Apple News
Apple Takes Down Handy Activation Lock Status Tool For iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
The link to the Activation Lock webpage no longer works and the support document detailing the feature does not contain any reference to the web tool as of January 24. It was unclear at post time if a new version of the tool might be returning in the future in one form or another.
Apple has removed all references to the Activation Lock status page from its support page when it updated it on January 24th, with the direct link to the tool also not working. Instead, the company now recommends consumers to check the Activation Lock status in person on the device, though this is not a viable solution when buying online through eBay or other channels.
And what does Apple advise doing if you bought a device that’s still linked to the previous owner’s account? “Contact the previous owner as soon as possible and ask them to erase the device and remove it from their account,” reads the support doc.
The now-removed Activation Lock status tool required you to enter a device’s IMEI or serial number to see the status of Activation Lock. As a quick backgrounder, Activation Lock is a security feature that prevents stolen devices from being used unless authorized with the original owner’s Apple ID password.