trouble signing in to my dads apple account on my ipad even though i dont remember adding it?

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trouble signing in to my dads apple account on my ipad even though i dont remember adding it?

Where do i begin... i plugged in my iPad after a while of it not being on, starts up, enter my passcode, all is well, i go to update an app, and for some reason its asking for my dads apple id? Long forgotten... I've contacted apple support to try and reset the passcode, email and mobile both get the security code to put in, that works, but it still says the account is locked, and i need to contact apple support, or they will contact me in 24 hours... hope that works... however, what can i do to not have his account on the iPad? i cant seem to find anywhere in the settings saying his account is anywhere, im signed in to the app store and settings through my account not his so why is it asking me? im going to assume when i got the iPad i must have been underage and dad used his email to set it up... dont exactly need that now im older :P. what do i do here other than delete everything and start fresh? if i DO need to delete everything and start fresh, wouldn't that just ask me for his account again anyway? putting me in ANOTHER situation where im actually kind of panicking thinking a) ive lost dads account and wont be able to reset it for some reason or another. b) i cant do anything with the ipad because everything needs updates, making it just a notepad and camera pretty much. c) im going to go to format the ipad, which it will do, but it will ask me for the credentials AFTER to verify the old owner wants to get rid of it or something.... mildly worried, please help

iPad, iPadOS 16

Posted on Oct 15, 2025 6:55 AM

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Answer 1

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Limnos

Community+ 2026

Level 10

430,703 points

Oct 15, 2025 7:15 AM in response to bluekeybord

The device should have been properly wiped before you started using it. What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support However, you may indeed need to sign in with his information. You can try to ignore this step but you may ultimately encounter a time when you get locked out of the device entirely. Erasing the data on the iPad will not do the same things as properly resetting it as instructed in the article.

An alternative to resetting the device as described above is to have Apple do it. Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Read the requirements and steps for an Activation Lock support request at: https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says you need to have "proof of purchase documentation” and “proof of ownership documentation”, but does not detail what currently constitutes proof other than it “must include the product serial number, IMEI or MEID.” User reports on this community indicate that typically Apple will ONLY accept an original receipt issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller. Presumably this is the only kind Apple can authenticate against fraud since Apple is not involved in third party sales. Apple recommends that you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support

If Apple resets the device this will give you access to the device but won't restore access to the account used to set up Find My. There is nothing that can be done to expedite an Activation Lock request.

To address the issue at hand, any app that was downloaded using his account should be deleted and downloaded with your account. That's why you get a prompt for his account information.

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Answer 2

bluekeybord Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 15, 2025 8:58 AM in response to Limnos

well, im fairly certain my mum bought me the ipad first hand, not sure what store from though, more than likely big-W (australian store) we may have thrown the box and recipts out ages ago as well which sucks... or they might be in the attic... anyway, not too sure ill go down the route of apple resetting it, that sounds like a major way for me to screw things up further knowing my luck... if i per chance cant get the password reset, would i just be better off leaving it as is (i checked, only a few apps seem to need updating, most of which i could just get on my phone and the rest i wont use much unless my phone is dead anyway) and getting a new ipad from store, starting fresh and hopefully not being told to sign in to his account again, i seriously dont know why im panicking so much over this, one thing i am worried about alot is ive forgotten the passcode, not the lock screen pin, but the ipad passcode whatever that is... there is a random code saved under his account in notes from 2020 but i doubt thats it... also just checked on that last statement, yes, if i try to download a new app, i get MY account that it asks for, thank you, saves my heart a lil... i dont want to try and delete any apps just yet for fear i wont be able to get them back... thank you for your reply!

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Answer 3

Oct 15, 2025 9:05 AM in response to bluekeybord

The main passcode with which I am familiar is the lock screen one. There's also one for Screen Time if you use it. Read this support article for instructions on what to do if you forgot your Screen Time passcode --> If you forgot your Screen Time passcode - Apple Support

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trouble signing in to my dads apple account on my ipad even though i dont remember adding it?

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