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How to remove activation lock on iPad without Apple ID and password?

I need k advice and guidance on a challenge I've recently encountered with an iPad. I have an iPad that's currently locked with an activation lock, and unfortunately, I do not have access to the original Apple ID and password that was used to set it up. This situation arose because the iPad was handed down to me by a family member who has since passed away, and we did not realize the importance of having this information beforehand.


I understand the activation lock is a crucial security feature designed by Apple to prevent unauthorized use of the device, and I fully respect the intentions behind it. However, I'm now looking for a legitimate way to remove the activation lock under these circumstances so I can make use of the iPad.


I appreciate any guidance, advice, or experiences you can share. I aim to resolve this issue while respecting all legal and ethical considerations surrounding the use of Apple devices.


Thank you very much for your time and help.

iPad Pro (4th generation)

Posted on Mar 4, 2024 11:49 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 16, 2024 9:40 AM

I got a ipad from my uncle n he is no alonger alive n i donot know the apple ID n password to open the ipad to use it can u plz help me or can u take off the account from there


48 replies

Nov 11, 2024 4:53 PM in response to khamphong595

khamphong595 wrote:

I got a ipad air 5/256/cellular from my uncle n he is no alonger alive n i donot know the apple ID n password to open the ipad to use it can u plz help me or can u take off the account from there
Help me please 🙏🙏🙏😭😭


Here are the Apple support pages that outline the Activation Lock - and the only mechanisms by which it can be satisfied:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Turn off Activation Lock – Apple Support


As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. With documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple may be prepared to assist - otherwise they and nobody here will be able to help you.


If you have the necessary documentation, Apple have introduced a portal though which you may be able to request release of an Activation Lock:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support & start an Activation Lock support request.


However, this isn’t necessarily the end of the story...


A close Family member or Executor, with the required supporting paperwork, can make application to Apple to be granted access to the Apple accounts of the deceased:

How to request access to a deceased family member's Apple accounts - Apple Support


You should note that if successful, this process will grant access to some information stored in iCloud - but will not, of itself, resolve access to the iPad.


Quite often, close family have sufficient knowledge - and access to likely recovery paths - that access to the AppleID account of the deceased family member can be recovered. Having done so, it is then possible to release the Activation Lock that prevents reuse of an iPad/iPhone.


The following guidance is written from the perspective of the owner - but a family member will get the idea as they run through the process.



If your device is Activation Locked, this help page will provide most of the information that you’ll need:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


If you have forgotten your AppleID or associated password, these can be recovered here:

https://iforgot.apple.com/


To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to any one of the following:

  • Your primary email address mailbox that corresponds with your AppleID
  • Any of the secondary/recovery email addresses that should be configured for your AppleID account
  • Any of the trusted telephone numbers (fixed line or Cellular/Mobile) that are associated with your AppleID


More information about recovery of your AppleID and associated Password:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


Having recovered access to the AppleID account (and therefore the AppleID username and associated Password), Activation Locks can be removed. There are several routes to this, but for brevity, I’ll refer you to this support page:

Turn off Activation Lock – Apple Support


If your intent is to wipe/reset the device(s) for reuse by a new user, you would be best advised to prepare them properly:

What to do before you sell, give away or trade in your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support




Aug 6, 2024 10:25 PM in response to Djephej

Djephej wrote:

iPod locked


Are you referring to an iPod music player? Most of those were discontinued long ago, did not run iOS, and did not support Activation Lock. I'm not sure how you would reset one of those if you set a passcode, and forgot it.


There were iPod touches that ran iOS.

If you forgot your iPod touch passcode - Apple Support


If you are referring to an iPad (tablet) or an iPhone (smartphone), see the answers already provided in this thread.

Dec 21, 2024 4:32 PM in response to Shaneofthe6

Shaneofthe6 wrote:

Unlock IPad with serial number


If you are the original purchaser of the iPad, and have proof of purchase from Apple, or from an Apple Authorized Reseller, showing your name and the iPad's serial number, you could submit an Activation Lock support request. See the Support article to which Mac Jim ID linked.


If you cannot prove to Apple's satisfaction that you are the original purchaser of the iPad, it will remain locked – without the credentials it is asking for, you will not be able to unlock it.


If you got this iPad second-hand, and are just now discovering that it is Activation Locked, see:

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone – Apple Community

Nov 12, 2024 8:03 AM in response to Llangollen

Llangollen wrote:

My I pad is locked and I can’t access anything


Would this be a forgotten iPad Passcode, or AppleID Password? Perhaps your iPad has been disabled, indicates that it is unavailable, or is Activation Locked? Something else?


Depending upon the issue, use of a computer to recover access might be unavoidable.



An iPad will be disabled or indicate that it is unavailable if an incorrect Passcode is entered too many times.


A forgotten or unknown iPhone/iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device. If you see a waiting period you can wait and try again to input the correct Passcode; otherwise, the iPad must be restored.


You may find this support page to be helpful:

If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support



iPadOS 17 or later with a forgotten Passcode


If you have changed your passcode in iOS/iPadOS 17 and later - and have since forgotten the new Passcode - you may be able to recover access using your previous Passcode. Passcode Reset gives you 72 hours to use your old Passcode to access your device; when you access your device in this way, you must change your passcode again immediately:

Temporarily use your old passcode when you forget your new passcode on iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


If you cannot use the new Passcode Reset feature, you must use another method.



iOS/iPadOS 15.2 or later with a forgotten Passcode


Apple has introduced a procedure with which to reset an iPad or iPhone with a forgotten Passcode - allowing you to use your AppleID and associated Password to reset your device.

