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

Thank you to everyone who has replied so fast, I really appreciate all the responses.

I agree Find my iPad/iPhone is a great security feature and I have it enabled on all my devices. I also agree that for it to work well there can't be any areas of weakness... but saying that, it is a fact it is going to annoy a LOT of people buying second hand iPads/iPhones where the previous owner hasn't removed it from their account. Maybe a website so you can check if a device is linked to another account would be a good halfway house? At least that way you can check before you buy a second hand iPad/iPhone that it is not locked in any way.

I think I am just going to return the iPad, buy a replacement and then set up my Uncle's Apple ID myself. I think I am also going to turn Restrictions on and make it so he cannot edit any accounts on his devices

Once again, thanks to all who have responded so quickly.

Jamie Kelly wrote:

 

Maybe a website so you can check if a device is linked to another account would be a good halfway house? At least that way you can check before you buy a second hand iPad/iPhone that it is not locked in any way.

 

Like this?

http://www.icloud.com/activationlock

I tend to lean toward the Ebolafone, I tried to tell the new owner that he should send it to the CDC.

Yes, EXACTLY like that!

Although it won't help my Uncle (as it's his Apple ID that he has forgotten), it is definitely a great halfway house!

Thanks for the heads-up Meg, much appreciated

Jamie Kelly wrote:

 

Thank you to everyone who has replied so fast, I really appreciate all the responses.

 

I agree Find my iPad/iPhone is a great security feature and I have it enabled on all my devices. I also agree that for it to work well there can't be any areas of weakness... but saying that, it is a fact it is going to annoy a LOT of people buying second hand iPads/iPhones where the previous owner hasn't removed it from their account. Maybe a website so you can check if a device is linked to another account would be a good halfway house? At least that way you can check before you buy a second hand iPad/iPhone that it is not locked in any way.

 

I think I am just going to return the iPad, buy a replacement and then set up my Uncle's Apple ID myself. I think I am also going to turn Restrictions on and make it so he cannot edit any accounts on his devices

 

Once again, thanks to all who have responded so quickly.

Give my best to your uncle.  I went through something similar and I hate to tell you the things that I did while somewhat incapacitated.

Csound1 wrote:

 

I tend to lean toward the Ebolafone, I tried to tell the new owner that he should send it to the CDC.

Glad it helped! It's relatively new and a great tool.

how do I unfollowi this?

Tap the blue checkmark at the top of the page.

Give my best to your uncle.  I went through something similar and I hate to tell you the things that I did while somewhat incapacitated.

Thanks Philly_Phan. Today I placed the iPad into DFU Mode, restored it then switched it off and placed it back in the box to be returned to Apple.

Funny thing is, it's a refurbished 64GB iPad 3 (Lightning port) that he bought for £339. For £359 he is buying a brand new 32GB iPad Air 1 which will be much better for him - lighter and easier to handle.

Jamie Kelly wrote:

 

Give my best to your uncle.  I went through something similar and I hate to tell you the things that I did while somewhat incapacitated.

 

Thanks Philly_Phan. Today I placed the iPad into DFU Mode, restored it then switched it off and placed it back in the box to be returned to Apple.

 

Funny thing is, it's a refurbished 64GB iPad 3 (Lightning port) that he bought for £339. For £359 he is buying a brand new 32GB iPad Air 1 which will be much better for him - lighter and easier to handle.

Cheers!

Jamie Kelly wrote:

 

I think my last resort is to just return the iPad under the 14 day no quibble return policy and then buy a replacement, but this is definitely a major issue.

Someone else may may have answered this the same way, already, but I'll jump in ... :-) ...

IF ... you are able to return the iPad under the 14-day return policy ... THEN ... you can easily have Apple simply reset the iPad to its original condition for you, so you can start over, and do it right this time around.

That would be my course of action if I were in your situation.

nathanfromearth wrote:

 

how do I unfollowi this?

Since you're not going to follow this thread anymore, does this mean you solved your problem? Of course, you may have already unfollowed this ... in which case you won't get it ... :-) ...

Star Traveler wrote:

 

Jamie Kelly wrote:

 

I think my last resort is to just return the iPad under the 14 day no quibble return policy and then buy a replacement, but this is definitely a major issue.

 

Someone else may may have answered this the same way, already, but I'll jump in ... :-) ...

 

IF ... you are able to return the iPad under the 14-day return policy ... THEN ... you can easily have Apple simply reset the iPad to its original condition for you, so you can start over, and do it right this time around.

 

That would be my course of action if I were in your situation.

Apple will refund the sale, they will not reset the iPad.

It's not up to Apple to assure that you - an educated and intelligent buyer - performs due diligence.