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amfareed

Q: i bought used iPad mini and after retoring it..it asks for activation...and i don't know the previous owner...i bought it online

hi

Today i bought used ipad mini...when i tried to restore it it asked for the apple password of the previous owner (who i don't know)..so i restored it from the recovery mode....and now i can't activate the device...as it asks for the previous owner ID and password

I bought the device online...so it will be almost impossible to know the previous owner

please help

Thanks

iPad, iOS 7.0.2

Posted on Oct 4, 2013 6:50 AM

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Q: i bought used iPad mini and after retoring it..it asks for activation...and i don't know the previous owner...i bought it online

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  • by snozdop,Helpful

    snozdop snozdop Oct 4, 2013 6:55 AM in response to amfareed
    Level 5 (5,810 points)
    Oct 4, 2013 6:55 AM in response to amfareed

    If the previous owner did not correctly wipe the device before selling it to you, and you have no way to contact the owner, then you have wasted your money.

     

    This is a security feature to prevent stolen devices from being wiped and re-activated by thieves.

     

    Always buy from legitimate sources, and make sure the previous owner has correctly wiped the device before parting with your money.

  • by amfareed,

    amfareed amfareed Oct 4, 2013 6:59 AM in response to snozdop
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Oct 4, 2013 6:59 AM in response to snozdop

    is there is any way to know the previous owner apple ID? the only hope is to send him email....and wait....no other idea how to contact him

  • by snozdop,

    snozdop snozdop Oct 4, 2013 7:03 AM in response to amfareed
    Level 5 (5,810 points)
    Oct 4, 2013 7:03 AM in response to amfareed

    Did you buy from this person directly, or through a second-hand store? Try asking the store.

     

    There's no way to find out the AppleID of the previous owner after it has been restored.

  • by amfareed,

    amfareed amfareed Oct 4, 2013 7:07 AM in response to snozdop
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Oct 4, 2013 7:07 AM in response to snozdop

    second hand store unfortunately...already contacted them...but they don't know the previous owner

    that mean I am stuck with a deactivated device

  • by snozdop,

    snozdop snozdop Oct 4, 2013 7:10 AM in response to amfareed
    Level 5 (5,810 points)
    Oct 4, 2013 7:10 AM in response to amfareed

    I'm afraid so.

     

    The second-hand store should not really have sold you this device knowing it could not be used.

     

    I would take it back to them and demand a refund, as they are selling something that is not fit for purpose. And also, it could even be a stolen device.

  • by Jim3000,

    Jim3000 Jim3000 Oct 4, 2013 10:27 AM in response to snozdop
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 4, 2013 10:27 AM in response to snozdop

    Ive got almost the same problem,  Ive been using a iphone5 for 6 months, then upgraded to io7.  now i have to enter someone id and password, I dont have a clue who's it is.  So left with a bricked device.  Apple are *****

  • by snozdop,

    snozdop snozdop Oct 4, 2013 10:34 AM in response to Jim3000
    Level 5 (5,810 points)
    Oct 4, 2013 10:34 AM in response to Jim3000

    How is it Apple's fault?

     

    If you've been using this iPhone for 6 months, surely it must be your AppleID and password you need to enter. Surely you haven't been using a phone for 6 months still with the previous owners details signed in to it?

  • by juddlee,

    juddlee juddlee Oct 15, 2013 11:07 AM in response to amfareed
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 15, 2013 11:07 AM in response to amfareed

    Here's what you need to do. First plug the iPad mini into your computer. When you get the message about iTunes not being able to access the iPad because it's password protected, press and hold the power button and home button at the same time. Hold these buttons down all the way through the reboot until the apple goes away. After that you should a graphic of a USB cable and the iTunes symbol. When you see that release the buttons. Close out of the error message in iTunes. You should now be able to restore and update your iPad mini and set it up as a new device, or even restore it from your backup if you have one.

  • by snozdop,

    snozdop snozdop Oct 15, 2013 2:42 PM in response to juddlee
    Level 5 (5,810 points)
    Oct 15, 2013 2:42 PM in response to juddlee

    That does not work in iOS 7. Please update your knowledge.

  • by juddlee,

    juddlee juddlee Oct 16, 2013 9:39 AM in response to amfareed
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2013 9:39 AM in response to amfareed

    I just did this 5 minutes ago. I do this roughly 200 per week. Unless the iPad is reported as stolen you will have no problems. Thanks snozdop for all your help guy...

  • by amfareed,

    amfareed amfareed Oct 16, 2013 10:20 AM in response to juddlee
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Oct 16, 2013 10:20 AM in response to juddlee

    I tried this.....didn't work...the ipad asks for the original Apple ID and password of the previous user

  • by Clyde77,

    Clyde77 Clyde77 Oct 16, 2013 10:21 AM in response to amfareed
    Level 4 (2,765 points)
    Oct 16, 2013 10:21 AM in response to amfareed

    ypu have to have their appleid and password.  sorry

    Peace, Clyde

  • by Clyde77,

    Clyde77 Clyde77 Oct 16, 2013 10:23 AM in response to juddlee
    Level 4 (2,765 points)
    Oct 16, 2013 10:23 AM in response to juddlee

    you may do that with however many on ios6 but you havent done any with ios7 and a icloud find my device still signed in.

    Peace, Clyde

  • by snozdop,

    snozdop snozdop Oct 17, 2013 2:55 PM in response to juddlee
    Level 5 (5,810 points)
    Oct 17, 2013 2:55 PM in response to juddlee

    You didn't do this on an iOS 7 device, which is what the OP has.

     

    As I said, update your knowledge. You're severely out of date.

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