iActivate Review: Does It Still Work in 2025?

by Lorena Hill

Updated on 2025-05-20

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5min read

iActivate is a tool dedicated entirely to removing iDevice MDM. When you land on the website, the interface feels too straightforward: a simple download button, a payment screen, and the bold promise to make your iPhone usable again. And that’s exactly what raises doubts. Could it really be this easy to use? You can’t even try it for free, as iActivate simply says: pay US$45 and your MDM lock will be gone.

To help you out, we’ll introduce you to iActivate and show you exactly how it works. This way, you can decide for yourself whether it’s worth trying it out. And if you’ve already tried iActivate and it didn’t deliver, or if you’re simply looking for something more modern and reliable, we’ll also introduce Passixer iPhone Unlocker

software review | iActivate

Overview of iActivate

When it comes to iActivate, there are a few things almost everyone wonders about. Which devices does it actually support? How much does it cost and does the price change depending on the model? And more importantly, where can you even install this tool?

These questions come up for a reason. You can’t begin using a tool without first knowing these things. So, let’s start with answering there.

What is iActivate?

intro | iActivate

iActivate.host site focuses on one job: checking your DEP status and bypassing MDM(Mobile Device Management configuration profiles on iPhones and iPads, including both Wi-Fi and GSM models.

What it actually does is soft-remove the remote management. So, it won’t clear the lock from Apple’s servers, and that’s something you should know right away. However, once the bypass is complete, you’ll be able to access the setup screen, use your own Apple ID, and get most of the regular functions back, just like any unlocked iPhone or iPad.

Here’s a quick table with everything you should know before you decide to try it out.

devices | iActivate iPhones from 5s all the way up to the latest iPhone 16 models. Some iPad Pro units are supported, along with select iPod Touch devices.
(No school-locked or Apple School Manager models.)
OS | iActivate macOS: Only compatible with macOS 10.11 (El Capitan), 10.12 (Sierra), 10.13 (High Sierra), and 10.14 (Mojave).
Windows: Support Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. Installation and use require admin privileges.
pricing | iActivate MDM Bypass Service: US$ 45 (one-time fee per IMEI for bypassing MDM on a single device).
MDM/DEP Checker: US$ 3.99 (to confirm whether the device is supervised or enrolled in DEP).
MDM Mac Removal: US$ 29.99 (for bypassing MDM on macOS-based locked devices).

Is iActivate Safe to Use?

First of all, iActivate.host comes from the same developer circles as tools like Checkm8, iRemove.tools and Apple Tech 752. So, in a way, safety in any technical sense isn’t a concern. And yes, personal testing checks out the software too.

It’s true that the last major update dates back to 2019, but even now, you can still download and install it without risking your system and use it to bypass configuration profiles on your iDevices.

What Do Users Say About iActivate?

Coming to user feedback, yes, our own tests matter, but seeing how it performs across hundreds of real users is just as important.

So let’s look at two of the most telling platforms: Reddit where raw experience reveals many things and Trustpilot.

From Reddit

There isn’t much widespread chatter about iActivate on Reddit, but the few mentions we did find reflect a split experience.

One post from three years ago by user DomDing noted that iActivate worked “flawlessly” on iOS 15.3.1. In that case, the tool performed exactly as expected.

Reddit positive review | iActivate

However, fast forward to a more recent experience—Party-Lifeguard1304, just seven months ago, shared that iActivate didn’t work on iOS 14.7 and, worse, there was no customer support to guide the next step. While the user was patient and accepted that “fails happen”, the total lack of response from the team left them disappointed after losing US$ 45.

Reddit negative review | iActivate

From Trustpilot

iActivate currently holds a strong 4.8 rating from over 1,800 reviews on Trustpilot, showing that many users found the tool helpful. However, even positive feedback comes with side notes.

Nate shared that while iActivate did what it promised, he ran into an unexpected issue. He discovered that transferring a backup from an MDM-locked phone to a new device also transferred the MDM configuration itself. That meant he needed to pay for a bypass on both phones, something no one really expects.

Trustpilot good review | iActivate

Similarly, Rob L, said the bypass worked but once he restored his phone, the MDM profile reappeared. As he puts it, “That”is not how I expected. Bit disappointed. unfortunately.”<img src=

Trustpilot bad review | iActivate

How Does iActivate Work on MDM Bypass

iActivate works by remotely bypassing the MDM profile from your Apple device but not from the DEP (Device Enrollment Program) server. That’s an important difference to know.

As seen in the above user reviews, once the bypass is done, you can use your iPhone or iPad but only on its own. If you restore the device or move its backup to another phone, the MDM lock will come back. The bypass applies only to that specific device, not the source.

Steps to Use iActivate to Bypass iPhone/iPad MDM

Step 1. Download the correct version of iActivate Software from the official iActivate.host website on Windows or macOS.

download iActivate | iActivate

Step 2. Once installed, open iActivate and connect your MDM-locked iPhone or iPad to the computer using a USB cable.

connect MDM-locked iPhone | iActivate

Step 3. The tool will automatically detect your device and confirm if it’s supported. When prompted, proceed to order a license.

