iPhone Locked to Owner: How to Unlock in 5 Ways

Once you got a second-hand iPhone or somehow triggered the activation lock on your old device, you will be locked out of the screen, being notified with "iPhone locked to owner" message. What does it mean and how to bypass it? Usually, this activation lock is enabled to prevent others from using an iPhone, especially when it's lost or stolen. Only with the correct login credentials, such as Apple ID and password or screen passcode, can you activate your iPhone and access all features. But how difficult it is depends on whether you can contact the previous owner. Let's take all possibilities into consideration and help you unlock an iPhone that's locked to owner in this article with different ways.

• Part 1. What Does iPhone Locked to Owner Mean
• Part 2. Video Tutorial for Fixing iPhone Locked to Owner
• Part 3. How to Unlock iPhone Locked to Owner
• 3.1 Configure DNS to Fix iPhone Locked to Owner (Low Success Rate)
• 3.2 Use Joyoshare Activation Unlocker to Bypass It (Effective, High Success Rate)
• 3.3 Directly Enter Passcode to Get into Locked iPhone
• 3.4 Remove Locked iPhone from Account Remotely
• 3.5 Contact Apple Support
• Part 4. Summary

Part 1. What Does iPhone Locked to Owner Mean

"iPhone locked to owner" means that this iPhone is locked by the activation lock. Only the owner of this device who knows the screen passcode or iCloud account can unlock it and reactivate it again. This alert often appears under conditions where the Find My feature is turned on and the iPhone is factory reset. It protects the owner's personal information and keeps the data safe in case the iPhone is lost or stolen. Thus, no one, except the owner, can access the iPhone.

Part 2. Video Tutorial for Fixing iPhone Locked to Owner

Before you read the following details, watch this video tutorial for fixing iPhone locked to owner. This video will eliminate your queries when operating the steps in this article.

Part 3. How to Unlock iPhone Locked to Owner

3.1 Configure DNS to Fix iPhone Locked to Owner (Low Success Rate)

With no Apple ID and its password, you are able to configure Domain Name System on several old iOS systems to bypass "iPhone locked to owner". But it is worth noting that this method is barely functioning although changing DNS is harmless to try.

• Step 1: Go to Wi-Fi settings on your iPhone and choose a network you connect to.
• Step 2: Tap the info icon and get to the next screen.
• Step 3: Select Configure DNS and change it to the Manual option.
• Step 4: Tap Add Server and enter the following DNS value based on your location.
• USA: 104.154.51.7
• South America: 35.199.88.219
• Europe: 104.155.28.90
• Asia: 104.155.220.58
• Australia and Oceania: 35.189.47.23
• Other: 78.100.17.60

3.2 Use Joyoshare Activation Unlocker to Bypass It (Effective, High Success Rate)

If the screen passcode and Apple account password are unavailable to you when your iPhone is locked to owner, it would be better to use Joyoshare Activation Unlocker to get it bypassed in an efficient way. This program is specifically designed to remove the activation lock as well as to fix iPhone that is locked to owner. Within a few minutes and several steps, your iPhone will be unlocked without the requirement of a password. Moreover, Joyoshare Activation Unlocker is able to unlock iPhone, iPad and iPod and supports iOS and iPadOS systems. You don't have to worry about privacy leakage as it assures you 100 % safe during the unlocking progress.

Key Features of Joyoshare Activation Unlocker

• Remove activation lock without previous owner
• Turn off the Find My feature effortlessly
• Unlock Apple ID from iPhone/iPad/iPod touch
• Easy operating steps and a high success rate

Try It Free Try It Free

• Step 1 Connect to Joyoshare Activation Unlocker

  After installing the newest version of the program, read the disclaimer carefully and confirm your action by hitting the Agree button. Then, click the Start button and connect your iPhone to your computer.

  

• Step 2 Jailbreak iPhone Manually Following the Tutorial

  Whether it's required to jailbreak an iPhone and how to jailbreak actually depend on which iOS version your device is running with. You can strictly check onscreen instructions in the program to make it. Here're detailed activation removal guide you can follow.

  

• Step 3 Begin to Fix iPhone Locked to Owner

  When the jailbreak progress is completed, confirm your device information and click Start to Remove to bypass the activation lock so as to get out of the "iPhone locked to owner" screen.

  

3.3 Directly Enter Passcode to Get into Locked iPhone

If you are the owner of the locked iPhone or you contact the previous owner, it is super easy to get into iPhone that's locked. When you see this interface, swipe up the screen and enter the screen passcode. If you are asked to enter the Apple ID and password, tap the message beneath the input box stating "Unlock with Passcode", and type in the screen passcode here. After that, you can set up your iPhone normally. Alternatively, you're able to type in both Apple ID and password for unlocking activation lock if the previous owner has told you.

3.4 Remove Locked iPhone from Account Remotely

If you can contact the previous owner, it is possible to unlock iPhone remotely with the help of iCloud. It is essential to untie your iPhone with the previous Apple ID to avoid the same problem appearing again. Once the previous owner has helped remove iPhone, the device can be activated and used by you as a new one.

• Step 1: Sign in with the Apple account associated with the locked iPhone on https://www.icloud.com/find.
• Step 2: Under All Devices list, select your iPhone that is locked to owner.
• Step 3: Click on the Remove from Account option and make confirmation by entering the password again.

3.5 Contact Apple Support

If you're the device owner who forgot Apple ID or password for unlocking activation lock, you can reach Apple Support through the official website. Then give details about what's happening or simply enter keywords like "iPhone activation lock" in the request box. It will ask if the device is linked to an Apple ID that you're familiar with. Follow the onscreen instructions and choose options based on your actual situation. You'll be suggested to reset your Apple ID password. Besides, it's workable to make an online chat or call Apple Support. If you have to get rid of activation lock and luckily have proof of purchase documentation, you can also initiate an activation lock support request.

Part 4. Summary

Without a password, this article tells you how to configure DNS to unlock the "iPhone locked to owner" screen, and recommends Joyoshare Activation Unlocker bypassing the lock screen in a more effective way. With a passcode or Apple ID password, it is easy to get iPhone unlocked. In case all the methods offered in this post cannot solve your problem, you need to contact Apple Support and provide your personal information to unlock the iPhone. Hope that there is a workable way among these 5 methods that could let the iPhone activation lock goes away.