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Dear Apple, my name is Rodion and I'm a retailer of second-hand electronics.
I officially purchased 25 used iPads (I have an invoice) from the colleges and universities. They are all unlocked and in good working condition, but they have still attached to the ex-owners and can't pass the activation lock after being wiped and reset.
Can you please help to remove the activation lock on iPads? I will provide all the information needed.
If the iPads are disabled or Activation Locked, unless you can independently obtain assistance from the previous owner, the devices are (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.
If legitimately obtained from an educational institution or business, they will need to remove the applied management profiles from the devices and remove them from the associated MDM platform - before you will be able to prepare them for reuse.
Here is what Apple suggests when purchasing previously used devices:
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:
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.
If the iPads are disabled or Activation Locked, unless you can independently obtain assistance from the previous owner, the devices are (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.
If legitimately obtained from an educational institution or business, they will need to remove the applied management profiles from the devices and remove them from the associated MDM platform - before you will be able to prepare them for reuse.
Here is what Apple suggests when purchasing previously used devices:
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:
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.
Removing the activation lock on iPad
