hi! hello I bought a used ipad air from a thrift store w/receipt only to find out the device was lock w/ activetion lock?

Return it and get your money back.

If this iPad is user activation locked to some unknown Apple ID, then this iPad is a dead, useless device to you.

You will never get this iPad to work for you.

No one here can help you. Apple will NOT help you!

Let your local thrift store know they shouldn’t accept any Apple personal electronic devices that are locked to a previous user.

Never purchase used Apple iOS devices from thrift stores, local auctions, flea/antique markets, tag/lawn/garage sales.

Sorry & Good Luck!

Without the Apple ID and Password of the original owner, you will never be able to use the device. See if you can return for your money back. Read this ....

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

soccksargen wrote:

is there any option other than returning the item?

Yes. You can choose to responsibly recycle it, too.

Activation Lock is a theft deterrent.

If Activation Lock were easy to bypass, it wouldn’t be a deterrent.

No.

Sorry.

If you need/want an iPad with an up to date iPadOS with access to current, updated apps, then you really need to seriously consider a new iPad model OR a much, MUCH “newer” and less expensive, used iPad models, from better known, trusted Apple product/device retailers/resellers, either local or online, that are capable of running the latest iPadOS versions.

There are plenty of newer, older iPad models that can run the latest, current versions of iPadOS.

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!