How To Bypass Activation Lock on iPhone Xs / Xs Max

This detailed guide covers all the proven methods to remove the iCloud Activation Lock (also called iCloud Lock) on the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max.

We’ll walk you through reliable solutions that work, even if you don’t have the Apple ID password or assistance from the previous owner.

Bypassing Activation Lock on a Used iPhone Xs

If you bought or inherited a used Apple phone, then you need to talk to the original owner and ask them to remove the iCloud Activation Lock.

This can be done in person, or remotely.

If they have forgotten to do this before selling you the smartphone to you this request shouldn’t cause a problem. Unless they have sold you stolen goods, and don’t know the Apple account credentials.

Assuming it is not stolen goods, you don’t need to worry about returning the locked device for them to unlock it.

They can remotely remove the Apple ID without having the phone in their possession by doing the following:

1. Go to the following website: appleid.apple.com.
2. Sign in using the correct Apple ID and password.
   
3. Click Devices.
   
4. Choose your iPhone from the list.
5. Next, click Remove from account.
   

Turning Off Find My iPhone to Remove the Lock

If the iCloud Activation Lock prevents you from setting up or using your iPhone Xs, the official Apple solution is to unlock it by providing your Apple ID and password.

If you can’t remember your Apple ID or password, you can use the iForgot website to reset them. Simply follow the on-screen instructions and you will be able to reset your password and access your account.

If you forgot your Apple ID, you can find it in these ways:

• On a different Apple device you own, go to iCloud or Media and purchases to see your Apple ID.
• If you own an Apple Mac look at System preferences. You will see your iCloud account details.
• On Apple TV, you will find your Apple ID under Settings.
• On the iForgot website, click If you have forgotten your Apple ID, you can look it up. Supply your name and email address and your Apple ID will be shown.

To find out more about account recovery, see the Apple ID and Apple password reset instructions.

Free Way to Unlock iCloud

Bypassing the Activation Lock on iPhone Xs for free is possible by providing the Apple ID and password when prompted on the device.

If you don’t know the Apple credentials of the original owner, then the best free method is to use a DNS bypass:

1. Turn on your phone.
2. Go through the setup process until you see the Choose WiFi Network screen.
3. Click the i beside your WiFi network.
4. Tap Configure DNS > Manual > Add Server and type in the IP address that is nearest to you:
   • For USA: 104.154.51.7
   • For South America: 35.199.88.219
   • For Europe: 104.155.28.90
   • For Asia: 104.155.220.58
   • For Australia and Oceania: 35.189.47.23
   • For other continents: 78.100.17.60
5. At the top left of the screen, tap Back.
6. Click your Wi-Fi network.
7. Type in your Wi-Fi password and click Join.
8. The iPhone will try to activate and go to a new screen. Don’t let it. Hit the Back button to the WiFi page where you will be logged in.
9. Once logged in you will see the iCloud bypass screen that will say iCloudDNSBypass.net at the top.

For more information, see how to unlock an iCloud locked iPhone for free.

Remove the Activation Lock Yourself

If you can’t get in touch with the previous owner, or they are unable to unlock the iPhone Xs you can bypass the Activation Lock yourself using an activation lock bypass tool or service.

However, you need to use a reputable company and avoid scammers.

There are many companies online that claim to be able to help you bypass Activation Lock. Yet, my testing has shown the iCloud unlocking advice they give is wrong. They are trying to rip you off so be careful.

Types of scams to watch out for

• Software downloads and hacks that damage your computer.
• Online tools that claim to ‘interface‘ with Apple servers that ask you to fill in quizzes or click ads.
• PDF downloads with instructions that don’t work.

Fees

If you look online you will see iCloud unlock prices range from $40 USD to $100 USD. However, you need to be careful as some suppliers will break their fees down into 2 parts:

• A deposit
• A final fee

Suppliers keep the deposit low giving the impression that their costs are competitive but they are simply hiding the true cost. You will be asked to pay a much larger final fee which will bring the overall cost up.

When we reviewed Activation Lock bypassers, we took this odd payment structure into account to make it easier to compare services.

