Power on the Arduino. The LED lights on the Arduino shield will blink, indicating it is sending the payload to exploit the iPhone's bootrom. A solid or specific LED sequence will confirm the device is successfully in Pwned DFU mode .
Unplug the iPhone from the Arduino and plug it directly into your Mac/Linux computer. Open your bypass software (e.g., Sliver ). Select the iPhone 4S option and choose iOS 9.x.x Bypass .
The Bypass: Most "bypass" methods for older hardware like the 4s involve using software exploits to jump past the setup screen.
| Feature | Status After Bypass (iOS 9.3.6) | | :--- | :--- | | | ❌ Permanently broken | | iMessage / FaceTime | ❌ Won't activate | | App Store (free apps) | ⚠️ Sometimes works via legacy iTunes | | Music / Videos / Camera | ✅ Fully functional | | Wi-Fi web browsing | ✅ Works (via DNS or ramdisk method) | | Reboot without re-lock | ⚠️ Depends on method (ramdisk survives reboot; DNS does not) |
However, a vast number of these second-hand devices come with a digital padlock: . If the previous owner didn’t remove their Apple ID, the phone becomes a beautiful, glossy brick. This article dives deep into the technical landscape, legal realities, and step-by-step methodologies for bypassing iCloud on an iPhone 4s running iOS 9.3.6. Iphone 4s Ios 9.3.6 Icloud Bypass
Turn on your iPhone 4s and proceed through the initial setup (Language, Country).
Before you proceed, you must be fully aware of the grave consequences of attempting a bypass.
The iPhone 4s, released in 2011, was a popular smartphone that ran on iOS 5. However, with the release of newer iOS versions, users were able to upgrade their devices to later versions, including iOS 9.3.6. Unfortunately, this also meant that these devices became vulnerable to iCloud activation locks, making it difficult for users to access their devices without the original Apple ID and password. This report will examine the process of bypassing the iCloud activation lock on an iPhone 4s running iOS 9.3.6.
Tap the button at the top left, select your Wi-Fi network, and enter your Wi-Fi password. Power on the Arduino
Connect the USB Host Shield to the Arduino, and plug your iPhone 4S into the Host Shield via the 30-pin cable.
, a security feature designed to prevent unauthorized use of a device after it has been lost, stolen, or reset without the original owner's credentials. Understanding iCloud Activation Lock
Because the A5 chip requires a specific USB timing exploit (known as or alloc8 ), standard computers cannot reliably send the exploit payload alone. Technicians and hobbyists use an Arduino Uno R3 development board paired with a USB Host Shield to breach the device's SecureROM code. Prerequisites: An iPhone 4s running iOS 9.3.6.
The iCloud Activation Lock helps protect devices from unauthorized use. Bypassing it doesn't remove the device from Apple's tracking capabilities entirely, but it complicates the process for device recovery. Unplug the iPhone from the Arduino and plug
, most modern apps are no longer supported on iOS 9 anyway, meaning the device's utility remains strictly limited to basic media playback or nostalgia.
Add one of the following DNS servers based on your location: USA/North America: 104.154.51.7 Europe: 104.155.28.90 Asia: 104.155.220.58 Other: 78.100.17.60
| Step | Action | |------|--------| | 1 | Press the Home button to wake the phone. Swipe to unlock. | | 2 | Select your language and country. Connect to Wi-Fi. | | 3 | When you see the Activation Lock screen (Apple ID and password box), tap “Back” to return to Wi-Fi. | | 4 | Tap the blue (i) next to your connected Wi-Fi. Scroll to > Manual . | | 5 | Enter Server: bypass.icloud.express (working as of 2024-2025 reports) or iphone4s.directicloud.com | | 6 | Leave Port blank. Authentication: Off. Tap Back, then Join. | | 7 | Wait 30 seconds. The screen may flicker. If it fails, try another DNS server like dns.bypass.today . | | 8 | Upon success, you’ll bypass to a home screen. Do not attempt to sign into iCloud in Settings – you’ll trigger the lock again. | | 9 | Disable automatic software updates immediately to prevent re-lock. |
Apple will unlock an Activation Locked device for free if you can prove valid ownership. If you have the original paper receipt or an invoice from an authorized reseller showing the phone's serial number, you can submit an official online. 3. Contacting the Previous Owner
