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Locked iPad issue

I have an iPad that I have my 86-year-old dad. He doesn't remember the passcode, and doesn't have the email account that he originally used to create an Apple ID. Is there any way to restore this iPad and make is useable?

iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi

Posted on Mar 15, 2021 10:46 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 15, 2021 10:47 AM

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:

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


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 15, 2021 10:47 AM in response to Mark Allison

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:

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


Mar 15, 2021 10:55 AM in response to LotusPilot

I don't know any 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


My father no longer has the same email address or phone numbers.

Mar 15, 2021 11:01 AM in response to Mark Allison

The AppleID account is intended to be updated through its life - as primary and secondary email addresses inevitably change - as do [trusted] telephone numbers.


If none of this information has been maintained, even if you don’t trigger an Activation Lock, you’ll not be able to disable it in an attempt to prevent future issues and account lockout.


I hope you have the original sales receipt that shows the serial number, as without any of the account information, acceptable proof of original ownership is going to be the only possibility that you’ll have in being able to recover use of the iPad...

Locked iPad issue

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