Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply
ask a new question.
Question:
Question: How to delete previous owner information on macbook
Hello All,
I recently bought a second hand macbook pro early 2013. He obviously formatted all his information and programs and set up macbook so it was ready to work. He had however set up an account, I have changed all the details I can (he had supplied password) now I am still seeing his name as a file location. Has anyone got any advise on best way to set up Macbook so it is just my details. Thank you in advance
MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)
Posted on Nov 26, 2014 10:20 AM
User profile for user: Andy1120
Question: How to delete previous owner information on macbook
Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply
ask a new question.
Question:
I had a mac that was passed down to me from someone else. When I got my new book, I transferred everything over to the new computer under my apple id... BUT the old user's information is still on here and their login is required for some updates. How do I completely remove their apple id from my computer?
MacBook Pro with Retina display
Posted on Aug 5, 2014 3:56 PM
User profile for user: jjeaton
Question: How to remove previous owner's apple id?
Apple’s iOS devices—the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch—use a security feature called Activation Lock that’s designed to keep anyone else from using your device in case it is lost or stolen. This is a great anti-theft feature, but it can make things very difficult if a device’s former owner is intentionally rehoming it.
If the Find My feature was enabled—which is part of the Activation Lock process—Apple stores a device’s serial number along with the Apple ID in a company database. Even after a clean restore, the device will register with Apple’s database and see the feature is enabled based on the serial number of the device. An Apple store can bypass this, but they are unlikely to do so unless you can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you own the device. Often, they’ll just turn you away and say they can’t do it.
The absolute best way to fix this is to reach out to the previous owner and have them remove the device from their Apple ID. They can do this by entering their password on the Activation Lock screen, or by accessing iCloud. Here’s what the previous owner should do if they opt for the iCloud reset.
1. Sign in to iCloud.com.
2. Click on Find iPhone.
3. At the top of the page, click on “All Devices” to open a list of devices linked to their account. This list will show a list of the devices linked to the iCloud account, whether it’s online or not. If this is a family account, the list also shows the items for each family member.
IDG
3. Scroll down the list until you find the device you want to remove. Click it.
4. The webpage will display a few options for the device. Click Remove from Account to disassociate it from the iCloud account.
IDG
After the previous owner removes the device, then you should turn the device off and turn it back on again to set up the device as new.
If you cannot reach the previous owner, you may be out of luck—or, if the person you bought this device from cannot or will not do this for you, it is possible that you have bought a stolen device and are in possession of stolen property. If you can prove with documentation that the device was legitimately owned by the previous owner and sold to you, you can try contacting Apple suport to start an Activation Lock support request.
This is a good reminder to anyone who wants to pass on an old device: Make sure you follow the proper steps to have the device removed from the previous owner’s Apple ID beofre the transaction to avoid this dilemma.
Michael Connell was the original author of this article. It has been updated to reflect the new instructions by Apple.