I have an older iPad and for some reason, it now requires me to Activate it. The iPad had on old email address that I setup 12 years ago. It has an old number tied to it for verification. How do I get the Activation LOCK, UNLOCKED? I cannot get to the old phone number and now I cannot use my ipad. Argh.
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:
To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:
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:
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:
To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:
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:
I cannot reasonably speculate as to what triggered the Activation Lock - the reason is now largely immaterial to your current predicament. However, if your iPad is as old as your might suggest, the iPad will be an obsolete device for which functional support will no longer be available.
With regard to your trusted phone numbers, you should always aim to have several - be they fixed landline and/or cellular/mobile. Likewise, keeping your account recovery details up-to-date is necessary account maintenance - for which it’s importance comes into sharp focus in situations such as these.
If you don’t recall your AppleID and associated password - and if none of your configured recovery methods are available for use - then you have a problem that neither you or we can resolve.
Your only remaining option is to directly contact Apple Support for assistance. You will find the Contact Support link at top-right of this page.
I’m sorry that we cannot provide a more immediate solution.
I don’t have access to the “trusted” phone number. I changed it years ago. I do not understand why I have had my iPad for years and all of a sudden Apple locks me out and requires Activation.
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
