【Prison Tres Speciale Pour Femmes】

'Looks like scoring a used iPhone just got a bit more tricky.

Apple's iCloud Activation Lock tool—which allowed potential buyers to check if a used iOS device (i.e. iPhones,Prison Tres Speciale Pour Femmes iPads, iPod Touches and Apple Watches) is tied to an active account—appears to have been removed from iCloud.com. The change was first noticed by MacRumors.

SEE ALSO: Apple's website just got an update only total geeks will notice

Activation Lock, first introduced with iOS 7 in 2013, is enabled automatically when a user turns on their device's Find My iPhone feature. It ties an iOS device to a single iCloud account, effectively protecting the phone from being hijacked by someone else. It's the reason why you have to take a few moments to wipe an iOS device and turn off Find My iPhone when you trade your old iPhone in for a new one—if you didn't, your old device would still be tied to your account, and useless on the resale market.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

The Activation Lock status checking tool was first introduced in 2014 to help buyers on the resale market steer clear of locked (and thus: potentially stolen) devices. By entering the IMEI or Serial Number, buyers would instantly be alerted of a product still tied to an iCloud account, and take the proper steps with the seller to either unlock the device or stop the sale.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Now, however, searching for the tool's page results in a 404 error, and all mention of the feature has been removed from Apple's Activation Lock support page. When reached for comment about the tool's removal, Apple reps no response.

Either way, now that the tool's offline, be sure to do your homework if you're buying a used iOS device. If you're not dealing with a retailer that's been certified by Apple, make sure to ask the seller about the Activation Lock up front. If they can't guarantee the device isn't still locked, don't buy it.

This story was updated to reflect Apple's response to our questions.

---

Featured Video For You

---

Taking underwater photos with your iPhone just got way easier

---

Topics Apple Cybersecurity iOS

• Games
• Tech
• Digital Culture
• Entertainment
• Science
• Deals
• Life
• Shopping

• Festung High School
• 10 thoughts we had while watching the new 'Game of Thrones' trailer
• This week in apps: Disney Clips, Firefox updates, and more
• 11 career moves for Sean Spicer now that all else has failed
• Motherhood!
• Google Doodle celebrates the 'man who saw the internet coming'
• This shot of Terry Crews in 'Crackdown 3' looks amazing
• 'Doctor Who' companion Deborah Watling dies
• No Country of Civil Men
• Hulk talk better in 'Thor: Ragnarok' (and refuse turn back into Banner)

• What the real story behind Hulu's 'Stolen Youth' documentary?
• Comedian nails the discomfort of trying to support a friend who's in the wrong
• Google Maps is adding a lot of new features. See the list.
• Wordle today: Here's the answer, hints for February 11
• This church's nativity depicts the holy family separated at the border
• Forget Peloton. All you need to get pedaling is this $140 under
• HBO Max and Discovery+ merger called off, sort of
• Hugh Grant knocking on doors in the name of Brexit is giving us 'Love Actually' vibes
• Here's a trick when you're stuck talking politics on Thanksgiving
• What is piss play and watersports kink?

• Sucking Up to the Saudis
• Sears was the Amazon of its heyday. Now it's a zombie.
• 'Thor: Ragnarok' trailer
• 11 career moves for Sean Spicer now that all else has failed
• Spielberg’s Children
• This shot of Terry Crews in 'Crackdown 3' looks amazing
• Bran Stark may have just revealed the Three
• Trans artist destroys period stigma with one seriously bold Facebook post
• Looking for Twin Peaks
• UK officials lay down new drone rules for amateur users

• In Praise of Negative Reviews
• Bizarre wearable wants to shock you awake so you don’t fall asleep at the wheel
• Brad Pitt and Frank Ocean's friendship reached new heights at FYF Festival
• Finally: 'Wonder Woman' sequel announced at Comic
• Beyond Belief
• 'Justice League' poster arrives just in time to unite the league at Comic
• Kid fresh out of wisdom teeth surgery just misses his girlfriend so damn much
• New 'Blade Runner 2049' clip plays at Comic
• Plunged Into Darkness
• Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner says Sansa doesn't trust her family