I have an old ipad2 that has been unused for some years and want to clear it to donate, but attached apple id is a long disused email address and no longer recognised by apple (I have a new Apple id) so I am unable to turn off ‘Find my ipad’ or do a Factory reset. Any suggestions as it would seem such a pity to have to smash it to pieces?
iPad 2, iOS 9
Zinkyzonk wrote:
I have an old ipad2 that has been unused for some years and want to clear it to donate, but attached apple id is a long disused email address and no longer recognised by apple (I have a new Apple id) so I am unable to turn off ‘Find my ipad’ or do a Factory reset. Any suggestions as it would seem such a pity to have to smash it to pieces?
The email address may no longer be in use, as you have stated, but it might still be a valid Apple ID. I understand that you might not be using it because you are using another Apple ID nowadays. You might even have forgotten the password to the old unused Apple ID. See this to try recover it: If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support
If you do recover it, then you can proceed with your plan of factory-resetting it, etc.
Otherwise, if it is possible for you to manually delete the data on it ... like photos/contacts/etc. do so and then either give it to Apple for recycling or to your friend. It would be better than disposing it in the garbage and it finding its way to some landfill.
You need to be aware that very old first generation iPad2 can only be updated to iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models) or iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular models).
Apple ended update support for iPad2 in September 2016. Your iPad cannot be updated to iOS 10 or later major versions of iOS as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements for new versions of iOS/iPadOS. This limitation cannot be bypassed; iPad2 is a 32-bit architecture device, whilst all recent versions of iOS/iPadOS are designed for 64-bit hardware platforms. iPad2 is effectively obsolete.
Compatible Apps for your iPad are increasingly difficult to find. All compatible 32-bit Apps have been withdrawn from the Apple App Store. As older compatible versions of Apps have been removed from the App Store, you’ll not be able to (re)download or (re)install them - which will severely limit the usefulness and utility of your iPad if you should you ever, as now, need to reset or restore your iPad.
As such, if you (or to whoever receives your donated iPad) wants or needs to access most current Apps, requiring more recent versions of iOS, the iPad will be of little use unless replaced with a newer or current model.
We also receive regular reports of re-activating iPad2 devices post-reset. This issue alone may make the iPad unusable.
Your best route to decommissioning the iPad, wiping all data, is to follow this procedure:
What to do before you sell, give away or trade in your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support
I hope this information provides helpful and succinct clarity as to your available options - and the limitations of your current iPad. Most here would recommend that your return the obsolete iPad to an Apple Store - where precious materials can be recovered and recycled. Apple offer this recycling service at no cost.
Thank you for your prompt reply. I understand the limitations of the old ipad and it was my intention to give it to a child of a friend as an introductory screen device. I am unable to clear it as it is locked to an unsupported apple id and thus I can’t do the normal Factory reset and I am unwilling to hand it over when it contains contacts, photos etc. If it cannot be wiped then I guess I will just have to break and bin it.
Zinkyzonk wrote:
Thank you for your prompt reply. I understand the limitations of the old ipad and it was my intention to give it to a child of a friend as an introductory screen device. I am unable to clear it as it is locked to an unsupported apple id and thus I can’t do the normal Factory reset and I am unwilling to hand it over when it contains contacts, photos etc. If it cannot be wiped then I guess I will just have to break and bin it.
If your iPad is disabled, or you have forgotten your iPad passcode, you’ll need to follow this process:
If you’ve forgotten the passcode on your iPad, or your iPad is disabled – Apple Support
You’ll need access to either a PC (with iTunes installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS).
You’ll also need your AppleID and associated password. If these have also been forgotten, they 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:
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:
If you intend to reuse the iPad with a different AppleID, you would be well advised to prepare it properly for reuse - as this will ensure that the Activation Lock associated with the original AppleID is removed, along with all data and other sensitive information:
What to do before you sell, give away or trade in your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support
Factory reset of old ipad
