How can I unlock a second-hand iPad mini?

Bought a second hand mini iPad on eBay thinking it was unlock but it isn’t. Now can’t get my money back. I’ve just read all the issue with people who pay second hand devices that it is no used, is it really until now we still can not find a solution for it. I really can’t believe eBay can do this helping people who don’t own stuff sell as their own. Sorry just getting irritated, been robbed by someone lost my iPhones 12 long time not sure if someone gonna sell it on eBay just like this one I’m pretty sure this mini iPad I got from eBay got stolen also.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Sep 16, 2024 3:55 PM

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4 replies

Sep 16, 2024 4:11 PM in response to Krsita

You seem to know your position with this unfortunate situation. If you are going to buy a used device you have to do it in person and make sure the person is doing all the things in this support article --> What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


I think I have seen people say something about applying to Ebay about this kind of thing, but I haven't bought anything on Ebay in 6 years, and certainly not anything worth stealing. I could see it would be hard for them to determine if a device was stolen. They cannot see it. So in this scenario it really is buyer beware, unfortunately. I would automatically presume anything being sold is stolen unless you can meet the in person and make sure they have disabled Find My at least.


Sep 16, 2024 4:27 PM in response to Krsita

Having had your own device stolen, you may well have bought somebody else’s stolen device.


Either avoid buying from sellers that can easily disappear, or require a massive discount on the price to make up for the purchasing risks.


Buying from sellers that can’t disappear, or that have an escrow, or from Apple authorized resellers or Apple of course, is more reliable.


The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a used iPad/iPhone - Apple Community


Lots of purportedly-Apple pieces and parts being sold are counterfeit, too.


Sep 16, 2024 8:40 PM in response to Limnos

Limnos wrote:

MrHoffman wrote:

Lots of purportedly-Apple pieces and parts being sold are counterfeit, too.

I believe Apple is now starting to deal with that and are featuring activation lock on individual components too.


I was referring to counterfeit “AirPods” and “Apple” cables and such, but yes, the latest updates mean Activation Lock now requires the original Apple Account to release the locks placed on specific iPhone and iPad internal parts as part of repairs.


Non-genuine parts have been widely available of course, which then causes some discussions around here about warning messages about displays and batteries.

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How can I unlock a second-hand iPad mini?

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