How To Remove iCloud Activation Lock From An iPhone That Says it's Locked to its Owner | The Official Way Through Apple. The lock stays on when the previous owner still has the phone in their iCloud account, or when a business or school manages it. #iphoneunlock #activationlock #icloudunlock #lockedtoowner #removeactivationlock Signing in at iCloud.com/find removes a device from your own account, and Apple's Activation Lock support request handles a used phone you bought when you have proof of purchase with the serial number or IMEI.