You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Activation lock on iPad

Recently, my iPad (which I own) underwent a software update. The “activation lock” screen popped up, and it won’t take my current Apple ID, and I don’t remember what it was when I set up my iPad. Is there a way around this? Or is my device, which I bought and is paid for, completely useless?


Thanks!

iPad Pro 11-inch Wi-Fi, Cellular

Posted on Jun 22, 2020 8:16 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 23, 2020 5:47 AM

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

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201441


As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, or unless you can secure the cooperation of the previous owner, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. Without documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple won’t assist - and nobody here will be able to help you.


If you are the owner of the AppleID that previously activated the device - and 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 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:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201354


More information about recovery of your AppleID password:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201487


When you recover access to your credentials, you would be well advised to log-in to your AppleID account from a web browser - and verify/update any email addresses and trusted telephone numbers:

https://appleid.apple.com


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 23, 2020 5:47 AM in response to Asileiram

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

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201441


As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, or unless you can secure the cooperation of the previous owner, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. Without documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple won’t assist - and nobody here will be able to help you.


If you are the owner of the AppleID that previously activated the device - and 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 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:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201354


More information about recovery of your AppleID password:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201487


When you recover access to your credentials, you would be well advised to log-in to your AppleID account from a web browser - and verify/update any email addresses and trusted telephone numbers:

https://appleid.apple.com


Jun 22, 2020 8:17 PM in response to Asileiram

Hello,


The iPad is locked with Activation Lock. There is no way around unlocking Activation Lock without inserting the device’s associated Apple ID. If this is not an option you will have to find the original receipt for the device that clearly shows the serial number. Once you have this document you will need to take this document and iPad into an Apple retail location.


Activation Lock

Activation lock on iPad

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.