How do you erase an iPad associated with an iCloud account

Question

How do you erase an iPad associated with an iCloud account

We have a number of institution iPads that were assigned to staff members. When a staff member leaves, we wipe the device so we can reissue it to a replacement or another member of staff.

In the past this has been no problem through Settings > General > Erase. In some scenarios we have had to do the force erase by holding down the home button and then plugging into a computer to force the recovery state and wipe it with iTunes, and that worked fine until recently.

Now, trhe device erases, but on restart we are getting messages saying that the iPad was previously associated with an iCloud account and that a password has to be entered in order to activate the device. The staff member who used the iPad is no longer employed here. So, how do we get around this? How can we wipe the iPad and not have to enter a password to their personal Apple ID? Can it be done?

FYI, I have read this: http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4515 and it does not solve the problem.

Thanks,

iPad 2, iOS 7

Posted on Mar 14, 2014 11:51 AM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

182,674 points

Mar 14, 2014 11:57 AM in response to jonathanwylie

There is no way you can get around the Activation Lock without the relevant Apple ID and password. The article from which you came gives you the only options. If you can't reach the former employee and get them to remove the lock, then your only hope is to contact Apple Support. If you provide proof that the institution purchased and owns the iPad, there may be something they can do, though I've not been able to confirm that.

For future systems, I'd suggest that before you issue an iOS device to an employee, you set up iCloud/Find My iPhone with a company-controlled Apple ID so that you can remove the lock and erase the device without needing the cooperation of the employee. Apple Configurator and various MDM solutions make this easier to manage. Or you verify that the iOS device has been erased and the lock released before the employee is allowed to check out and receives his/her final paycheck.

Regards.

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Answer 2

Mar 14, 2014 1:58 PM in response to jonathanwylie

Read the links below. The previous user should do this when turning in the iPad.

What to do before selling or giving away your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5661

Find My iPhone Activation Lock: Removing a device from a previous owner’s account

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4515

Buying or Selling a Used iPhone or iPad Running iOS 7? Read This First!

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/buying-or-selling-a-used-iphone-running-ios-7-read- this-first/

iCloud: Find My iPhone Activation Lock in iOS 7

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5818

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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Answer 3

Mar 17, 2014 11:32 AM in response to Texas Mac Man

Yeah, I have seen all these links before. None of them help in this specific scenario. If the previous owner no longer works for our compnay, and cannot be contacted to unlock the iPad/remove from iCloud...then what? A bricked device? Surely Apple must have some way of overriding this with serial numbers and proof of purchase.

I now know how to avoid it in the future - but I still need a solution for the devices I already have that are locked.

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Answer 4

varjak paw

Level 10

182,674 points

Mar 17, 2014 12:22 PM in response to jonathanwylie

The only possible solution is, as I said previously, to contact Apple Support and see if they can help. There is no way you can get past the Activation Lock yourself without the cooperation of that former employee.

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