Iphone Help!

[Trendsetter]

I'll try and keep it short and simple.

I've got an Iphone X, it's locked with a 6 digit passcode and fingerprint. It was my little brothers phone, he is no longer with us, and my mother just wants the photos and videos of him.

I don't have access to the Icloud account because I can't get into the email that was used to set it up.
I've googled it a few times and for the most part, it's either "wipe the phone and get access" or people giving their useless opinions, such as "maybe the person doesn't want you to know what's in their phone".
Well, that's why I want to get access and get rid of anything that he wouldn't have wanted anyone, specially our mother to see.

He didn't have itunes on his laptop, so it wasn't synced to that.
I've tried DrFone and that'll pretty much wipe it too.
Apple can't do much regarding the password either.

Does anyone know of anyway to get access to the data on the phone?
Is Apple able to give me access to the Icloud account with proof of a death certificate?

 

[Wahesh]

I'll try and keep it short and simple.

I've got an Iphone X, it's locked with a 6 digit passcode and fingerprint. It was my little brothers phone, he is no longer with us, and my mother just wants the photos and videos of him.

I don't have access to the Icloud account because I can't get into the email that was used to set it up.
I've googled it a few times and for the most part, it's either "wipe the phone and get access" or people giving their useless opinions, such as "maybe the person doesn't want you to know what's in their phone".
Well, that's why I want to get access and get rid of anything that he wouldn't have wanted anyone, specially our mother to see.

He didn't have itunes on his laptop, so it wasn't synced to that.
I've tried DrFone and that'll pretty much wipe it too.
Apple can't do much regarding the password either.

Does anyone know of anyway to get access to the data on the phone?
Is Apple able to give me access to the Icloud account with proof of a death certificate?

Brother I can’t help you with this issue, but heart-felt condolences to you about your brother. I know how hard your family has had over the years with Lily and now your bro too

We’re a small community, and we’re only online, but we’re here for you if you need us mate.

God Bless

 

[Raysie]

Hey mate, your best bet may be to target that email address rather than rely on Apple. Below are for Gmail and Hotmail/Outlook.

https://support.google.com/accounts/troubleshooter/6357590?hl=en
https://account.live.com/acsr?mkt=en-US&mn

Another option could be that his old number is still associated with the old email address, and as such could be used to recover the account details for his email? All you'd have to do is swap his SIM into a phone you have access to and then try and get a TXT security message/code (This is only if that old mobile number is still running).

 

[Trendsetter]

Brother I can’t help you with this issue, but heart-felt condolences to you about your brother. I know how hard your family has had over the years with Lily and now your bro too

We’re a small community, and we’re only online, but we’re here for you if you need us mate.

God Bless

Thankyou so much
It wasn't easy, we went from "he's cancer free" to "he has weeks" within a few months.
It came back very aggressive in a very short span of time and within 5 days of being told he had weeks, he left us one early morning about a week before Christmas.
In a way, I think he knew his time was up and he made peace with it, but we were so blinded by hope that we refused to accept it.
Hardest thing to do was bring myself to grab his phone and laptop and attempt to re live all his memories.

I seen the thread about Lili last night and it hit me like a truck. The support from my Kennel family can't be expressed in words. It's one of the main reasons I've pulled myself out of the hole I've dug myself into since his passing and tried to reconnect with society. Knowing there's people like you lot out there gives me hope that the world and life isn't a complete waste.

 

[Trendsetter]

Hey mate, your best bet may be to target that email address rather than rely on Apple. Below are for Gmail and Hotmail/Outlook.

https://support.google.com/accounts/troubleshooter/6357590?hl=en
https://account.live.com/acsr?mkt=en-US&mn

Another option could be that his old number is still associated with the old email address, and as such could be used to recover the account details for his email? All you'd have to do is swap his SIM into a phone you have access to and then try and get a TXT security message/code (This is only if that old mobile number is still running).

I tried this with his gmail, managed to get in but within minutes of login in, it kicked me out and said that they suspect the account has been hacked due to the numerous times I tried to gain access.
It did give me enough time to search and see that the Icloud wasn't connected to it.
He used a yahoo mail address for the Icloud, I don't think he used his phone for that one. It kept asking me for his details, but they aren't correct. I'm guessing he used a nickname or someone else set it up for him.

It's as if the closer I get to gaining access, the further I get pushed back everytime.

 

[Raysie]

I tried this with his gmail, managed to get in but within minutes of login in, it kicked me out and said that they suspect the account has been hacked due to the numerous times I tried to gain access.
It did give me enough time to search and see that the Icloud wasn't connected to it.
He used a yahoo mail address for the Icloud, I don't think he used his phone for that one. It kept asking me for his details, but they aren't correct. I'm guessing he used a nickname or someone else set it up for him.

It's as if the closer I get to gaining access, the further I get pushed back everytime.

This is heartbreaking mate. Reading online, there should be a way you can call Apple Support and request change of ownership to an Apple ID with proof of passing and that you're a verified trusted family member? I'd call them up and give it a crack mate, it's going to be your only legitimate way by the looks of things.

 

[Mr Invisible]

Gees mate,

I am so sorry to hear that. My thoughts are with you and your family in regards to this.

If you need anything, just let us know.

Regarding the iPhone, Apples terms (see below) state accounts are non transferable.

