I have an older 2018 MacBook Pro that still works, but I tried to erase it because it had become slow. During the process, Activation Lock appeared. I recognize the account associated with the Mac, but the password was rejected. I reset the password and tried again, yet it still would not unlock. I can sign in successfully to Apple's account and cloud services using the same information, and the account is linked to my email address and phone number. I no longer know where the original proof of purchase is. Are there any legitimate options for unlocking the Mac?
2 Answers
There is no legitimate bypass for Activation Lock. The Mac must be removed using the Apple Account credentials that are actually linked to it, or Apple may be able to help if you provide acceptable proof of purchase from an authorized seller. If the account email or password was changed after the Mac was last online, the device may still be expecting older account information, so check whether it appears in your current device list and confirm that you are using the exact account originally connected to it.
Check Apple’s Find Devices page while signed in to each Apple Account you may have used. If the Mac appears there, select it and remove it from the account after completing any required erase steps. If it does not appear under any account, that strongly suggests the credentials being used are not the ones tied to the lock, and Apple support with proof of purchase is the remaining route.
The Mac does not appear in Find Devices, even though I can sign in to the account and its other services.
I was using the Mac normally until I started the erase process, and I reset the password after verifying my identity by email and phone. I’ll still check whether an older account or device record is involved.