Setting up a used phone asks for the previous owner's account

Symptoms

• Setup screen asks for an Apple ID or Google account you don't recognize
• Message says the device is linked to another account
• Can't proceed past a specific setup screen
• Phone was purchased used or received secondhand

Likely causes

• CommonPrevious owner didn't remove the device from their account before selling or giving it awayThis anti-theft feature stays active until the original owner signs out or removes the device remotely.
• PossibleDevice was reported lost or stolenIf the phone wasn't obtained legitimately, this lock is intentionally designed to prevent it from being used.
• PossiblePrevious owner forgot their own account credentials to remove the lockEven a well-intentioned seller may struggle to complete this step if they've forgotten their login.

What to do

1. Contact the person you got the phone from and ask them to remove the device from their account (via 'Find My' or their account's device list) and sign out.
2. If they no longer have access to their old account, they'll need to go through that account provider's password recovery process first.
3. If you have a receipt or proof of purchase, some manufacturers offer a request process to unlock as the legitimate new owner.
4. Never pay a third-party 'unlocking service' for this, since it typically doesn't work and can be a sign the device isn't legitimately obtainable.
5. If you can't get the previous owner to cooperate and there's no receipt, treat this as a sign the device may not be safe to use, since it can never fully unlock without their account.
6. Contact the manufacturer's official support to check what proof-of-ownership options exist for your specific situation.

When to call a pro

If the previous owner is unreachable and you have no proof of purchase, contact the manufacturer directly; never use unofficial unlocking services, which don't legitimately work and can indicate a stolen device.

Safety