I'm not sure if conventional data recovery techniques (DrFone) would work in such an instance. Your best bet would be forensic recovery software. Belkasoft Evidence Centre comes to mind but I believe it is only useful on iPhone backups. It is very effective to scrub a phone. Data recovery specialists might be able to assist with a death certificate as proof, however it depends if the phone was encrypted or not. Generally they'll scrape the phone at a low level and reconstruct the data need be. I'd reply in more depth but I'm stuck using my phone for internet at the moment.

Apples Terms.
D. No Right of Survivorship

Unless otherwise required by law, You agree that your Account is non-transferable and that any rights to your Apple ID or Content within your Account terminate upon your death. Upon receipt of a copy of a death certificate your Account may be terminated and all Content within your Account deleted. Contact iCloud Support at https://support.apple.com/icloud for further assistance.

 

[Mr Invisible]

Just found a place in North Sydney who quotes $700 for forensic recovery of data on a working iPhone, to give you an idea.

If that sort of ballpark is reasonable might be worth calling around, and explaining the situation to see your options.

 

[Trendsetter]

Just found a place in North Sydney who quotes $700 for forensic recovery of data on a working iPhone, to give you an idea.

If that sort of ballpark is reasonable might be worth calling around, and explaining the situation to see your options.

Can't put a price on the memories and the little joy it would bring my mother. I'll definitely call around and see if there is anyone available in Melb.

Thanks heaps, I had no idea regarding this forensic recovery. Hopefully it works

 

[Mr Invisible]

Have just reached out to someone I know who used to run a data recovery lab down there. I'm not sure how often he gets online these days but have asked him for ideas/recommendations.

 

[MatstaDogg]

Thankyou so much
It wasn't easy, we went from "he's cancer free" to "he has weeks" within a few months.
It came back very aggressive in a very short span of time and within 5 days of being told he had weeks, he left us one early morning about a week before Christmas.
In a way, I think he knew his time was up and he made peace with it, but we were so blinded by hope that we refused to accept it.
Hardest thing to do was bring myself to grab his phone and laptop and attempt to re live all his memories.

I seen the thread about Lili last night and it hit me like a truck. The support from my Kennel family can't be expressed in words. It's one of the main reasons I've pulled myself out of the hole I've dug myself into since his passing and tried to reconnect with society. Knowing there's people like you lot out there gives me hope that the world and life isn't a complete waste.

I lost my brother and mother from cancer a couple of years apart so I understand first hand how you feel. It's never a good thing to have to go through and deal with. Just know you have a kennel family here to talk to anytime, they have been here for me during hard times before.

 

[The_Chimpster]

Hey trendsetter, for what it's worth as others have already stated, I'm very sorry to hear about your brother, its absolutely awful what happened and my heart goes out to you.
Regarding your iPhone issue, your best option is to contact apple support and explain the situation, they are notoriously difficult to deal with but hopefully if you explain and answer any of their security questions they will unlock the device.

Best of luck mate

 

[Hacky McAxe]

I second what Raysie said. Looking for another avenue is better than attempting to break the iPhone lock.

Keep in mind that the FBI spent months trying to access a locked iPhone of a terrorist and never managed to break the encryption. If they can't do it then I doubt anyone can.

If you can get access to your brother's email then you can use that to request a password reset. Keep in mind that if he had dual factor authentication on then it could take weeks/months before the password reset goes through but it should go through eventually.

 

[The DoggFather]

God rest his soul, brother.

Don't know if you already tried or someone mentioned it but won't the Apple stores help?

 

[Charlotter]

Officially, it is impossible to unlock iPhone X without restoring. If you don't want to lose data, you have to know passcode or back up data with iTunes in advance. According to your situation, it seems that both iTunes and iCloud can't help you. If it is the case, you can unlock it with the help of Joyoshare iPasscode Unlocker or the other unlocking tools. Such tools can disable digital passcode as well as Face ID and Touch ID on all iOS device models. If you still need, you can have a try.

 

[Scoooby]

I have an iPhone X also. Only Face ID an passcode, no fingerprints on this puppy..!!

Sorry to hear about you bro also mate.hope you get all your memories back!!

 

[Bad Billy]

Firstly, condolences and my heart goes out to you.
No body knows your brother better than youse, have you tried just guessing his pin ? The 6 digits probably meant something to him, so it may be worth’s a try.
Just know after 10 failed attempts, depending on his settings, the phone may wipe all the data.

 

[Moedogg]

Thankyou so much
It wasn't easy, we went from "he's cancer free" to "he has weeks" within a few months.
It came back very aggressive in a very short span of time and within 5 days of being told he had weeks, he left us one early morning about a week before Christmas.
In a way, I think he knew his time was up and he made peace with it, but we were so blinded by hope that we refused to accept it.
Hardest thing to do was bring myself to grab his phone and laptop and attempt to re live all his memories.

I seen the thread about Lili last night and it hit me like a truck. The support from my Kennel family can't be expressed in words. It's one of the main reasons I've pulled myself out of the hole I've dug myself into since his passing and tried to reconnect with society. Knowing there's people like you lot out there gives me hope that the world and life isn't a complete waste.

Just saw this thread and I know how you feel bro. I lost my mum to cancer 2 years ago. Doctors said she was cancer free after the surgery but it returned very aggressively in a couple of months. She died two years after being diagnosed. It's heart breaking seeing the person you love slowly deteriorate yet they still have that will to survive but you feel helpless. I wasn't prepared for my mums death even till her last days... I didn't even ask or want to know what stage she was in because I didn't want to accept her death.

All that's left are the memories and I'm grateful that she left her password for us to access her ipad to hold onto those photos.