How to Check if iPhone is iCloud Locked

"I want to buy a second-hand iPhone for my father. How to check if the iPhone is iCloud-locked? Any tips?"

Buying a used iPhone can be a fantastic way to save money, but it comes with one significant risk: the iCloud Activation Lock. Getting a device with this lock enabled is like being sold a car without the keys. It's a costly mistake that can leave you with a device that is little more than a paperweight. This guide provides the most reliable, up-to-date methods to check if an iPhone is iCloud locked before you buy.

Part 1: What is iCloud Activation Lock

iCloud Activation Lock is a safety feature of Apple, which is enabled or disabled by the FMI (Find My iPhone) service. It is designed to prevent anyone from gaining access to the device without the current Apple ID and password.

Even when someone tries to factory reset an iCloud-locked iPhone, the iPhone will ask for the Apple ID and password to unlock the device. Thus, it is important to check if the iPhone is iCloud-locked before buying a second-hand iPhone.

Part 2: Check iCloud Lock on the iPhone

When you have a used iPhone, even though you can unlock the screen, you'd better check the iCloud Activation Lock before resetting it.

Method 1. Check iCloud Lock via Settings

Step 1. Go to Settings and click your account at the top of the sidebar.
Step 2. Click "Find My" and check if it is on. If it is on, the iCloud lock on this iPhone is On.

Method 2. Check iCloud Lock via Find My App

Step 1. Go to Find My app on this iPhone.
Step 2. Click the Devices icon and check if the iPhone is on the device list. If there is the iPhone's name, the iCloud lock on this iPhone is on.

Method 3. Check iCloud Lock via icloud.com

Step 1. Visit icloud.com and log in to it with Apple ID and password.
Step 2. Select "Find My iPhone". Check "All Devices" list. If the iPhone is listed, it is iCloud locked.

Part 3: Check iCloud Activation Lock with IMEI before Buying

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique identification of each device. It can report a lost or stolen device and the Activation Lock status. IMEI can be checked from the settings of the device, SIM card tray, or the back of the iPhone, dialing *#06# on the iPhone, etc.

Apple used to provide a page for checking the Activation Lock status before, and they have removed it for no reason. So, it is feasible technically to check iCloud Activation with an IMEI number. Before buying, you can ask for the IMEI and check it by third-party services.

Here we will list several ways to find the IMEI number of an iPhone and 4 effective services online for checking Activation Lock with IMEI.

3.1 How to Find the IMEI Number of an iPhone

There are 2 ways to find your iPhone IMEI number.

Use dial *#06#

Step 1. Open the Phone app.
Step 2. Tap on the Keypad tab.
Step 3. Dial the code *#06#.
Step 4. Your device's IMEI number will immediately appear on the screen. There's no need to press the call button.

Use the Settings App

Step 1. Go to Settings > General > About.
Step 2. Scroll down to find the IMEI number listed under the "Physical SIM" or "Primary" section. You can tap and hold the number to copy it.

3.2 Online Tools to Check iCloud Lock

1. IMEI24

IMEI24 is a free IMEI checker online, which offers Activation Lock status check. Besides, you can check the model, SKU, and if the device is in the blacklist. The results are shown quickly, and you can click on options to gain information in different categories.

2. iUnlocker

iUnlocker is also an easy-to-use service online. The free check provides the device model and status of FMI. You can choose to hide the IMEI, then copy report or download screenshot of it in one click.

3. IMEICHECK.COM

IMEICHECK.COM can be a handy tool to get information before buying a used device. You need to select various information you want in the folder. But it may have an error when checking for blacklist.

4. iFreeiCloud

iFreeiCloud is a simple and reliable IMEI checker online for Apple devices. If you only want to check FMI for free, it can be your great option. A detailed review needs to be paid for.

Part 4: How to Bypass iCloud Activation Lock without Password

Have you ever bought an iCloud-locked device and you cannot contact the previous owner? Or did you forget your Apple ID password after resetting it? Here we present Tuneskit Activation Unlocker, which is explicitly designed to help you deal with iCloud Activation Lock.

With TunesKit Activation Unlocker, you can bypass iCloud Activation Lock without password. It is a trusted tool to help you access your Apple device in easy steps. Besides, it also has a high success rate in turning off Find My without password and bypassing iPhone in Lost Mode.

Follow the steps to solve the problem with ease:

Step 1Connect Your Device

After launching TunesKit Activation Unlocker, connect your device to your computer. Then, click "Start".

Step 2Jailbreak the iOS System

Jailbreaking is required before removing Activation Lock. Then, reboot your computer and open TunesKit Activation Unlocker again to continue.

Step 3 Start to Bypass

Confirm the device information on the screen. Tap on "Start to Remove", and TunesKit Activation Unlocker will begin to bypass iCloud Activation Lock without password.

The Bottom Line

You are now equipped to safely purchase a second-hand iPhone. The most critical step is to check if iPhone is iCloud locked in person before you pay to avoid buying a useless device. This simple check is your best protection.

If you already have a locked iPhone and cannot contact the seller, your options are limited. For this exact challenge, TunesKit Activation Unlocker is engineered to help you bypass the lock and regain full access.