Apple device stuck on Activation Lock after ABM releaseSolved

Participant
Discussion
8 hours ago Oct 09, 2026

An Apple device was wiped and removed from MDM and Apple Business Manager, but it still stops at the Activation Lock screen. Entering the Apple ID and password shows a server not responding error, and the MDM bypass key does not work either.

The device was originally enrolled through Automated Device Enrollment. In Hexnode, the Activation Lock info does not show an active user-based Activation Lock policy. Is there any way to clear this from Hexnode after the device has already been released from ABM?

Replies (1)

Marked SolutionPending Review
Hexnode Expert
4 hours ago Oct 09, 2026
Marked SolutionPending Review

Activation Lock behavior depends on the type of lock applied to the device.

There are two common cases:

1.User-based Activation Lock

This is tied to a user’s personal Apple ID. In this case, the MDM Activation Lock bypass code can usually be used to bypass the lock.

2. Device-based Activation Lock from Apple Business or Automated Device Enrollment

This is associated with the organization through Apple Business. The standard MDM bypass key for user-based Activation Lock will not clear this type of lock.

If the device was enrolled through Automated Device Enrollment, check whether it is still assigned in Apple Business and associated with the MDM server. If it has not been released yet, clear the Activation Lock before removing it from ABM or MDM.

If it has already been released from Apple Business, try using the Apple ID credentials of the ABM account connected for Automated Device Enrollment. In Hexnode, this can be checked from:

Admin > Apple Business > Automated Device Enrollment > Accounts

Open the ADE account and use the corresponding Apple ID credentials if the Activation Lock screen allows an organization Apple ID sign-in.

If those credentials do not bypass the lock, Hexnode will no longer be able to clear it because the device has already been released from ABM.

Regards,
Mary Romero

Save