As we mentioned in our previous post, Apple has removed Activation Lock from iCloud , leaving iPhone and iPad users with no way to check their device's IMEI. So, buyers will now have to check for themselves which devices are missing.
Essentially, Activation Lock allowed buyers of iOS devices to check if their phone was locked before purchasing it. By entering the device's IMEI or serial number, they could see if the device was disabled. Activation Lock included iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Apple Watches.
But what is the reason that led Apple to this decision?
Apparently, the website was also a bypass for hackers who wanted to unlock the devices on it. A recently published video proves exactly this speculation.
Specifically, hackers used the website to check one or two characters from an invalid number and then convert it to a valid one. They then checked whether the newly created number was functional. This is a simple hacking technique that can be used to unlock an iPhone or iPad.
It should be noted that an Apple ID bug has been affecting iOS users for several months now, and the video seems to explain why. Specifically, users who tried to activate a new or recently refurbished device noticed that their devices were locked to a different Apple ID account that had an unknown name and password. This issue has affected iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 , and iPhone 7 Plus owners since September.
