> What is the better solution that retains the anti-theft capabilities of the device?
Include the unlock key in the box the device was sold in, and in Apple's database. Tech-savvy users can, possessing the key, change it. Tech-unsavvy users can behave the same as they have now, even if they lost the key, as long as they didn't change it. So long as they don't carry the key with the device, all the anti-theft remains.
The freedom-respecting solution is literally trivial. The only reason it is not implemented is because Apple likes owning your devices.
Include the unlock key in the box the device was sold in, and in Apple's database. Tech-savvy users can, possessing the key, change it. Tech-unsavvy users can behave the same as they have now, even if they lost the key, as long as they didn't change it. So long as they don't carry the key with the device, all the anti-theft remains.
The freedom-respecting solution is literally trivial. The only reason it is not implemented is because Apple likes owning your devices.