I bought an iPhone 5c on Vinted, and although I can access it since there's no passcode, it's logged into an iCloud account that doesn't match the seller's name. I asked the seller to log out, but he stopped responding. I even threatened to file a criminal complaint if he continues to ignore me, and I did file the report. However, the police will likely drop the case since the phone isn't marked as stolen. I also emailed the iCloud account owner but haven't heard back. Now, I'm stuck with this phone that I can't use. What other options do I have? I've already confirmed the order on Vinted before realizing the iCloud issue, so buyer protection isn't an option anymore.
2 Answers
It could depend on the iOS version. If your 5c is running an older version and you can manage to access the Settings app, there might be a way to factory reset it—but know that this will erase everything. If it’s still on iOS 10.3.3, you could pretty much be locked out since that might not let you bypass the iCloud activation. There are some guides online about erasing it through iTunes or Finder, but be cautious as some tools can seem sketchy.
Unfortunately, you might not have many options left. Apple generally doesn’t allow bypassing iCloud locks without the original purchase receipt, and it sounds like you don't have that. So, contacting Apple for help might not work without that proof of purchase.
Yeah, I checked that Appgeeker site and wasn't sure about it either. Sounds like you might just have to sell it as disabled at this point. Good luck!