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Second hand locked Ipad

I bought a second hand locked Ipad, now I can not get in touch with the former owner, what can I do to unlock it? I have a receipt that he wrote for me with model number, date of buy, the price and his signature.


iPad Air, iOS 12

Posted on Jan 15, 2022 12:41 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 15, 2022 12:54 PM

If you are talking about "activation lock" (an anti-theft measure), neither we, just users like you, nor Apple can help you, sorry, unless you are the original owner and you still have the proof of purchase (receipt/invoice reporting your device’s IMEI or Serial Number). Should be this case, start your request using this link: https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support


Shouldn’t be this case, activation lock can be removed only by the previous owner, with the credentials that were used to activate that iPhone/iPad. Without those credentials, that device is useless to you.

You can also take a look at this support article:--> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

Regards

Giulio

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 15, 2022 12:54 PM in response to TJ_2022

If you are talking about "activation lock" (an anti-theft measure), neither we, just users like you, nor Apple can help you, sorry, unless you are the original owner and you still have the proof of purchase (receipt/invoice reporting your device’s IMEI or Serial Number). Should be this case, start your request using this link: https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support


Shouldn’t be this case, activation lock can be removed only by the previous owner, with the credentials that were used to activate that iPhone/iPad. Without those credentials, that device is useless to you.

You can also take a look at this support article:--> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

Regards

Giulio

Jan 15, 2022 9:59 PM in response to TJ_2022

TJ_2022 Said:

"Second hand locked Ipad: I bought a second hand locked Ipad, now I can not get in touch with the former owner, what can I do to unlock it? I have a receipt that he wrote for me with model number, date of buy, the price and his signature."

-------


Simply, Return This:

Seems you were scammed (though a full-assumption, on my part). So, take this up with the seller, requesting a return. If they do not accept it, then you may be out of luck.


Where was this Purchased?

However. if purchased off of a Website (i.e. eBay), contact the site, seeing if the seller can be held accountable, and if you can get your money back. They should have known better, and used this link, prior to selling it: What to do Before you Cell, Give Away, or Trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support. If they do not sign out of it, then it is useless to you.

Jan 15, 2022 9:28 PM in response to TJ_2022

You own a completely dead and useless device.


Sorry.


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!


Second hand locked Ipad

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