If you need a general used-computer condition checklist: How to check a used computer before buying
Understand what Activation Lock means
On a supported Mac, Activation Lock links the device to its owner’s Apple Account through Find My. Simply erasing the disk does not necessarily remove that association. It is different from an ordinary local user password, so reinstalling macOS must not be presented as a guaranteed solution.
Inspect the actual computer, its model and condition. Identify it clearly in the purchase documentation. A photograph of a working desktop does not establish readiness for another owner.
The current owner prepares the computer
The seller backs up their files, then follows Apple’s handover instructions. If Find My is enabled, the legitimate owner turns it off through their account. Their password may be needed, but they do not need to give that password to the buyer.
Where Apple’s instructions allow, an absent seller may remove the device through their own Find My account online. A promise to do it later is not the same as completing the process. Check the outcome on the Mac itself with an internet connection.
Check initial setup before completing payment
Agree on enough time for inspection and access to a network. After the seller prepares the device, go through initial setup far enough to establish that it does not demand the previous owner’s account. Enter your own credentials privately rather than sharing them with the seller.
An organisation screen or Remote Management requirement is a separate issue. The seller needs to resolve the transfer with the relevant organisation. Do not assume another reinstall will remove it merely because a normal desktop was previously accessible.
If you discover the lock after buying
Contact the seller and retain the transaction records and exact onscreen message. Apple provides an official support-request route when you have appropriate proof of purchase. Submitting a request is not a promise of removal: Apple assesses the documentation and eligibility.
Diagnosis can help distinguish an account association, organisational management and other startup faults. Repair should not be sold as a way around somebody else’s account protection. Resolving uncertainty before handing over money is more straightforward than relying on a future unlock promise.
Sources and further reading
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