How to reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when you forgot your passcode - Apple Support


You will be able to restore data from a pre-existing iCloud backup without the use of a computer, but will require a PC/Mac to restore data from an iTunes backup.



iPadOS 15.1 and earlier - and all devices that are Disabled



If your iPhone/iPad indicates that it is disabled/unavailable/locked-out, or you have forgotten your iPad passcode, you have no alternative other than to follow this process:

If you’ve forgotten the passcode on your iPad, or your iPad is disabled – Apple Support


You’ll need access to either a Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed -or more recent Apple Device App) or a Mac computer (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of macOS).

Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support

Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support


Apple Devices App (Windows PC):

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9np83lwlpz9k?hl=en-ms&gl=MS


Use of a PC or Mac is unavoidable. If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. Alternatively, the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store will be delighted to assist:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple



Activation Lock


Here are the Apple support pages that outline the Activation Lock - and the only mechanisms by which it can be satisfied:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Turn off Activation Lock – Apple Support


As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. With documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple may be prepared to assist - otherwise they and nobody here will be able to help you.


If you have the necessary documentation, Apple have introduced a portal though which you may be able to request release of an Activation Lock:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support & start an Activation Lock support request.



AppleID


You may also need your AppleID and associated password. If these have also been forgotten, they can be recovered here:

https://iforgot.apple.com


To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:

  • Your primary email address mailbox that corresponds with your AppleID
  • Any of the secondary/recovery email addresses that should be configured for your AppleID account
  • Any of the trusted telephone numbers (fixed line or Cellular/Mobile) that are associated with your AppleID


More information about recovery of your AppleID and associated Password:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support



Nov 14, 2024 6:13 AM in response to Ganeshniljkar

Ganeshniljkar wrote:

ipad locked to owner how can i how can I solve that


Here are the Apple support pages that outline the Activation Lock - and the only mechanisms by which it can be turned off:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Turn off Activation Lock – Apple Support


As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. With documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple may be prepared to assist - otherwise they and nobody here will be able to help you.


If you have the necessary documentation, Apple have introduced a portal though which you may be able to request release of an Activation Lock:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support & start an Activation Lock support request.



If you have forgotten your AppleID or associated password, these can be recovered here:

https://iforgot.apple.com/


To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to any one of the following:

  • Your primary email address mailbox that corresponds with your AppleID
  • Any of the secondary/recovery email addresses that should be configured for your AppleID account
  • Any of the trusted telephone numbers (fixed line or Cellular/Mobile) that are associated with your AppleID


Unless you AppleID account has not been fully/correctly configured, or has been seriously neglected, recovery of the AppleID and password should not be difficult.


More information about recovery of your AppleID and associated Password:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


Jul 12, 2024 8:19 AM in response to Ajonbg

Ajonbg wrote:

I forgot my iPad id

Here are some tips for finding your Apple ID:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support


This is an email address that you would have used before, so check with your internet provider to see if you used an email address that you had set up previously. Apple will not be able to provide the Apple ID to you.


If you have your original purchase receipt from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller, then you can use this support article to remove the Activation Lock. A third party receipt will not be acceptable.

How to remove Activation Lock – Apple Support (UK)

Oct 3, 2024 11:02 PM in response to Ambicream

Re: “got sold a iPad and the owner locked it and I don’t know the email or the password”


If you can find the seller, and think it is safe to contact them, ask them to either take the iPad back temporarily to prepare it properly for a new owner; or to give your money back.


Activation Lock is an anti-theft deterrent. Under the circumstances you describe, you cannot remove the Activation Lock, we cannot, and Apple will not. Without help from the owner, the iPad will remain an Activation-Locked brick.


See also:

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community


If the owner parted with the iPad voluntarily, they should have consulted this:

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Dec 2, 2024 8:14 AM in response to DreamCarrior

Not sure what changes you are referring to. Apple does recommend passwords to be at least 8 characters with uppercase, lower case, and special character like many companies, but that is only when creating a new password and does not affect older passwords. My current password does not have those requirements and still works fine when signing into any service and on my device. It is true that the original purchase receipt is required to remove an Activation Lock and yes those should be saved for any Apple device.

Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support

Dec 21, 2024 3:58 PM in response to Shaneofthe6

Shaneofthe6 wrote:

Unlock IPad with serial number

To remove the Activation lock you will need the serial number and will need to be on the original purchase receipt from Apple or Authorized Apple seller. With that information, follow the steps here:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support


Without that information, recycling is the best course of action. You have all the information already from the posts provided here.

Sep 7, 2024 7:15 AM in response to dehnime

dehnime wrote:

I’ve had this I pad for 4 years I’ve tried everything on YouTube nothing works. I really need help getting into this I pad I have forgot on my old email and the password to go with it.

As you have found out, there is no workaround. The purpose of the Activation Lock is to prevent anyone from accessing the device if they do not know the Apple ID/Password. If there was a way to bypass it, then thieves can do that too. YouTube will not be able to help.


You only have 2 options:-

  • Gain access to your account by finding your Apple ID and resetting the Password
  • Provide the original purchase receipt from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller, then the lock can be removed.


How to remove activation lock on iPad without Apple ID and password?

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