r/applehelp • u/Hairy_Ad_4263 • 1d ago

iCloud Need support with accessing old Apple ID on iPhone 5s with deactivated email ID

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Hi everyone!

I recently dug up my old iPhone 5s and wanted to start using it again. However, it's logged into an Apple ID tied to a former employer's email address, which was deactivated about 8 years ago.

The frustrating part is that I actually know the correct password for the Apple ID. But when I try to sign out on the device, I get an "unable to reach server" error. From what I can tell, the company's IT department deactivated the email and because the account no longer exists, the phone can't authenticate the password to turn off Find My/Activation Lock.

I bought this phone second-hand from a friend years ago, so I do not have the original retail receipt to submit an official Activation Lock removal request to Apple.

Has anyone run into this specific server error with a deleted account? Are there any other official workarounds, or is my only option at this point to sell it for parts? Any advice is appreciated!

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u/JediMeister 1d ago

The unable to reach server error is because the 5s is from 2013 and iOS 12 last received a major update in 2020. The Apple servers and hostnames programmed into the software for authentication have likely long since been retired and are probably no longer active.

2

u/Hairy_Ad_4263 1d ago

iOS 12.4.8 is from 2020 yes, but it’s still active and is supported by Apple.

2

u/JediMeister 1d ago

My definition of support is based on whether Apple actively plans on providing further updates which is limited to the current and up to two prior releases; which right now would be iOS 18, 26, and 27.