restarted device locked by an unknown apple ID. please help

Well, it's an iPad 3. Since I can't pull any more info from the iPad because of the activation lock, there's not much I can tell you about it.

As for Find My iPad, I myself set that up, so maybe the grey market thing may be possible to some extent. It's still baffling and incredibly frustrating, given that I literally just updated this to 9.3.1 from 9.1 last night.

Another thing worth noting is that the iPad 3 has this problem despite being bought completely new, in the box, with all its original accessories and such, while I also happen to own an iPod Touch 5 which I bought without its original packaging and only the charger and Lightning cable. And that one was updated to 9.3.1 without any of this BS. How does this somehow happen?

Naeem Moiz wrote:

after restarting the device, is showing that it's linked to an unknow apple ID (8.....@qq.com).the device it's unusefull and locked to this screen.

Please help me

Did you purchase this device new from Apple or an authorized reseller? If so, contact Apple and, with a copy of your receipt, they will unlock it for you. If you are not the original owner of the device, there is nothing anyone can do to help you.

I have same problem!! purchased my ipad from Hong Kong official website in 2012. Updated ios 2 days ago and my ipad is now locked by an unknown apple id kxxxx@1xxxx.com!!!

spent whole day with Apple Support today, but they cannot find my invoice back in 2012. And they said they cannot help me to unlock without presenting the original invoice!!!

But my apple id shows this device is linked to my id!!! But support says "that doesn't count only icloud's apple id counts" as ownership proof!!! I am helpless! I mean this is apple's security issue and my icloud is hacked but they refused to help!!!

I really don't know what to do !!!

So ridiculous they want me to check my 2012 credit card statements to proof i purchased this ipad! Who would keep such records???

"Maybe you can call your bank to check?" they said. I don't even remember which credit card i used!!!! The weirdest part is they can check serial number of this ipad is linked to my apple id, yet they said that "doesn't count" ! I really don't understand what counts!!!

I have been using iphone and ipad since their first production. This is truly disappointing. I wish someone here can help, or RIP ipad.

Hi. Unfortunately this has been reported before. Apparently some Chinese maker is selling cloned iPads with valid Apple serial numbers. When the new owner activates his device, it hijacks your ownership. You could try taking this up with Apple at a higher level, where they may aware of the situation.

It looks like I was just guessing with my previous post, though it still seems likely to me. Here id apple 5*****@qq.com not my account, please help me are a lot of related items on the same topic.

Did you get it used?

If you just bought it, return it now. It can't be unlocked.

Did you get a fix? I am having a really simiar problem but locked to 1*****@qq.com also not my apple ID.

Any luck with this?

Who was the authorized reseller? Would they have a record of your purchase? Do you have the original receipt?

What is the model number?

It isn't hard at all to reseal a box. Do you have the model number of the iPad from your box?

Yeah, the model is A1416.