Some iPhone users encountering Activation Lock error upon entering wrong Apple ID email address

It appears that inputting the wrong Apple ID email address could lead to an Activation Lock with the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and some iPhone 6s and 6s Plus models.

A number of users have stated that, after entering the wrong Apple ID email address, they cannot sign in and are therefore unable to proceed with setting up the iPhone. The issue has primarily affected new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models upon being turned on for the first time, and iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models upon being restored to default settings, although older models appear to be affected to a lesser extent.

One users, identified as “The Kricket”, offered the following testimonial:

I purchased an iPhone 6s full-price and outright directly from an Apple Store in September 2015. The phone was unlocked (I switched from T-Mobile to Verizon after I purchased it without issue). I recently purchased an iPhone 7 Plus and after that phone was activated on Verizon’s network, the iPhone 6s now indicates that it has an “Activation Lock.” It is also linked to some unknown iCloud account (not the account I activated it with or have been using it with for close to a full year).

Other users have shared similar complaints and a number of affected users said Apple was able to remove the Activation Lock on their iPhones upon providing the company with proof of purchase. This process can seemingly be completed at an Apple retail store by scheduling a Genius Bar appointment, or remotely by calling Apple’s support team at 1-800-MY-APPLE.

On rare occasions, the Activation Lock screen linked to a wrong Apple ID email address has resurfaced. In these cases, a number of users have reported that Apple offered replacement iPhone units.

It’s presently unknown as to exactly what’s causing the Activation Lock issue and Apple has yet to publicly comment on the issue.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Via MacRumors