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.

IPad mini activation locked

I bought a iPad from a lady and she told me to just reset it and it would work. But it’s not working it has an activation lock I contacted her and she does not remember the email or the password. What can I do


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Jul 27, 2020 6:06 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 28, 2020 8:14 AM

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, 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 still able to contact the original owner from whom you purchased the iPad - the following information may be helpful to them to assist you with removing the Activation Lock...


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:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support


More information about recovery of your AppleID password:

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


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

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 28, 2020 8:14 AM in response to Angelica_23

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, 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 still able to contact the original owner from whom you purchased the iPad - the following information may be helpful to them to assist you with removing the Activation Lock...


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:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support


More information about recovery of your AppleID password:

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


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 27, 2020 6:26 PM in response to Angelica_23

Nothing.

Without the aid of the original owner/user of this iPad, you will never, EVER get this iPad to work for you.

No one here can help you and Apple will not help you, either.

This is a dead, useless device to you.

If you can, return this iPad and attempt to get your money back, if you can.

If no joy with a return and refund, please, recycle this device responsibly.

You'll never get this iPad to ever work for you.


Next time, If you need an iPad, then, you need to purchase a new iPad from Apple or a discounted, refurbished iPad from Apple’s Refurbished & Clearance section of Apple’s Website or a new or refurbished iPad from an Apple authorised, third party retail or online reseller OR other trusted sources for new or used Apple products.


If you must purchased used devices from unknown sources, untrusted sources, you must ask A WHOLE LOT more questions of the iOS device seller, and turn on the iPad to see if the initial iPad animated Welcome screen appears, that indicates a properly reset iPad, ask for more photo/images, ask if the iPad has user/iCloud activation lock and ask for photos/images/short video proof, ANY POSTIVE VISUAL PROOF, that such an iPad has been reset factory settings and shown proof of the iOS device's start up screen showing the animated, moving, multi-language “Hello” Welcome to iPad screen.

If the iOS device seller is unwilling to do all of this, pass on the iOS device and look at other iOS device sellers.



Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

IPad mini activation locked

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