If you cannot contact the previous owner, here are the primary community-led methods: 1. iCloud DNS Bypass (The "Soft" Bypass)
Reach the "Activate iPhone" screen. Press the home button and select "Wi-Fi Settings."
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Many workarounds are "tethered," meaning if the phone restarts or loses power, the bypass may fail, requiring the process to be repeated. iphone 4s activation lock bypass ios 9.3.5
The A5 chip on the iPhone 4s requires an exploit payload injected within microseconds of booting. Standard USB cables cannot manage this timing accurately on Windows or macOS. You will need an combined with a USB Host Shield to force the iPhone 4s into a "Pwned DFU" (Exploited Device Firmware Update) state. Step-by-Step Instructions:
No software can bypass an iPhone 4S Activation Lock on Windows or Mac with a standard cable alone; the A5 chip requires an Arduino hardware exploit to open the file system.
Before attempting any of these methods, please keep the following in mind: If you cannot contact the previous owner, here
While Apple’s official stance is that Activation Lock is a permanent security measure, several community-driven and technical methods exist to regain partial or full access. 1. Official Removal Methods (The "Safe" Path)
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.
The iPhone 4S uses the Apple A5 processor. Unlike newer devices (iPhone 5s through iPhone X) which are vulnerable to the permanent hardware-based Checkm8 exploit, the iPhone 4S relies on older, software-dependent exploits. The A5 chip on the iPhone 4s requires
You would edit your computer's "hosts" file to redirect your iPhone's activation request from Apple's official servers ( albert.apple.com ) to a fake server (DoulCi) that would approve it.
As of 2026, bypassing activation lock on an iPhone 4S (A5 Chip) running iOS 9.3.5 is entirely possible. This guide covers the most effective, tested methods to get your device back up and running. What is iPhone 4S Activation Lock?
Tap the "i" icon to access settings, scroll down to the section, and clear out any existing numbers. Type in one of the following regional DNS IP addresses : USA: 104.154.51.7 Europe: 104.155.28.90 Asia: 104.155.220.58 Rest of the World: 78.100.17.60