In a surprise move, Apple decided to remove το Activation Lock του iCloud που επέτρεπε στους χρήστες ελέγχουν από το IMEI ή από τα series number συσκευές με iOS. Από αυτή την εβδομάδα, το χαρακτηριστικό δεν θα υπάρχει πλέον, αφού η Apple αφαίρεσε κάθε ίχνος του από το site της.
Η change may be intended to discourage company customers from purchasing used iOS devices from other (individuals) and third-party vendors.
However, removing Activation Lock from iCloud will probably lead to an increase in theft of iPhones as perpetrators can sell these devices much easier.
Usually, when someone wants to buy an iOS device from a third-party reseller or other person, they could check its IMEI deviceand see if it is locked or not, before buying. The process was quite easy as iCloud Activation Lock was available online.
After being removed by Apple, it is much more difficult for someone to check the status of an iOS device, and impossible to check online.
Beginning with 24 January, Apple advises customers to check for Activation Lock before purchasing a used device to make sure the device has been deleted and is no longer linked to the previous owner's account.
How; If you try to open the device and the lock screen appears instead of the Home screen, the device has not been erased.
You will then need to ask the seller to turn off the device completely from Settings / General / Reset / Delete all content and settings.
If you purchased a device that is still connected to the previous owner's account, you should contact the owner and ask him / her to switch off the device and remove it from his / her account.