If you bought a secondhand iPad that is locked how can you unlock it.

The iPad is likely useless to you.

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

Mzing Said:

"If you bought a secondhand iPad that is locked how can you unlock it."

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What to do:

I. You Need to Contact the Seller:

Whomever the seller is, they need to log themselves out of this, if not your account.

II. Where was this Purchased?

A. Online?:

If this was purchased online (i.e. eBay) then contact the site, seeing if the seller can be held accountable and if you can get your money back.

B. In-Person?:

If this as purchased in person, then there may be nothing you can do but contact them, asking for your money back.

C. At a Retailer?:

If purchased at a retailer, take it back, asking what your options are for a return.

Or...

D. From Apple?

If purchased from Apple, then contact Apple Support.

Contacting Apple Support:

• Contact Us - Choose Locations
• U.S.A. (800)MY-APPLE
• Proceed from there as necessary

Note: Phone calls are taking a bit to go through at the moment, due to lots of calls. With the Coronavirus Pandemic, many are at home at the moment, with much time on their hands to contact Apple. So, just stay on the line, and you will get through :)

You don't.

Attempt to try and return this device and get your money back.

This iPad is a dead, useless device to you.

No one here can help you. Apple WILL NOT help you.

Failing a return and refund of your money, please properly recycle this device responsibly.

You will never get this iPad to work for you.

Sorry.

To avoid user activation lock on a purchased, used, secondhand device in the future,

If you purchase any iPad used/second hand, online, or even in-person, make sure this iPad does NOT have user activation lock and has been properly reset for sale.

A properly reset for sale iPad should initially power up to an animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen.

DO NOT take the iPad seller's word that this iPad is user activation lock free,

We have seen plenty of used iOS device purchasers get scammed.

User Activation Lock can never be bypasss, circumvented or worked around IF there is no correct previous/original user information to be able to do so.

Apple doesn't get involved with ANY user activation locked, used/second-hand devices, either.

So, buyer beware.

If purchasing a used device in-person, power the iPad ON

If the iPad DOES NOT display the initial animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen, then pass on purchasing this iPad.

If the iPad powers up to any other screen, then forget purchasing this iPad.

You cannot trust that the seller actually has the correct needed info to properly reset the iPad back to factory settings right then and there before the actual purchase and exchange of money for the iPad, in question.

Pass on the device.

If you are purchasing this used iPad online ask the seller to provide multiple images, either online or be sent to you via email, showing this animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen of the interested in purchasing iPad model.

Even better, ask for a short video be sent to you showing this animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen, in action and in its entirety, posted to the online ad or emailed to you.

If the online iPad seller refuses any of these requests, pass on the iPad. DO NOT buy.

Sorry & Good Luck to You!