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Our company assigned an iPad to an employee shortly before COVID 19 closure in 2020. A few months later, the employee resigned. Returned the iPad but used his own Password and Passcode. Claims not to remember any of these so now our company is left with a brick. Is there anything we can do? We do not have the receipts anymore. Thank you.
iPad Pro 10.5-inch, Wi-Fi
If the devices are not centrally managed by an MDM platform or registered with Apple Business Manager - and you permit your staff to configure the device with their own (possibly private) account credentials to set-up and use devices - there is a very real risk that you’ll lose the ability to access or use the device if the employee forgets their Passcode or AppleID credentials.
Similarly, if the staff member were to leave your employment without properly unlocking the device, as a business you might totally lose access to (and use of) the unmanaged device. If you don’t have robust exit procedures, this is a real risk.
If the device is disabled or Activation Locked, you will require your original purchase documentation that proves ownership - usually the sales invoice. Documentation must clearly show the Serial/IMEI number of the device. With this documentation, Apple may at their absolute discretion assist with unlocking.
An iPad passcode cannot be recovered, reset or modified from another device.
iPadOS 15.2 or later with a forgotten Passcode
Apple has introduced a new procedure with which to reset an iPad or iPhone with a forgotten Passcode - allowing you to use your AppleID and associated Password to reset your device.
How to reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when you forgot your passcode - Apple Support
You will be able to restore data from a pre-existing iCloud backup without the use of a computer, but will require a PC/Mac to restore data from an iTunes backup.
iPadOS 15.1 and earlier - and all devices that are Disabled
If your iPad is disabled, or you have forgotten your iPad passcode, you have no alternative other than to follow this process:
If you’ve forgotten the passcode on your iPad, or your iPad is disabled – Apple Support
You’ll need access to either a PC (with iTunes installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS).
Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support
Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support
Use of a PC or Mac is unavoidable. If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. Alternatively, the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store will be delighted to assist.
AppleID
You may also need your AppleID and associated password. If these have also been forgotten, they can be recovered here:
To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:
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:
If the devices are not centrally managed by an MDM platform or registered with Apple Business Manager - and you permit your staff to configure the device with their own (possibly private) account credentials to set-up and use devices - there is a very real risk that you’ll lose the ability to access or use the device if the employee forgets their Passcode or AppleID credentials.
Similarly, if the staff member were to leave your employment without properly unlocking the device, as a business you might totally lose access to (and use of) the unmanaged device. If you don’t have robust exit procedures, this is a real risk.
If the device is disabled or Activation Locked, you will require your original purchase documentation that proves ownership - usually the sales invoice. Documentation must clearly show the Serial/IMEI number of the device. With this documentation, Apple may at their absolute discretion assist with unlocking.
An iPad passcode cannot be recovered, reset or modified from another device.
iPadOS 15.2 or later with a forgotten Passcode
Apple has introduced a new procedure with which to reset an iPad or iPhone with a forgotten Passcode - allowing you to use your AppleID and associated Password to reset your device.
How to reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when you forgot your passcode - Apple Support
You will be able to restore data from a pre-existing iCloud backup without the use of a computer, but will require a PC/Mac to restore data from an iTunes backup.
iPadOS 15.1 and earlier - and all devices that are Disabled
If your iPad is disabled, or you have forgotten your iPad passcode, you have no alternative other than to follow this process:
If you’ve forgotten the passcode on your iPad, or your iPad is disabled – Apple Support
You’ll need access to either a PC (with iTunes installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS).
Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support
Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support
Use of a PC or Mac is unavoidable. If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. Alternatively, the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store will be delighted to assist.
AppleID
You may also need your AppleID and associated password. If these have also been forgotten, they can be recovered here:
To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:
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:
Get live expert assistance by contacting Customer Support by phone or chat:
If you remember WHERE it was bought you can probably obtain a copy of your invoice. Make sure it has the serial number on it.
Thank you. Will do.
You’re welcome and good luck! 👋🏼😎
Need to Unlock Company-issued iPad