Step 4. You’ll be redirected to a payment page with your IMEI or serial number pre-filled. Click Buy Now to activate your license.

click Buy Now | iActivate

Important Note on iActivate Licenses:

You’ll find a lot of listings for iActivate.host on eBay but don’t fall for them, because these are not official and could risk your money and device.

iActivate licenses | iActivate

There are many unsolicited messages with WhatsApp numbers offering “discounted” access. Ignore these, too. iActivate.host itself warns against such scams.

unsolicited messages | iActivate

Step 5. After license confirmation, return to the software and select Start Bypass to begin the MDM removal process.

select Start Bypass | iActivate

Step 6. Once completed, your device will reboot and return to the setup screen.

Step 7. Go through the setup steps as you would on a new iPhone or iPad.

setup steps | iActivate

Top Alternative to iActivate for MDM Bypass

Yes, iActivate is solely focused on MDM, but it doesn’t offer optimized recovery paths due to its price, support, etc. That’s where Passixer iPhone Unlocker truly stands apart.

Passixer provides different premium plans, such as the $29.99 one-month plan that enables you to bypass MDM on up to 6 devices. Moreover, when you encounter any issues when using the software, the professional support team is always ready to help. When it comes to the MDM bypass feature, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, Passixer offers two tailored MDM removal modes: one for locked devices stuck on the Remote Management screen and the other for phones and tablets that are still usable but are silently managed in the background. Both types are handled differently, without confusion..

In addition to bypass MDM lock, you can also use Passixer to unlock screen lock, deleting Apple ID, removing Screen Time, etc.

Comparison Table: Passixer vs iActivate for MDM Bypass

When you’re weighing two tools that aim to do the same job, it’s better to put them side by side. This way, you’re seeing how each one stacks up in real-world use. So here’s a straightforward comparison that gives you a clear picture of what each tool actually offers:

Feature Passixer iPhone Unlocker iActivate.host
MDM Bypass Modes Offer two optimized modes: one for fully locked devices, another for accessible ones. Only one bypass method, and not optimized for device types.
Supported Devices All iPhones, iPads and iPods, including iPhone 16, iOS 18 supported. iPhone 5S to iPhone 16, some iPads.
MacBook (Intel and M1)
System Requirements Work on modern Windows and macOS (Catalina and above). Require iTunes (both Mac and Windows).
Need Visual C++ Redistributables when using Windows version.
No support on macOS running on Catalina and above.
Pricing US$ 29.99/month
US$ 39.99/year
US$ 69.99/lifetime
Any license is valid for 6 iOS
US$ 45 per device (MDM bypass)
US$ 3.99 (DEP check)/single scan
US$ 29.99 (Mac-only version)
Support Dedicated customer support with documentation and ticket system. No responsive support noted in recent user reviews.
Extra Features Apple ID removal
Screen Time passcode removal
iTunes backup encryption removal
iCloud Activation Lock bypass
Each function optimized separately
MDM DEP checker tool only

How to Bypass MDM on iPhone/iPad with Passixer

Passixer provides two clear paths depending on your device’s MDM status, Here’s how each works:

For Devices Stuck on the Remote Management Screen

Step 1. Launch Passixer and choose Remove MDM. Select the Disabled device option and hit Start Removing. When prompted, type 0000 to confirm.

hit Start Removing | iActivate

Step 2. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer with a workable USB cable. Next, follow the onscreen steps to place your device into Recovery Mode.

Recovery Mode | iActivate

Step 3. Confirm your device details and then select Start to download the required firmware package.

select Start | iActivate

Once completed, click Device Activated > Got it to proceed.

click Got it | iActivate

Step 4. When your device reaches the Hello screen, complete the setup. You’ll notice the MDM lock is gone. Your device is now fully usable again.

Hello screen | iActivate

For Devices That Are Usable but Still Under MDM

Before You Start:

  • Turn off Find My iPhone in Settings > Apple ID > Find My.
  • Your iTunes backup password will be reset to “1234”that can be changed later.
  • No data will be lost in this mode.

Step 1. Open Passixer and select Remove MDM. Click Start Removing under the Work Properly section.

Work Properly section | iActivate

Step 2. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer using a USB cable. Press Start to begin removal.

begin removal | iActivate

Step 3. Once the process is finished, your device will restart. Everything like your apps, photos and settings will remain exactly as they were. You’ll have full access, minus the MDM.

restart device | iActivate

Conclusion

iActivate still works and that much is true. Yet, it still comes with too many dependencies, and with no meaningful updates in the last six years, it’s clear the tool hasn’t kept pace. Support has faded and more users are walking away disappointed after paying US$ 45.

Passixer iPhone Unlocker, on the other hand, is actively maintained and built for today’s devices. More importantly, Passixer is designed specifically to remove MDM in two clear ways, whether your device is fully locked at startup or still usable but tied to a company or school. Passixer makes the process simple and guarantees recovery of up to six devices with a single license.

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TrustScore 5 | 5
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