Q: How can I bypass the previous owners password on my iPad?

Hi, there is no option but try to bring the iPad to a local Apple Store. The important thing is bring your receipt for the iPad, asking the Apple staff to remove the account from the iPad for you.

If you are not the original owner, then going to the Apple Store with a 2nd-hand receipt is a waste of time. They will not remove the Activation Lock of a previous owner.

GB

" I purchased my iPad very legally and ethically, thank you very much."

That doesn't mean the person you bought it from didn't steal it.  People steal electronics and sell them all the time, giving a fake story of how it was their device and they just don't want it anymore.  They get the money from you and you get a bricked device.  Only buy from reputable sellers.

RallyRex wrote:

 

" I purchased my iPad very legally and ethically, thank you very much."

 

That doesn't mean the person you bought it from didn't steal it.  People steal electronics and sell them all the time, giving a fake story of how it was their device and they just don't want it anymore.  They get the money from you and you get a bricked device.  Only buy from reputable sellers.

About a year ago, there was a spate of posters alleging that "I just found the iPad laying in the street and all I want to do is find the rightful owner."

I own two iPads. The first was a birthday gift for my husband.  He placed his apple ID upon activation as directed.  He had no idea that this would lock the device.

The second iPad was purchased from a lovely young lady from a Craigslist ad.  She stated she had purchased the ipad about a month before and did not like it.  She was an android person.  When I was meeting with the her,  I  called Apple, provided the serial number and asked if there were any issues.  The Apple rep at first seemed to find my question a little odd.  She proceeded to ask me if I wanted to purchase Apple Care.  The iPad would qualify for another two weeks. 

I declined.  But, I did take comfort knowing that the purchase timeline seemed to check out.

The iPad worked beautiful for my son for over a year.  We finally got around to updating the software version for him a couple of weeks ago.  When it completed, it asked for an activation code...sign in and password..  No idea.  My husband tried his.  No good.  We were shocked when we found that the iPad had been left usless by the update.

Its almost a year later.  I have no trace of the seller's contact info.  We are just out of luck and can in no way afford a new iPad now.  My husband was so concerned, he deleted the icloud account from his iPad.

I believe this security ptotocal was done with the best of in tensions.  However, is hurts the innocent more than the thrives.  I can understand if someone reports theris as lost or stolen.  In that case, one should not be able to access the device.  And, if Apple wants to lock users out, they should be required to make whatever changes are necessary to track that.

For future reference, if you are purchasing a 2nd hand iDevice, be sure to follow these instructions to ensure that the device has been properly prepared for resale, and is no longer Activation Locked:

How do I check for Activation Lock before purchasing a used device?

When purchasing an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from someone other than Apple or an authorized Apple reseller, it is up to you to ensure that the device has been erased and is no longer linked to the previous owner’s account.

You can check the current Activation Lock status of a device by visiting icloud.com/activationlock from any Mac or PC.

Or you can follow the steps below to make sure that you can use the device you purchase:

1. Turn the device on and slide to unlock.
2. If the passcode lock screen or the Home screen appears, the device hasn't been erased. Ask the seller to completely erase the device by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch until it's been erased.
3. Begin the device setup process.
4. After choosing a language, choosing a country, and connecting to a network, the device will begin activation. If you're asked for the previous owner’s Apple ID and password, the device is still linked to their account. Hand the device back to the seller and ask them to enter their password. If the previous owner isn't present, they can remove the device from their account by signing in to icloud.com/find. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch until it has been removed from the previous owner’s account.

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” during the device setup process.

Here is a link to the entire support article FYI:

Find My iPhone Activation Lock - Apple Support

Best of luck,

GB

Since the number of bricked iPads sitting on my desk is growing (returned corporate owned assets from staff who have separated), we found a simple solution. We now issue a Surface Pro 3 instead of an iPad.

It's too late now that you changed but the solution was given earlier. Withhold their final paycheck until they erase all personal data and the iPad is set up as new.

my dad forgot EVERYTHING

he forgot what his email is

forgot all the password

and what more the birthday that he put down on the apple id is WRONG

I m stuck

That will work until MS institutes an Activation Lock program. I would think a corporation would have staff smart enough to know they could take the proof of purchase to the Apple Store (with a Genius Bar appointment) and have them clear the Activation Lock. Or does the corporation you work for not keep documentation/invoices/purchase orders for devices they buy?

sherlockphones wrote:

 

Since the number of bricked iPads sitting on my desk is growing (returned corporate owned assets from staff who have separated), we found a simple solution. We now issue a Surface Pro 3 instead of an iPad.

That's a management problem, not a tech problem.

sherlockphones wrote:

 

Since the number of bricked iPads sitting on my desk is growing (returned corporate owned assets from staff who have separated), we found a simple solution. We now issue a Surface Pro 3 instead of an iPad.

So because you failed to properly manage your devices or are too lazy to properly secure the corporate iPads correctly, this is an Apple issue?

My company issues iPads to employees all the time, you know how many iPads have returned unusable since Activation Lock was instated last year?

Exactly 0.  All Corporate owned iPads have a corporate assigned Apple Id and iCloud Accounts, and employees are not allowed to set their own iCloud accounts on them Why because they do not own the devices. The company does. 

sherlockphones wrote:

 

Since the number of bricked iPads sitting on my desk is growing (returned corporate owned assets from staff who have separated), we found a simple solution. We now issue a Surface Pro 3 instead of an iPad.

An IT expert would have contacted personnel and had the final paycheck held pending resolution of the corporate owned assets.

nathanfromearth wrote:

 

my dad forgot EVERYTHING

he forgot what his email is

forgot all the password

and what more the birthday that he put down on the apple id is WRONG

 

I m stuck

If your dad doesn't know his own birthday, yes you're stuck.

sherlockphones wrote:

 

Since the number of bricked iPads sitting on my desk is growing (returned corporate owned assets from staff who have separated), we found a simple solution. We now issue a Surface Pro 3 instead of an iPad.

So you spend twice as much to get 1/2 the amount of usable products?

When is the bankruptcy hearing?