How do I lock an iPad I don't have access to?

Question

Level 1

8 points

How do I lock an iPad I don't have access to?

I can't go into specific details as to the reasoning for this question, but essentially, I want to know is there a way to render an iPad unusable that isn't reversed by simply entering the screenlock passcode?

The iPad is registered in my name, and my email address is the Apple ID. I do not have possession of the iPad, but the person that does is refusing to return it to me. I'm wary about reporting it stolen to the police, as it was bought as a gift, and technically isn't stolen. The person I bought it for rarely uses it, and it is primarily used by someone else. The person that mainly uses it is refusing to let the person it was bought for return it to me. (There is a link between the 3 of us by the way, so as I said, it isn't actually stolen, but just being withheld by someone that doesn't own it)

I have access to the icloud account as it's set up in my name. But on there, it seems if I do the lost my ipad function, it is unlockable by entering the screenlock passcode, meaning this option isn't really suitable. I want to render the iPad useless to the other person, but not completely wipe or lock it so it's not of any use to me when I do get it back.

Thanks.

iPad 2

Posted on Jun 5, 2016 11:42 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 5, 2016 12:20 PM in response to Barneylfc

As long as nobody else knows your AppleID password so cannot access your iCloud account, what you could do is remote erase it. DO NOT remove it from your list of iCloud tracked devices. once the remote erase occurs, the only way to use it will be to active it, which cannot be done without knowing your AppleID password to get past activation lock. The device will be useless to anyone without your password.

Of course, all the content on it will also be gone, and unrecoverable if there is not an iCloud or iTunes backup available.

P.S. Nothing you do remotely, other than remotely wiping it, will stop someone with the screen lock passcode from getting in. The iCloud web interface lets you set a passcode if there was not one but does not let you change one if one is already in place. As long as whomever has it knows the passcode, there is nothing you can do remotely to stop them from using it, other than erasing it but leaving activation lock in place.

For example, the simple way to disable a "lost mode" lock is to just swipe to unlock and enter the screen lock passcode.

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Answer 2

Esquared

Level 6

12,415 points

Jun 5, 2016 11:49 AM in response to Barneylfc

You can unlock it afterwards:

If you remove the device from your account after you erase it, Activation Lock will be turned off. This allows another person to activate and use your device.

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple Support

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Answer 3

TMHahn

Level 2

460 points

Jun 5, 2016 11:58 AM in response to Barneylfc

You'll want to change the password regardless, so THEY can't log into iCloud.com and undo what you've done or change the password themselves!

Go to iCloud.com and mark the device as "Lost." As Esquared stated, you can unlock it after you get it back. The only problem I foresee is, I *think* the other party can still unlock it in "Lost" mode if they have the 4 or 6 digit passkey.

Check out Esquared's link, If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple Support. It shows a screenshot of what it looks like in Lost mode. It will display your phone number asking the person to call you. That might force them to communicate with you.

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Answer 4

Barneylfc Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 5, 2016 12:04 PM in response to TMHahn

I am in communication with the person that has it. They are just refusing to give it to me. I have a friend who is a police officer and he said as I bought it for a gift, it is a civil matter between myself and the person that has it. They do know the passcode, so it looks like my only option is blocking it completely.

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