One of the security measures that Apple implements on their computers is the Search My iPhone activation lock, which works the same for iPod and iPad. This feature consists of blocking all files stored on the device once the number of attempts to unlock it is exceeded. In this way, guarantees that in case of theft , the user information will not fall into the hands of third parties.
At the time, it was a function highly applauded by users as it gave them the ability to protect their information and back it up with a cloud backup , but the fact of having to pay To do the latter was not so applauded. That is why many customers decide to disable “Search my iPhone” and use other methods to enable activation lock.
If you are part of this user group and you don’t know how to deactivate the service, continue reading this article so you can learn. We will show you all the methods to deactivate Find my iPhone and how to apply each one of them . In the end, you will end up learning everything about this blocking function so you can decide if it is really a good option to deactivate it or not.
Steps to deactivate the option “Search my iPhone”
5-step guide to using the tool
- Step 1: Select the model of your mobile device
- Step 2: Choose your country (Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia …)
- Step 3: Select your company (Vodafone, Orange, Yoigo, Movistar …) and press « Liberate «
- Step 4: Enter your IMEI number (You can know it by dialing on your phone *#06#)
- Step 5: Click on « Unlock Now » and…. Done!
Searching for my iPhone is part of the iCloud service, the cloud storage platform that Apple offers its users. In general, it is like a kind of Google Drive or Dropbox exclusive for iPhone, iPad, iPod and MacOS users. Like any service, can be perfectly canceled by user decision . Here we show you the main methods to do it.
From my own iPhone or iPad
The easiest way to disable the service is through the same device. To do this you simply follow the following steps:
- Enter the settings menu of your iPhone, iPod or iPad and touch your user or Apple iD.
- Once inside your user menu , you must locate and select the iCloud service .
- Within the service menu, locate the option “ Search my iPhone ” that must be activated. Tap on it and disable it by unchecking the corresponding switch.
- You must confirm this by entering the password for your Apple ID account .
Once this is done, Search for my iPhone activation lock will be disabled . However, it will still belong to the same iCloud account to which it is linked. So if you bought the used mobile, you must deactivate directly from the service website .
From iCloud
The second option to eliminate the activation lock and unlink the phone of its former owner is through the official iCloud website. For this, the steps to follow are as follows:
- Once on the iCloud website, log in with your username and password.
- Click on your photo in the upper right corner from the screen and go to the “ iCloud Settings ” section.
- Once there go to the “ Search ” section and select “ Devices ”, which will show a subwindow that will list all the devices you have linked to that account.
- Select the device you want to unlink and click on the X next to it.
- Once this is done, you will have to confirm the action by entering the account password again strong> and the Find my iPhone service will be disabled for that device.
This way, not only will the iPhone activation lock be removed, but will also be unlinked from the iCloud account in question . So if someone else can make it their own in another profile. Similarly, you can link it back to your account whenever you like.
If I forgot the password
Without the iCloud password or Apple ID it will be impossible to deactivate the activation lock since this is the only way to confirm that you are the owner of the mobile. Therefore, in case you do not have your password you must reset it with any of the methods that Apple makes available to you .
The easiest way is with two-factor authentication . If you have this feature activated in your account, follow the steps below:
- Enter the Apple ID website and select “ Forgot your Apple ID? ”.
- Once this is done, you will request a code Verification that will be sent to your mobile.
- Enter the code and follow the steps of the wizard until it allows you to set a new password.
- Once this is done, simply sign in with the new password and voila.
Two-factor authentication can be done directly from the mobile in case you can access it. To do this you have to do the following:
- Enter the settings of your device .
- Touch your Apple ID user and go to the section “ Password and security ”.
- Once there, select the option“ Change password ”.
This will work only if you have version 10.3 or higher of the iOS operating system . In case you have a version 10.2 or lower the steps to follow are:
- Enter the device settings .
- Touch your Apple ID user and look for the iCloud section .
- Once in the service settings, tap on “ Forgot your Apple ID or Password? ”
- Follow the steps in the wizard and set a new password.
Another way to reset your password is with security questions . To do this you simply have to perform the following steps:
- Enter the Apple ID website and select “ Forgot your Apple ID? ”.
- Then you will be asked to answer the questions of security that you established when you opened your account.
- After placing the correct answers, indicate that you send the verification via email .
- Check your inbox and follow the link sent to you.
- Now you can write a new password and then log in with it.
>
In case you do not remember the answers to the security questions you will not be able to apply this method to reset your password , being able to do so only with the authentication of two factors.
If you don’t turn on
If the mobile does not turn on and therefore you cannot access it, the only way to eliminate the activation lock is to do it from the iCloud interface on your website . To do this, simply follow the steps explained in the second method.
When it will be necessary to disable the activation lock for «Search my iPhone»
Even if you don’t want to do it, there are several circumstances that may force you to deactivate this iCloud service . The most common cases are explained below.
Operating system damage
If for some reason some operating system data is damaged that prevents it from working properly and you cannot start the mobile, you will need to perform a factory reset and for this you will have to deactivate Find my iPhone. This is because it is the only way to be able to re-activate the device by reinstalling the iOS operating system .
Hardware failure
If any of the physical components of the mobile is failing and you cannot turn it on or start it, before taking it to repair Apple stores or an authorized technician, you will have to remove the activation lock. Otherwise, the expert will not be able to do his job freely and will not be able to reactivate the terminal in case the iOS system needs to be reinstalled after repairs are made.
Advantages and disadvantages of having the «Search my iPhone» lock activated
Searching for my iPhone is a good service that seeks to protect the information of its users at all costs . As a security measure, it works perfectly, but it is possible that its way of proceeding may cause inconvenience to users. Like everything in life, has its advantages and disadvantages that must be evaluated to decide whether it is worth keeping active or not.
Advantages
The main advantage for the user is that guarantees that no third party accesses personal information stored on the device in case of theft or loss . In addition, it has the option to make a backup of up to 1GB, which you can expand by paying the iCloud subscription, to back up your information in case you have to perform a factory restore if the mobile has a software-level fault or hardware.
On the other hand, is the possibility to locate your mobile via GPS . Entering iCloud and in the Search section, you will know where exactly the device is even if it is turned off. This is very useful in case of theft or loss of the terminal.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage is the possibility that the mobile will be locked for life in case you forget the Apple ID password and cannot recover it . If this were the case, it would be necessary to call the manufacturer directly and it is not guaranteed that they can solve the problem, since your user is the only way to verify that the mobile is 100% yours .
Anyway, are more advantages than the disadvantages of having this service on your mobile , so it is best to keep it active and deactivate it with any of the methods we teach you only when be necessary.
5-step guide to using the tool
- Step 1: Select the model of your mobile device
- Step 2: Choose your country (Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia …)
- Step 3: Select your company (Vodafone, Orange, Yoigo, Movistar …) and press « Liberate «
- Step 4: Enter your IMEI number (You can know it by dialing on your phone *#06#)
- Step 5: Click on « Unlock Now » and…. Done!