Using a cracked activation key violates copyright laws (Digital Millennium Copyright Act - DMCA). While individual prosecution is rare, you are technically committing software piracy.
It is tempting to save $40–$50 by using a cracked AnyFix activation key. However, the cost of "free" software can be extremely high. Here is what you are risking: anyfix activation key
A 1-year license for AnyFix (covering up to 5 devices) typically costs around $39.95. A lifetime license is around $49.95. Considering that a single trip to the Apple Genius Bar can cost upwards of $99 (or a new phone $700+), this is a reasonable investment. Using a cracked activation key violates copyright laws
Pro Tip: Look for holiday discounts. iMobie runs sales on Black Friday, Christmas, and Cyber Monday, offering up to 50% off. It is tempting to save $40–$50 by using
Tools like Libimobiledevice (for Linux/Mac) are free and can sometimes kick devices out of recovery mode. However, they require command-line knowledge and lack the user-friendly interface of AnyFix.