How to register a used iPad

If by "registered," you mean that the previous owner's Apple ID is still assigned to it, then you will need to contact that previous owner to have them remove it. Unless they do, this iPad will be useless to you.

If you can get a hold of them, provide them with this support article so they can remove their ID:

• What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch - Apple Support

You purchased a user activation locked iPad.

You need the previous owner to remove this lock.

Failing this, there is NO WAY to remove the activation lock without the help of the previous owner of the Apple device.

If you have no clue about the previous owner of this iPad, then there is nothing more to be done.

That iPad is a dead, useless device to you.

No on here can help you.

Apple will NOT help you!

If this was a purchased device, attempt to return it and get your money back from where it was purchased.

Failing that, please properly and responsibly recycle this device.

Is no longer a usable device!

Sorry.

If you decide to go down the path of purchasing used, secondhand Apple devices, here is how to avoid purchasing an Apple iOS/iPadOS device with user activation lock, in the future.

If you purchase any iPad, or any Apple iOS device, for that matter, 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 sold 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!

Short answer: you can’t. Long answer: you cannot. An iPad can only be unlocked by its original owner and so, if you’re unable to contact the original owner, there’s absolutely nothing you can do.

Imagine if you were the original owner, and you lost it - would you want the finder to be able to be able to unlock it…? Can’t you see it would be a serious security risk if just anyone could unlock your iPad…? Furthermore, if it’s a TouchID or FaceID model, if it was possible, how do you think you’d do It without having the original owner physically in front of you…?

There is no such thing as registration of Apple devices.