Find My iPhone Activation Lock

Find My iPhone includes Activation Lock—a feature that’s designed to prevent anyone else from using your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch if it’s ever lost or stolen. Activation Lock is enabled automatically when you turn on Find My iPhone.

 

Do I need to turn off Find My iPhone before giving away my device?

Yes. Before you give your device to someone else, turn off Find My iPhone to ensure that the other person can activate and use the device normally. The best way to do this is to sign out of iCloud and then erase all content and settings from your device before handing it over. This completely erases your device, turns off Find My iPhone, and removes the device from your Apple ID account.

In iOS 10.3 or later:

  1. Tap Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
  2. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
  3. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.
  4. Go back to Settings.
  5. Tap General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

In iOS 10.2 or earlier:

  1. Tap Settings > iCloud.
  2. Scroll down and tap Sign Out, then tap Sign Out again.
  3. Tap Delete from My iPhone and enter your password
  4. Go back to Settings.
  5. Tap General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

You can learn more about what to do before selling or giving away your device