Check under the Management tab in Jamf and look for the Activation Lock Bypass Code. You should be able to use that, after restoring the computer, to bypass the Activation Lock and activate the computer. Also, if you computer is in Apple Business Manager, Apple will accept that as Proof of Purchase if you open a ticket to remove the Activation Lock. Answer from MacBook_Fan on reddit.com
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254819003
mdm key? - Apple Community
April 27, 2023 - Only the previous owner who is managing the laptop can remove it from their MDM. This is just one of the dangers of buying a used Mac these days. The other danger is whether the Mac has a firmware password lock enabled. You can check by holding down the Option key immediately after powering on the Mac (Intel Macs only). If you see a padlock, the Mac has a firmware password lock enabled...there is nothing you can do to remove it as it requires acceptable proof of purchase which you won't have since you are not the original owner.
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Scalefusion
blog.scalefusion.com › home › multi-os management › macos › mac mdm key explained: simplifying mac deployment for admins
Unlock your MacBook with an MDM key. Learn what it is & how to secure your devices.
September 24, 2025 - Simply put, the MDM key to activate Mac is critical for deployment and security in the Apple Silicon era. Getting an MDM key to activate a Mac starts in Apple Business Manager (ABM).
Discussions

Remove activation lock with MDM?
Check under the Management tab in Jamf and look for the Activation Lock Bypass Code. You should be able to use that, after restoring the computer, to bypass the Activation Lock and activate the computer. Also, if you computer is in Apple Business Manager, Apple will accept that as Proof of Purchase if you open a ticket to remove the Activation Lock. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/macsysadmin
12
15
March 21, 2024
MDM Key for MacBook
That's your only route. Apple usually responds quickly to these requests, sometimes problems arise. You'll need to either contact them again or see if you can go into an Apple store with the proof of purchase and death certificate and have them do it there. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/MacOS
13
2
October 11, 2020
Apple MDM system that bypasses iCloud Activation lock
I'd look into Apple's Device Enrollment Program--it'll tie all corporate-owned devices right to your MDM server, allowing you to bypass any activation locks along with some other nifty deployment features. It works peachy with Airwatch but I'm guessing it can tie into Meraki too More on reddit.com
🌐 r/sysadmin
28
17
July 21, 2016
Apple ID even after Erasing Mac
This is not weird, this is a security feature. Wiping a mac that is logged into icloud will always immediately prompt for that password. Two ways around it: have the user remove the device from their account or contact Apple - you will need to provide proof of ownership/purchase and they will unlock for you. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/sysadmin
81
22
March 13, 2023
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/macos › mdm key for macbook
r/MacOS on Reddit: MDM Key for MacBook
October 11, 2020 -

Hello, We're in a situation and we can not move forward. Long story short, My friend's son has passed away and we can not open his devices. He had a MacBook and iPhone. We stuck on the activation lock or use the MDM key. My friend doesn't know his son's password. We contacted apple several times to help up reset the password for his iCloud or remove the activation lock.

They requested proof of purchase which we did provide them and nothing after that. No email is been sent or nothing. Support doesn't help, every time we call they apologize and ask as to re-submit the request again. For over 2 months and nothing... Any help we greatly appreciate it.

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Apple Support
support.apple.com › guide › deployment › activation-lock-depf4ab94ef1 › web
Activation Lock on Apple devices - Apple Support
If you have physical possession ... the user name field blank. On a Mac, you can enter the bypass code by clicking Recovery Assistant in the menu bar and selecting the “Activate with MDM key” option. Consult your device management service developer’s documentation on where ...
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SimpleMDM
simplemdm.com › blog › how-to-turn-off-activation-lock
How to turn off Activation Lock | SimpleMDM
Apple Support, "If you have physical ... bypass code can be entered by clicking Recovery Assistant in the menu bar [on the Activation Lock screen] and selecting the 'Activate with MDM key' option."...
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Jamf
learn.jamf.com › en-US › bundle › jamf-now-documentation › page › Using_Activation_Lock_Bypass.html
Jamf Learning Hub
Zero-touch deployment · Mobile Device Management (MDM) Application management · Inventory management · Self Service · Identity and access management · Endpoint protection · Threat prevention and remediation · Content filtering and safe internet · Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) Security visibility and compliance ·
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Addigy
support.addigy.com › hc › en-us › articles › 4633851548563-Overview-Managed-MDM-Activation-Lock-via-Addigy
Overview: Managed (MDM) Activation Lock via Addigy – Addigy
May 29, 2025 - Within GoLive for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS devices, Addigy administrators are able to view and toggle MDM Activation Lock. If a device joins Addigy via Automated Device Enrollment and has Enable Activation Lock toggled on, GoLive will also show ...
Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/macsysadmin › remove activation lock with mdm?
r/macsysadmin on Reddit: Remove activation lock with MDM?
March 21, 2024 -

Is it possible to remove activation lock from a device using the MDM? In this case, the MDM is Jamf. The device was configured using “Find My” with a personal iCloud account and the device key in Jamf doesn’t appear to be working. Also, how could I prevent users from enabling “Find My” with a personal account moving forward?

