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unrepair
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

iMac, 2024 user didn’t erase data and reset back to original. Now I cannot even use it. It’s a brick

A friend gave me a iMac 2012, 24 inch, and they said they wiped it clean. But when I went to set up with my Apple ID, it would not take it because they didn’t wipe it clean. So what do I need to do to get this machine usable for me?


Thanks in advance

Posted on Nov 5, 2026 2:20 PM

2 replies

Mac Jim ID
User level: Level 10 (105,996 points)

Nov 5, 2026 2:35 PM in response to unrepair

You need to ask them to remove the Mac from their Apple Account. Here are the steps that need to be followed before giving away a Mac. It will require their assistance to remove the account/Activation Lock.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/102773



unrepair Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Nov 5, 2026 3:10 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

Thanks so much!

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256389438