPhone”.
Step 2. Click “All Devices” on top. Then select the iPhone that shows the linked Apple ID message.
Step 3. Click “Erase iPhone” after the iPhone’s menu appears.
Step 4. Once the iPhone is erased, click “Remove from Account” to remove this linked Apple ID from the current Apple account.
After that, your iPhone gets out of the Apple activation lock. Now, you can add your own Apple ID and password.
If you want to bypass this iPhone linked to an Apple ID, perhaps you can put this iPhone into recovery mode. Let’s take iPhone 8 as an example. Please note that step 2 also applies to iPhone 8 plus and later versions.
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer.
Step 2. Force restart your iPhone: Press and fast release the Volume Up button > Press and fast release the Volume Down button > Press and hold the Side button (Power) until the Apple logo shows. Don’t release this button until the recovery mode screen appears.
Step 3. Open and run your latest iTunes. There’s a pop-up message reminding you to “Restore” or “Update” your iOS device. Please select “Restore”.
Step 4. After the restoration process, your iPhone will start up and you can set up your iPhone. Then you can bypass the Apple activation lock.
The two cases cited at the top of the article could be the two most common reasons for getting stuck at the Apple activation lock screen. If your situation happens to be one of the two cases above, you’ll probably go with the first two options.
Please pay attention that the second solution could lead to data loss. What’s worse, the last solution could erase all settings and content on your iPhone.
After fixing this issue, if you want to avoid iPhone data loss in the future, you can utilize this excellent free backup software-AOMEI FoneBackup. This freeware could bridge your needs by making a full iPhone backup (apps, Safari, system settings, photos, contacts, music, messages, videos, etc.)
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FoneBackup on your PC. Then connect your iPhone to the computer and tap “Trust This Computer”.
Step 2. Under the Phone Backup tab, click the “Get Started” option.
Step 3. Click “Full Backup” to make a full iPhone backup.
Step 4. Enable “Backup encryption” if you like. Locate a destination path to save this full iPhone backup on your computer, and click the “Start Backup” button.
This iPhone is linked to an Apple ID? Three feasible options may assist you in escaping the Apple activation lock screen. You can choose an appropriate method to repair it.
Moreover, you’re supposed to use AOMEI FoneBackup to make a full iPhone backup for data loss prevention. This backup and transfer program enables you to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone. Besides, transferring data from iPhone to the computer is also allowed. Does this post tackle your issue?
