How can I reset an iPad with an email that is no longer existing?

Step 1: Contact your legal department to see if the following is allowable for your org/region.

Step 2: Recreate the email address

Step 3: Visit https://iforgot.apple.com to start the password recovery process

Step 4: Use the password recovery process to reset the password

Step 5: Reset the device

If your legal team says no, the employee set up security questions, or the employee set up two factor authentication, then you may need to try the following:

1. If the device is in Apple Business Manager, you can simply call AppleCare for Enterprise and tell them the issue. They can assist with unlocking it.
2. If the device is not in Apple Business Manager, you will need to look for the original purchase receipt. If you can find it, you can visit https://al-support.apple.com/#/getsupport and start the recovery process.

In the future, you should ensure that all org devices are managed by an MDM platform that has Activation Lock Bypass capabilities. Kandji, Jamf, and Mosyle are popular options that support this feature.

If the company owned devices are not centrally managed by an MDM platform - 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 Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows 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.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

AppleID

You may also need your AppleID and associated password. If these have also been forgotten, they can be recovered here:

https://iforgot.apple.com

To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:

• Your primary email address mailbox that corresponds with your AppleID
• Any of the secondary/recovery email addresses that should be configured for your AppleID account
• Any of the trusted telephone numbers (fixed line or Cellular/Mobile) that are associated with your AppleID

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:

https://appleid.apple.com