Finding an old iPhone 4S in a drawer or buying one second-hand is a trip down memory lane, but hitting the Activation Lock screen—especially on iOS 9.3.5—can bring that trip to a screeching halt. The Activation Lock, a key component of Find My iPhone, is designed to prevent unauthorized use. However, when you genuinely own the device and cannot remember the credentials, you need a way to regain access.

Do you have the for the phone, or are you trying to recover a device from a previous owner ? How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

This report focuses on the iPhone 4S and iOS 9.3.5, and the findings may not be applicable to newer iPhone models or iOS versions. Future research directions may include:

The oldest trick in the book for Activation Lock on iOS 9 is the . This does not remove the lock permanently. It simply redirects the activation server to a fake server, allowing you to use limited device functions.

: If you own the device and have proof of ownership, contacting Apple Support directly might be the most straightforward and legitimate way to resolve activation lock issues.

It is critical to understand that iCloud activation bypass techniques are and come with several risks and limitations.

If you want full control, you can jailbreak the 4s on 9.3.5 using (via a sideloading tool like Sideloadly or 3uTools). Once jailbroken:

The activation lock on an iPhone 4s with iOS 9.3.5 is a stubborn relic of Apple’s security ecosystem. While official removal is impossible without the original owner, the . Using tools like Sliver, you can turn that brick into a functional media device.

Beware of websites claiming to "remotely unlock" via IMEI for a fee; these are frequently scams. Reliable community tools are typically free or open-source and shared on platforms like

: Sign in at iCloud Find My with the original Apple ID. Select the device and click Remove This Device .

From this menu, you can use applications, watch videos, browse the web, and listen to music.

Many 2026 tutorials recommend specialized tools, such as the one featured in this 2026 YouTube tutorial , which often requires no Arduino board for the iPhone 4S.

I can provide specific terminal commands or technical steps based on what resources you have available. Share public link

Bypassing the Activation Lock on an iPhone 4s running iOS 9.3.5 is technically possible but remains complex due to the hardware limitations of the A5 chip. Standard modern tools like Checkra1n do not support the iPhone 4s as they require at least an A7 chip.

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