User profile for user: salt_chess08
salt_chess08 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Deleted Apple ID, Now Stuck in Activation Lock Loop – Need Help!

Hey everyone, I’m in a weird situation and hoping someone has advice. I deleted my Apple ID but forgot to sign out of my iPad first. Now, when I try to restore it, it asks for the Apple ID password—but when I enter it, it says the account doesn’t exist.



I contacted Apple and they responded saying, “This device doesn’t have Activation Lock enabled.” But my iPad still asks for the old Apple ID. I can’t log in or bypass it.


Has anyone dealt with this before? Is there any way to fix it? if i put the device in a recovery mode, whould I be able to reset it without any issues?


*NOTE: THE IPAD IS FULLY WORKING BUT I CAN'T UPDATE ANY APPS.


Thanks in advance!

iPad Pro (3rd generation)

Posted on Mar 29, 2025 12:20 PM

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User profile for user: Mac Jim ID
Mac Jim ID
User level: Level 8
39,281 points

Mar 29, 2025 12:26 PM in response to salt_chess08

You will not be able to update any app that was previously downloaded with the deleted Apple Account. You can only delete the app and download it again with the new Apple Account. That would explain why after restoring it is asking for that Apple Account, because it is trying to redownload those apps.


What Apple Account is currently signed into your device at Settings > [name on top]?

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User profile for user: salt_chess08
salt_chess08 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Mar 29, 2025 12:42 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

the apple accout now is the deleted one, i tried to log out but it says the account doesn't exist.


I am currently able to use the iPad, as most of the apps are working, but my fear is that in the future when those apps need an update, the ipad will become useless.

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User profile for user: Mac Jim ID
Mac Jim ID
User level: Level 8
39,281 points

Mar 29, 2025 12:56 PM in response to salt_chess08

Even though Apple said Activation Lock has not been turned on, if you have the original purchase receipt I would still follow the steps here that should remove the account from your device. All data on the device will be erased and you will be unable to restore from a backup.

https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support

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User profile for user: salt_chess08
salt_chess08 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Mar 29, 2025 1:11 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

I went over the process, Apple said that


” Your request to remove Activation Lock has been reviewed. 

This device doesn’t have Activation Lock enabled.”


unfortunately I don’t have the receipt for the iPad, but I have a receipt for an iPhone 16 pro that was using the same iCloud account that I deleted

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Deleted Apple ID, Now Stuck in Activation Lock Loop – Need Help!

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