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How can I unlock an apple id without the email or security questions?

My little sister's iPad had my mom's old apple id on it, and my mom lost access to her old email that was part of the apple id. I tried to remove the apple id from the iPad because my mom didn't have access to her email, she couldn't remember the password, and my sister wanted new games but I had no luck because somehow the apple id was locked. I don't know what happened for it to lock and my sister and mom don't remember. Now, my sisters iPad is under an activation lock with my mom's old locked apple id. A few months ago my mom did end up finding the password to the apple id, but even then we can't obtain access to it because she still doesn't have access to her old email account, which is being used as a security measure. Obviously, after I realized there was no hope trying to unlock the apple id with her old email I tried having her answer the security questions. There was no luck because she couldn't remember the answers. My two options are hopeless, and my now my sister is without entertainment and she is not happy. Can someone please help?

iPad mini Wi-Fi

Posted on Mar 23, 2021 1:44 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 23, 2021 1:50 PM

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, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. With documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple may be prepared to assist - otherwise they and nobody here will be able to help you.


If you have the necessary documentation, Apple have recently introduced a new portal though which you may be able to request release of an Activation Lock:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support & start an Activation Lock support request.


However, you should be able to recover the AppleID credentials without assistance...


If you have forgotten your AppleID or associated password, these can be recovered here:

https://iforgot.apple.com/


To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to any 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/


There is one last (remote) possibility for obtaining help; contact the Apple Security Team:

Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security – Apple Support

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1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 23, 2021 1:50 PM in response to clownspiel

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, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. With documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple may be prepared to assist - otherwise they and nobody here will be able to help you.


If you have the necessary documentation, Apple have recently introduced a new portal though which you may be able to request release of an Activation Lock:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support & start an Activation Lock support request.


However, you should be able to recover the AppleID credentials without assistance...


If you have forgotten your AppleID or associated password, these can be recovered here:

https://iforgot.apple.com/


To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to any 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/


There is one last (remote) possibility for obtaining help; contact the Apple Security Team:

Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security – Apple Support

How can I unlock an apple id without the email or security questions?

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