Iphone 4s Activation Lock Bypass Ios 9.3.5 May 2026

I notice you're asking about bypassing the Activation Lock on an iPhone 4s running iOS 9.3.5.

Important note: Activation Lock is an anti-theft security feature from Apple. Bypassing it without the original owner's Apple ID and password is not legitimate unless you are the rightful owner and have lost access to your account.

If you own the device and need help recovering access, here are legitimate steps:

  1. Try account recovery – Go to iforgot.apple.com to reset the Apple ID password.
  2. Use previous passcodes – If you know a prior device passcode, iOS may allow you to reset the Apple ID password on the device itself.
  3. Contact Apple Support – Provide proof of purchase (original receipt with serial number/IMEI), and Apple may remove Activation Lock for you.
  4. Check for DNS bypass tricks – Some old "lifestyle and entertainment" articles suggest DNS-based workarounds for limited functionality (like web browsing only). These do not fully bypass the lock, and often fail after a restart. They also don't make the phone fully usable for calls, iCloud, or app downloads.

What won't work:

Security warning: Avoid articles that encourage bypassing Activation Lock without ownership proof — they may violate laws or Apple's terms of service.

Bypassing the Activation Lock (or the final version 9.3.6) is a common challenge for legacy device enthusiasts. Because the iPhone 4s uses the

, it is susceptible to certain hardware-level exploits, though the process is more complex than for newer devices. Legitimate Removal Methods

Before attempting technical workarounds, try these official routes: Original Owner:

The most reliable way is for the original owner to sign in with their or remove the device remotely from their account at icloud.com Apple Support: If you have the original sales receipt , you can submit an Activation Lock support request to Apple for an official unlock. Technical Bypass Options

If you cannot contact the previous owner, here are the primary community-led methods: 1. iCloud DNS Bypass (The "Soft" Bypass)

This is not a full unlock but a way to use the device's features via a custom server. How it works: You change the DNS settings

in your Wi-Fi configuration to point to a third-party server (e.g., 104.154.51.7 for North America). Easy to do; no computer or cables required.

Very limited access; you can only use specific apps like a web browser, YouTube, or basic games through the server's menu. 2. Hardware Exploits (Checkm8-A5) checkm8 exploit allows for a deeper bypass but requires specific hardware. Requirements: Often requires an Arduino Uno USB Host Shield Raspberry Pi Pico to put the A5 chip into "Pwned DFU" mode. Functionality: This can allow you to delete the file, which skips the activation screen entirely. Limitations: iphone 4s activation lock bypass ios 9.3.5

This often results in a "tethered" bypass (must re-run the exploit if the phone dies) and usually disables SIM card services (no calls or SMS). 3. Software Tools

Several third-party tools claim to automate this process by connecting the device to a PC or Mac.

Bypassing the Activation Lock on an iPhone 4s running iOS 9.3.5 can be handled through official Apple methods or unofficial community workarounds. Official Removal Methods

Apple provides legitimate ways to remove the lock if you are the owner or can contact the previous owner.

Remote Removal via iCloud: If the previous owner is willing, they can sign in to the iCloud Find My page, select the iPhone 4s, and choose "Remove from Account". This is the most reliable way to clear the lock instantly.

Password Reset: If you own the account but forgot the password, you can reset it through the Official Apple Account Recovery.

Support Request: If you have the original proof of purchase (sales receipt), you can submit a Support Request to Apple. They will review your documentation and may unlock the device for you. Community & Unofficial Bypasses

For those without access to the original account or receipt, community-developed tools exist, though they often come with limitations like disabled cellular services. Activation Lock - Support - Apple

The year was 2011 when the iPhone 4S first changed the world, but by late 2016, it had reached its final destination: iOS 9.3.5. For Leo, a digital archivist, the sleek glass slab sitting on his desk wasn’t just an old phone—it was a locked vault. He had bought it at a flea market, a pristine "white pearl" model, only to find the dreaded Activation Lock screen staring back at him.

The device was tied to an Apple ID that likely belonged to someone who hadn't thought about this phone in a decade. On iOS 9.3.5, the security was a strange mix of old-school vulnerabilities and modern encryption. Leo knew that a standard "bypass" wasn't a simple button click; it was a ghost hunt. The Digital Siege

Leo began his journey in the underground forums of the "Legacy iOS" community. The air in these digital spaces smelled of nostalgia and broken code. He learned that on an A5 chip device like the 4S, the "Checkm8" exploit—a holy grail for jailbreakers—wouldn't work because it only supported A7 through A11.

