How to access the iPhone I found?

The snow just melted where I live so I went for a hike and I found an iPhone 5 that looks like it has been sitting in nature for a while, and has a message that says it hasn't been backed up for 37 weeks (9 months). I assume the previous owner has moved on and gotten a new phone, so I would like to use it. The problem is it requires a passcode and even when I tried connecting it to a computer and restoring it, it said it required a passcode. I'm stuck and I could use whatever help you guys can give.

The snow just melted where I live so I went for a hike and I found an iPhone 5 that looks like it has been sitting in nature for a while, and has a message that says it hasn't been backed up for 37 weeks (9 months). I assume the previous owner has moved on and gotten a new phone, so I would like to use it. The problem is it requires a passcode and even when I tried connecting it to a computer and restoring it, it said it required a passcode. I'm stuck and I could use whatever help you guys can give. By keeping the phone you've stolen it, morally and legally.

Activation Lock has been designed precisely to make the phone as worthless as possible to thieves and the only person able to overcome it is the rightful owner, although that may now be an insurance company.

It's also possible that now it's working it's sending details about it's location and also photos of you and your surroundings using a covertly installed app which is very popular and used by many owners; it goes quite a bit further than the regular Find My iPhone app.

Do the right thing and just hand the phone in; getting a criminal record or a prosecution for such a low value item simply isn't worth it and if it's been sitting in snow for ages it likely has little life left anyway due to the water damage. Turn it in to the police or like post it to them anonymously saying find the owner, it's not yours, you can't access it, time to do the right thing You don't. It isn't yours. Your sense of entitlement notwithstanding, Just because you found it, that doesn't mean it is yours to use. You would not be able to get past that. Sort of connected to the whole Apple vs FBI thing in the news recently…

& even if you did then there would be Activation Lock. Finders are keepers, Get into DFU mode and install a new iOS

Turn it in to the police or like post it to them anonymously saying find the owner, it's not yours, you can't access it, time to do the right thing

You don't. It isn't yours. Your sense of entitlement notwithstanding, Just because you found it, that doesn't mean it is yours to use.

You would not be able to get past that. Sort of connected to the whole Apple vs FBI thing in the news recently…

& even if you did then there would be Activation Lock.

Finders are keepers, Get into DFU mode and install a new iOS