My Ipad has an old Apple ID attached to it. How do I find the password to an Apple ID that is no longer active?

It's called an "activation lock." It's an anti-theft mechanism. It makes the iPad/iPod/iPhone worthless to a thief. Having said that, there are issues faced by legitimate owners. In those instances, Apple will remove the lock if AND ONLY IF the owner provides a government photo ID and incontrovertible proof (i.e., proof that will hold up in court) that he/she is the owner. This proof must be trackable back to the original owner.

If an Apple Store is convenient, make an appointment with the resident "Genius." Otherwise, you must ship the device to Apple. To make arrangements, call 800-275-2273 in the U.S.A. and I think Canada.

If you set up a brand new Apple ID, then the method I described above is what you need to do. Apple IDs never die, they just fade away 😁

Are you getting the message asking for your password to turn off Find My iPhone? So, the old email address is signed into iCloud on the iPad?

If so,

If you EDITED the old email address on your Apple account, and changed the ID to that same account to the new ID, then you need to do the following:

1. Go to the Manage your Apple ID link, sign on with your current Apple ID email address and password, and change the Apple ID back to the old email address. This is temporary. Do NOT verify the email address, do NOT change the password

2. Type in your current Apple ID password where you are being prompted for the password

3. Once you have access to the device, go to Settings>iCloud, scroll to the bottom and sign out the old ID from iCloud. Type in the current Apple ID password when prompted

4. Go back to Manage your Apple ID, sign in with the old Apple ID and the current password and change your Apple ID back to the new email address. You may have to verify it again

5. Go back to Settings>iCloud and sign in your new Apple ID to iCloud

Cheers,

GB

Go to Manage your Apple ID, click on Reset Password, type in the old Apple ID. Then answer the Security Questions. If you do not remember your password, contact Apple Support to have them reset:

Manage your Apple ID: Apple - My Apple ID

Apple Support: ACCOUNT SECURITY CONTACT

Best of luck,

GB

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support