He tried the old "DNS Bypass" trick first. He entered a custom server address into the Wi-Fi settings: 104.154.51.7. Suddenly, the phone flickered. Instead of the iCloud login, he was greeted by a makeshift menu. He could watch YouTube, browse the web, and play basic games. But the phone was still a prisoner; he couldn't make calls or use the actual iOS interface. It was a window, not a door. The Hardware Hack I notice you're asking about bypassing the Activation

Determined to truly own the device, Leo looked toward more drastic measures. He read about "Arduino Bypass" methods. It involved using a USB host shield and an Arduino Uno to send a specific set of commands to the phone while it was in DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode.

By "pawning" the device—tricking the bootrom into accepting unsigned code—he could potentially delete the Setup.app file. This file was the gatekeeper; if it didn't exist, the phone would boot straight to the home screen.

As the sun began to rise, Leo sat surrounded by tangled wires and glowing monitors. He ran the script. The terminal on his Mac scrolled with green text. The iPhone screen stayed black, then flashed a series of white lines—the "verbose boot" that every tinkerer loves to see. The Bitter Triumph

The Apple logo appeared, followed by a loading bar. When the screen finally lit up, it didn't ask for a language or a Wi-Fi network. It jumped straight to the iconic iOS 9 home screen.

Leo felt a rush of victory, but it was short-lived. He quickly realized the limitation of the "delete Setup.app" method. Without a legitimate activation token from Apple’s servers, the phone had no "baseband" signal. No SIM card would work. It was essentially an iPod Touch with a camera.

He looked at the small device. It was bypassed, unlocked, and completely offline. In his quest to break the lock, he had saved the hardware but lost the "phone." He realized that Apple’s lock wasn't just a wall; it was the phone’s very identity. Without the original owner's key, the 4S remained a beautiful, high-tech paperweight—a silent monument to the era of cloud-tied security.

💡 Note: While stories of bypassing are common in tech circles, Apple’s Activation Lock is a powerful anti-theft tool. For real-world devices, the only permanent and fully functional solution is using the original Apple ID or providing proof of purchase to Apple Support.

If you are looking for practical help with an old device, let me know: Do you have access to the original receipt? Is the device in Lost Mode, or just forgotten credentials? Are you trying to recover data or just use the hardware? I can guide you through the official recovery steps!

The iPhone 4s running iOS 9.3.5 occupies a unique niche in the Apple ecosystem—it is one of the oldest devices still hit with Activation Lock

, but its aging hardware and firmware make it susceptible to specific, albeit technical, bypass methods. While modern iPhones have robust security, the 4s can often be revived for "hacktivated" use through older exploits. The State of Bypass: iOS 9.3.5

There is no "official" one-click button to bypass this lock without the original Apple ID. Instead, users typically rely on these categories of solutions: DNS Bypass (The "Quick Look" Method): How it works:

By changing the Wi-Fi DNS settings to a specialized server, you can "trick" the device into loading a web portal instead of the activation screen. Limitations: Try account recovery – Go to iforgot

This does not fully unlock the phone; it only allows you to browse the web, watch YouTube, or play basic games through a captive portal. Hardware-Based Exploit (The "Checkm8" Path): Arduino Uno USB Host Shield is a common hardware-based approach to trigger the exploit on A5 devices like the 4s. The Result:

This method can "hacktivate" the device, allowing it to boot into the home screen, though services like iCloud, iMessage, and cellular calls often remain disabled. Legacy iOS Downgrade: Technique: Some users use tools like Legacy iOS Kit

to downgrade the device to iOS 6.1.3, which is sometimes easier to activate or "hacktivate" than iOS 9. Recommended Tools & Resources

For those looking to restore a 4s to a functional (though limited) state, the following community-trusted tools are standard: Sliver by AppleTech752

: A widely cited toolkit for bypassing older A5 devices like the iPhone 4s using an Arduino. Legacy iOS Kit

: A command-line tool used for downgrading and performing various legacy device repairs.

: A newer tool claiming support for various iOS versions, though reliability for the 4s specifically varies. Critical Limitations

The Hard Truth: Official vs. Unofficial Methods

Understanding Activation Lock

The activation lock is a security feature designed to prevent unauthorized use of an iPhone if it's lost or stolen. It's tied to the device's IMEI and the Apple ID used to activate it.

Still Stuck? Try this final trick

Before giving up, leave the iPhone 4s on the “Hello” screen (the Activation Lock page) plugged into a reliable Wi-Fi network for 48 hours. Sometimes, Apple’s activation servers temporarily soft-unlock vintage devices after repeated failed attempts if the device pings a known, clean IMEI. It’s a long shot, but multiple users on Reddit have reported success with iOS 9.3.5 devices simply “freeing themselves” after two days of idle battery drain.

Good luck, and enjoy resurrecting one of Apple’s greatest iPhones.

Top Methods to Bypass iPhone 4s Activation Lock on iOS 9.3.5

Due to the 4s being 32-bit, several exploits work that do not work on newer iPhones.