We also noticed that prices fluctuate up and down by as much as $10 USD, so the price we paid for the services may not be the current fee charged.

Pros and cons of paying for an unlock:

So there are 2 methods you can use yourself to attempt to bypass the Activation Lock:

1. Use a reliable bypass service that offers a refund if it fails – so you can get a refund if it doesn’t work.
2. Get a free trial of a software tool that allows you to try before you buy.

Both of these are covered next.

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Using a Service to Remove iCloud Lock

In a recent review, I tested a range of tools to find the best online iCloud bypass service that can remove the Activation Lock. I concluded the best service was provided by DirectUnlocks.

For more in depth step-by-step instructions on ordering the unlock service correctly, see our DirectUnlocks review and usage guide.

Alternatively, here is a brief guide:

1. On the DirectUnlocks website, enter your IMEI number.
2. In the device model drop-down select your iPhone, then click Unlock iCloud!
   
   
3. To proceed, agree to the terms and conditions.
   
4. Select your preferred payment method, then pay the fee.
   
5. After 24-hours or so you will get an email confirming the unlock has been completed

Unlocking iPhone Xs with a Third-Party Tool

There are also many software tools that can be used to hack the Activation Lock. They vary in quality from excellent to awful. If you pick the wrong one you can damage your device permanently and infect your computer with viruses or trojan horses. 

Luckily, there are some good tools available with the best being iBypasser.

iBypasser can hack the iCloud lock by connecting it to your computer and running an unlock process.

In my tests, some of the things that made iBypasser the best tool included:

• Free trial.
• 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Easy to install and use.
• Responsive and knowledgeable support.
• Regular software updates.
• Positive customer feedback.

Read a full review of iBypasser and download a free trial copy.

To bypass iCloud Activation Lock using a tool, follow these steps:

1. Download and install the iBypasser app. Once installed, launch the app to begin.
   
2. Click the option labeled Bypass iCloud Activation Lock Screen to move forward.
   

   

3. On the next screen, click Start to initiate the bypass process.
   

   

4. Connect your locked iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Apple Watch to your computer using a Lightning to USB cable. If you need more guidance, check out Apple’s instructions on how to connect iPhone and your computer with a cable.
   

   

5. Prepare your device for the jailbreak process by following the on-screen prompts.
   • For Mac:
     1. iBypasser will automatically download the jailbreak software. No need to install an Apple driver.
     2. Click Start Jailbreak to begin.
        

        

     3. Once the jailbreak is complete, click Next to continue.
        

        

     4. Your device will now be jailbroken.
   • For Windows:
     1. Since iBypasser doesn’t automatically jailbreak iOS devices on Windows, follow this guide to complete the process manually.
     2. When the jailbreak is finished, click Finished Jailbreak to proceed.
6. Verify your device information on the screen (IMEI number, iOS version, etc.), then click Start Bypass to begin.
   

   

7. iBypasser will now remove the iCloud account and bypass the Activation Lock screen. This process will only take a few seconds.
   

   

8. Once the iCloud Activation Lock is removed, you can set up a new Apple ID, reset the device, or use any of its features as usual.
   

   

What is Activation Lock?

Activation Lock is a built-in security feature found in many Apple devices, including iPhones. Once your iPhone is activated, it’s automatically linked to your Apple account, making it impossible for anyone else to activate or use the device with a different Apple ID.

This ensures that no one can erase, reset, or reactivate your iPhone without the proper Apple ID credentials.

Activation Lock is part of the Find My app, a crucial security tool for Apple products.

Find My iPhone is a free service that helps you track down a lost or stolen iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. It works by using GPS and Wi-Fi to pinpoint the device’s location on a map.

You can also lock the device remotely to prevent unauthorized access, play a sound to help find it, display an alert message, or completely erase its data to protect your information.

Wrap up

The demand to bypass iCloud Activation Lock on Apple devices is huge. This has resulted in many scammers appearing, ready to take your money without being able to unlock the iCloud lock. Be careful.

The safest option is to use Apple’s official method to get around iCloud Activation Lock on your iOS device.

If the official method is unsuitable, please stick to the recommended methods found in this guide.