I bought a used device, I can't do anything with it.

Question

I bought a used device, I can't do anything with it.

I bought this iPad used. the seller told me the owner of the device was his wife and she passed away. I want to make this a dedicated music device and load it with music to be used offline. How can I get the thing to work? it's hung up on some password or passcode. I downloaded itunes to a windows PC so I could restore it to factory settings and now it won't do a thing but demand a password. There's no way I can know that. So did I just pay for a delicate paperweight?, or is there a way to fix this?

iPad (3rd gen) Wi-Fi

Posted on Dec 6, 2020 3:59 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Demo

Level 10

166,747 points

Dec 6, 2020 7:13 PM in response to house-of-truth

The iPad is activation locked. If the previous owner can’t help you or won’t help you, you do indeed have a delicate paperweight. See this for what you need to do or have the owner do for you.

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

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Answer 2

LotusPilot

Level 10

302,744 points

Dec 7, 2020 11:10 AM in response to house-of-truth

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.

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community

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