From what I am seeing, I have to go to Apple with proof of purchase, but wanted to confirm before doing so.

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Hexnode
hexnode.com › home › bypass activation lock using hexnode uem
Bypass Activation Lock using Hexnode UEM - Hexnode Help Center
August 9, 2018 - In this case, you may enter the Bypass Code directly in the Apple Account field. For macOS, in the Activation Lock page, head over to the system menu bar on the top and click on Recovery Assistant. Choose Activate with MDM key …
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Kandji
support.kandji.io › kb › activation-lock
Activation Lock
Finder - Connect the device to a Mac and enter the bypass code in the password field in Finder ( ... MDM solution submitting an API request to Apple's Device Assignment Service API.
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SimplyMac
simplymac.com › macos › mdm-key-to-activate-mac
Using An MDM Key To Activate Mac - SimplyMac
During the activation process, look for an option to activate with an MDM key. You’ll find this in the Recovery Assistant menu on macOS. Enter the code, and your Mac should activate successfully.
Published   February 7, 2025
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Quora
quora.com › How-do-you-remove-or-bypass-the-MDM-lock-on-an-iPad-5th-iOS-15
How to remove or bypass the MDM lock on an iPad 5th iOS 15 - Quora
Answer: You don’t. Either you have the folks that enabled the MDM Lock turn it off, or you go to an Applestore, produce proof of purchase/ownership, and politely ask Apple to assist.
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JumpCloud
jumpcloud.com › home › support › create a mac or ios activation lock policy
Create a Mac or iOS Activation Lock Policy - JumpCloud
January 13, 2025 - ... Reloading the screen will always display the most recent data that was reported. Bypass codes and recovery keys should be secured and backed up regularly. ... Boot the affected device in recovery mode. Click Recovery Assistant, then Activate ...
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Quora
quora.com › How-do-I-bypass-the-MDM-lock-on-an-iPad
How to bypass the MDM lock on an iPad - Quora
Answer: The only way to remove a mobile device manager lock on an iPad, which indicates it’s owned by an organization, is to ask the IT department of the organization to remove it.
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Ivanti
help.ivanti.com › ld › help › en_US › LDMS › 10.0 › Mobility › mobl-apple-activation-lock.htm
Activation lock (Apple)
•macOS. At the top left of the screen, click Recovery Assistant > Activate with MDM key. Enter the bypass code and click next.
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ManageEngine
manageengine.com › mobile-device-management › how-to › mdm-turn-off-activation-lock.html
How to bypass Activation Lock on MacBook, iPhone, iPad?
iCloud activation lock is Apple's security feature that restricts unauthorized entry to Apple devices. Learn how to activate/bypass the activation lock on iPad, iPhone, and Mac with ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus.
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Iactivate
iactivate.host › bypass-remove-mdm-macbook
Bypass MDM service: MacBook [Pro & Air] | M1, M2, M3, T2
If not, you’ll need to reinstall macOS to reach the Remote Management setup screen. Follow this Guide to Reinstall macOS · After reinstalling macOS, your MDM-locked device will boot to the macOS Remote Management Setup Screen.
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SimpleMDM
simplemdm.com › blog › how-to-manage-activation-lock-for-enterprise-environments
How to manage Activation Lock for enterprise environments | SimpleMDM
August 27, 2024 - "[...] If you have physical possession ... On a Mac, the bypass code can be entered by clicking Recovery Assistant in the menu bar and selecting the 'Activate with MDM key' option....
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › intune › intune-service › remote-actions › device-activation-lock-disable
Remote Device Action: Disable Activation Lock - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn
October 27, 2025 - After the device is reset, you're prompted for the Apple ID and password. Leave the ID field blank, and then enter the Activation Lock bypass code for the password. This step removes the account from the device. After the device is reset, select Recovery Assistant in the menu bar and then select Activate with MDM key option to enter the bypass code...