HT202649 Hello, I just bought a used iPhone 4S but can't get past the ID to continue set up. I went to iforgot as requested to reset my password to my existing account. Still can't get past the ID.

Hello,
I am having setup issues with a used 4S iphone. I can't get past the Apple ID step.
First it said it was an existing ID and I should go to iforgot and reset my password.
I did, but still keep getting the error message.
Then I entered the serial number online support and it said the ID was another account. Would that be the seller?
Do I need to get them to unregister under their name before I can proceed? Or...
Please help. I start  new job on Monday that required me to have a smartphone. I need it up and running.
Thank you
R

Yes, you have encountered Activation Lock (Find My iPhone Activation Lock - Apple Support). The only way that phone will ever be usable is if the owner the phone is locked to releases it (see: Find My iPhone Activation Lock: Removing a device from a previous owner’s account - Apple Support). If you are lucky the phone is locked to the seller, so you can ask them to unlock it. If the seller is merely a middleman and the previous owner is not the seller it gets much more complicated. It's even possible that you bought a stolen phone, in which case you will never be able to use it and you should return it for a refund.

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