Using Activation Lock Bypass

Activation Lock is a feature that protects devices by linking a user's personal Apple ID to a device. If a device is ever wiped or restored, the user's Apple ID and password are required to unlock the device.

When an organization deploys supervised devices with Jamf Now, this Activation Lock feature can be bypassed. That means that if an employee leaves without removing their Apple ID that locked the device, Jamf Now can provide a code to unlock the device, which will allow your organization to set it up as new.

Important:

If you remove the device from Jamf Now after being wiped, you can no longer bypass Activation Lock.

Requirements
  • Supervised computers with macOS 10.15 or later
    Note:

    Computers with macOS Catalina require Automated Device Enrollment.

  • Supervised iPad or iPhone devices enrolled via Automated Device Enrollment or Apple Configurator

  1. Log in to Jamf Now.
  2. Click on Devices.
  3. Click on the device for which you need to bypass the activation lock.
  4. Click the Action pop-up menu (•••) in the top-right corner of the page, and then select Show bypass code from the pop-up menu.
  5. Take note of the bypass code. To avoid manually entering the bypass code, plug your device into the computer so you can copy and paste the code into the device (iPad and iPhone only).
  6. Enter the bypass code on the device:

    • On an iPad or iPhone, enter the code in place of the device password. Leave the Apple ID field blank.

    • On a Mac, select Activate with MDM key from the Recovery Assistant pop-up menu. Enter the code in the Enter your MDM key to active this device field.

  7. Click Next.
Note:

If the bypass code does not work, see How to remove Activation Lock from Apple's support website to start an Activation Lock support request.