Forgot screen code, but I know my “Apple ID”: What are your chances of selling the device?

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Forgot screen code, but I know my Apple ID: What are your chances of selling the device?

Forgotten screen code, but I know my “Apple ID”: What are your chances of selling the device?

We live in times when digital security is a priority, but it is precisely the security measures that often complicate the transfer of a device to a second life. One of the most common situations in the buyback market is when a customer wants to sell an “iPhone” or “iPad” whose screen code (Passcode) has been forgotten, but they still control their Apple ID account.

Is a device with a forgotten code worthless?
The short answer is no, but the process requires specific knowledge. If you know your “Apple ID” and password, your chances of successfully selling the device for market value are almost 100%.

The main obstacle is the Activation Lock. This is a security feature linked to the “Find My” service. If you can log in to icloud.com from another device, you can remotely remove the device from your account. Once this action is completed, a professional buyer can rewrite the operating system (Restore via DFU mode), and the device becomes “clean” again.

Important:If you do not know either the screen code or the “Apple ID” information, the device is considered “bricked.” In this case, its value drops to the price of spare parts, and legitimate buyers may refuse to accept such an item due to the risk of theft.

Electronic waste: why buyback is the best thing you can do for nature

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is currently the fastest-growing type of household waste in the world. Over 50 million tons are generated each year, with a growth rate of about 3–5% per year.

Statistics alarm: why you shouldn’t delay?

According to The Global E-waste Monitor data:

  • Only about 17.4% of all global electronic waste is properly collected and recycled.
  • The remaining parts end up in landfills, where heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium leach into the soil and groundwater.
  • A single smartphone can contain up to 60 different elements from the periodic table.

How does recycling and buyback save the ecosystem?

Buyback is an important element of the Circular Economy. Here are the main aspects of why it is beneficial:

Urban Mining

Extracting gold, copper, or silver from old motherboards (PCBs) is more energy-efficient than mining ore in mines. For example, one ton of mobile phones contains more gold than one ton of gold ore.

Reducing CO2 footprint

The production of a new smartphone generates about 80% of its total lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions. By extending the lifespan of an old device through buyback and refurbishment, we directly reduce the need for new resources.

  • Hazardous waste management:Professional recyclers ensure that Lithium-ion batteries are neutralized safely, avoiding fire hazards in landfills.

Buyback process: From waste to resource

When you decide to sell an unused device to a buyer, several important processes occur:

  • Data Sanitization:Using specialized software, all your data is irreversibly deleted (a simple factory reset is often not enough).
  • Triage:The device is evaluated. If it is repairable, it goes to the secondary market. If not, it is disassembled into components.
  • Material Recovery: Plastics, glass, and metals are separated and returned to the production chain as raw materials.

“Every bought back and refurbished phone means less mined resources and a cleaner future.”

– Principle of Circular Economy

Conclusion

A forgotten screen code is not a death sentence for your device as long as you control your identity in the digital space. By choosing buyback instead of a drawer or trash can, you not only recover part of your invested money but also contribute to the preservation of nature. Every bought back and refurbished phone means less mined resources and a cleaner future.

Sources

  • Forti, V., Baldé, C. P., Kuehr, R., & Bel, G. (2020). The Global E-waste Monitor 2020: Quantities, flows and the circular economy potential. United Nations University (UNU).
  • Cucchiella, F., D’Adamo, I., Koh, S. C. L., & Rosa, P. (2015). Urban mining: A global assessment of e-waste recycling effluent challenges and opportunities. Resources, Conservation and Recycling.
  • Parajuly, K., & Wenzel, H. (2017). Potential for circular economy in household WEEE management. Journal of Cleaner Production.
  • Apple Inc. (2025). Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Apple Support documentation.
  • Islam, M. T., & Huda, N. (2019). E-waste management and its effects on the environment and human health. Science of The Total Environment.