How do I sign out of iCloud when you forgot you password and don't have a recovery key?

[iMore Question]

sign out of icloud when you forgot you password and don't have a recovery key

sign out of icloud when you forgot you password and don't have a recovery key

 

[HankAZ]

sign out of icloud when you forgot you password and don't have a recovery key

sign out of icloud when you forgot you password and don't have a recovery key

Apple added the Activation Lock to iOS 7 to combat the rampant unauthorized reselling of lost/stolen devices. There is no way around this lockout? your only options are to contact the person you bought it from and get (1) the Apple ID login credentials, or (2) your money back. If you bought it from an honest/legitimate seller, they?ll help you out. If you bought a stolen device from a scumbag, you are simply SOL, and you now own a pretty, albeit expensive, paperweight. You might be able to get a refund if you paid for the device with Paypal - just file a claim and see what happens. Otherwise, you are simply out of luck.

So there it is. If it's your device, use the link (https://iforgot.apple.com/password/verify/appleid) to reset the login. If you purchased the device from someone on eBay or CraigsList or a similar site, take whatever recourse you have against the seller to recover your cash.

In the future, before you buy a used iOS device make sure there is no active Activation Lock enabled that device. Just get either the serial number or IMEI and enter it here. Apple will report the status of the device.

https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/

 

[iOS Gravity]

Re: sign out of icloud when you forgot you password and don't have a recovery key

That activation lock check option is nice. It's nice that Apple implemented it.