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Factory Reset

I let someone borrow my iPad and they changed the apple ID and password to their own. How can I do a factory reset without having their information?

iPad mini Wi-Fi

Posted on Jul 31, 2022 7:15 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 31, 2022 8:05 AM

Therein lies the problem. You are now locked-out due to an Activation Lock associated with the AppleID of the person to whom you loaned your iPad. Insofar as the Activation Lock is designed to protect the iPad from unauthorised reuse by someone else, you are now unable to access or use the iPad.


Unless you can independently obtain assistance from the owner of the AppleID that currently secures the iPad, the iPad is (and will remain) 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, 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.



Here is what Apple suggests when acquiring or purchasing a previously used device. In context of this quoted text “buy” applies equally to re-acquiring your own iPad after allowing anyone else to use your iPad with a different AppleID:


Check for Activation Lock before you buy a device from someone else


Before you buy an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, from someone other than Apple or an authorized Apple reseller, make sure that the device is erased and no longer linked to the previous owner’s account. Follow these steps to check if the device is ready to use: 

  1. Turn on and unlock the device. 
  2. If the passcode lock screen or the Home screen appears, the device hasn't been erased. Ask the seller to completely erase the device by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch until it's been erased.
  3. Begin the device setup process.
  4. If you're asked for the previous owner’s Apple ID and password, the device is still linked to their account. Hand the device back to the seller and ask them to enter their password. If the previous owner isn't present, contact them as soon as possible and ask them to use a browser to remove the device from their account. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch until it has been removed from the previous owner’s account.

You will know that a device is ready for you to use when you're asked to "Set up your iPhone," “Set up your iPad," or “Set up your iPod” the first time you turn it on.

9 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 31, 2022 8:05 AM in response to Peace-Dragonfly

Therein lies the problem. You are now locked-out due to an Activation Lock associated with the AppleID of the person to whom you loaned your iPad. Insofar as the Activation Lock is designed to protect the iPad from unauthorised reuse by someone else, you are now unable to access or use the iPad.


Unless you can independently obtain assistance from the owner of the AppleID that currently secures the iPad, the iPad is (and will remain) 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, 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.



Here is what Apple suggests when acquiring or purchasing a previously used device. In context of this quoted text “buy” applies equally to re-acquiring your own iPad after allowing anyone else to use your iPad with a different AppleID:


Check for Activation Lock before you buy a device from someone else


Before you buy an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, from someone other than Apple or an authorized Apple reseller, make sure that the device is erased and no longer linked to the previous owner’s account. Follow these steps to check if the device is ready to use: 

  1. Turn on and unlock the device. 
  2. If the passcode lock screen or the Home screen appears, the device hasn't been erased. Ask the seller to completely erase the device by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch until it's been erased.
  3. Begin the device setup process.
  4. If you're asked for the previous owner’s Apple ID and password, the device is still linked to their account. Hand the device back to the seller and ask them to enter their password. If the previous owner isn't present, contact them as soon as possible and ask them to use a browser to remove the device from their account. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch until it has been removed from the previous owner’s account.

You will know that a device is ready for you to use when you're asked to "Set up your iPhone," “Set up your iPad," or “Set up your iPod” the first time you turn it on.

Jul 31, 2022 7:49 AM in response to Peace-Dragonfly

Peace-Dragonfly wrote:

I failed to mention that the iPad is locked so I can’t get into settings.

The problem is how do we know you did not steal the iPad and are now trying to unlock it. Maybe visit an authorized service center with the iPad and its original purchase receipt.

The easiest way would be to contact the borrower and ask them how they managed to change the credentials to theirs then ask them for their credentials so that you can unlock it.

Jul 31, 2022 8:18 AM in response to Peace-Dragonfly

Unless you can secure help from whoever owns the AppleID that now secures your iPad, you will need to find your purchase receipt.


With the original sales invoice, Apple will likely help you if they are satisfied that you are the original owner; possession of the original invoice, that clearly shows the serial number of the iPad, is reportedly adequate to demonstrate legitimate ownership.

Factory Reset

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