Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

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

Activation lock problems

An iPad 3rd generation was not used for a few years. Now the owner wants to use it. When he starts it up it asks for the Id and password that he used when he first set it up. Since he could not remember the original password he went through the process of setting up a new one. The problem is that the activation lock is expecting the old password he used which he does not remember . I know from experience that Apple keeps track of the old passwords so you don’t reuse them. Is it possible he can get the old password that he used to set up the iPad ? With his permission, I used his Id and new password to log into his account. His iPad is not listed. I logged into his iCloud and it’s not there either. When he tries to activate it with his new password, it says he can’t use it, it wants the original. Is it possible that Apple remove the activation lock for him ?

Posted on Jul 8, 2020 9:20 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 8, 2020 10:14 PM

Perhaps this may help: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365


If you are locked out of your Apple ID account you can go to https://iforgot.apple.com

This will provide you with the recovery steps you put in place for this situation.


Here are some support articles that should help:

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support

If your Apple ID has been locked or disabled – Apple Support

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 8, 2020 10:14 PM in response to TeddyGag

Perhaps this may help: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365


If you are locked out of your Apple ID account you can go to https://iforgot.apple.com

This will provide you with the recovery steps you put in place for this situation.


Here are some support articles that should help:

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support

If your Apple ID has been locked or disabled – Apple Support

Jul 9, 2020 3:41 AM in response to TeddyGag

Creating and using a different AppleID neither helps nor resolves the problem - it merely complicates matters.


Consider also that any existing App purchases, subscriptions and services are forever and irrevocably tied to the AppleID from which the purchase was made - as is data stored in iCloud and associated device backup. Using a different AppleID cannot resolve the Activation Lock - and subsequent to restoring the device, all Apps will have been wiped. Using a different AppleID, you’ll not be able to download an Apps without making fresh purchases for each of the wanted Apps.


You should concentrate on recovery of the original AppleID - required to resolve the Activation Lock - and then, if necessary, update the account with new primary (sign-in) and secondary (recovery) email addresses and trusted phone numbers.


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

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


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 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

Jul 9, 2020 6:09 AM in response to TeddyGag

To reiterate, adding a second AppleID to this issue does not help you or the owner in resolving the issue. The iPad will not show-up within the new account as the Activation Lock remains associated with the original AppleID account.


Unless the original AppleID account has been deliberately and consciously closed, it will still exist. Similarly, unless the account was grossly neglected, or incorrectly set-up, you should be able to recover access to the account using any one of the associated secondary email addresses or telephone numbers - of which there should ideally be several of both to choose from.


If you have the original sales invoice for the iPad - that clearly shows the serial number of the iPad - then Apple Support may (i.e., no guarantees) be able to assist with the iPad. Without acceptable documentary evidence that proves ownership, to Apple’s exclusive satisfaction, they will not assist you.


So, to reuse the iPad, you need concentrate your effort in unpicking the complications that you have created in attempting to use a different AppleID (which, to the server back-end, appears to be unauthorised reuse of a potentially stolen device).


So, routes to recovery are:


a) Regain access to the original AppleID and associated Password using the directions that I have already provided. You can then you can either remove the Activation Lock from the account before Restoring the iPad or Restore the iPad and use the recovered AppleID credentials to reactivate the iPad - or,


b) Provide acceptable documentation to Apple Support.


No other alternatives exist.





Activation lock problems

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