So, my boyfriend's dad runs a real estate company, and all the employees have to use work phones. The issue is that whenever they get new phones, the old ones just sit around and gather dust. By the time my boyfriend's dad thinks to check on them, everybody has forgotten their passwords! I'm planning to help him set up an Apple ID as a recovery option for future phones, but right now I need to know if there's a way to fully factory reset these old iPhones without knowing the screen lock password or the Apple ID. I'm an Android user myself and feel a bit lost here, especially since the Apple Store wasn't much help. I want to do something about the e-waste these old phones represent, so any solutions would be super appreciated!
4 Answers
Make sure you have proof of purchase handy. Apple usually helps out with unlocking if you can show that the phone belongs to the business.
You can reset the phone without the screen lock passcode, but if they forget their Apple ID password, the device is basically a brick. So, it's tricky if they don't have the correct info.
Yikes, that sounds frustrating! I’ve been there with my devices too, and it really is a pain when you can't access them.
If your boyfriend's dad owns the phones, he can contact Apple to get the activation lock turned off. It might also be worth looking into mobile device management (MDM) systems to manage the devices better in the future.
This situation is exactly why I recommend putting company devices under some form of MDM. It simplifies things a lot and helps prevent password issues down the line.
Good tip! It’s always best to have that documentation ready just in case.