. Modern iPhones (A12 Bionic chips and later) use hardware-level security that cannot be bypassed by simply swapping a configuration file. Apple Support

Since its introduction, Activation Lock has significantly reduced iPhone theft. For modern devices (A12+ chips), the lock is enforced at the kernel level and verified against Apple’s activation servers during the setup process. 2. The Mechanics of Activation Lock

The server checks the device's unique identifier (UDID/IMEI) against its "Find My" database. A12-A15 Architecture:

When a device is erased or reset, it contacts Apple’s servers to request an activation certificate Verification: