iPad Apple refusing to remove Activation lock on legit device

[Bjojade]

Has anyone had the misfortune of taking a mis-step in getting a device unlocked?

Case scenario, 2 year old iPad pro that was used for a business that ended up being shut down. Owner of the iPad no longer had access to the phone number or email associated with the AppleID, and the employee that set it up doesn't remember the password. Resetting the AppleID password isn't an option. iPad is still locked with FindMy.

So, we started an unlock request with Apple. Submitted the forms they asked, but the request was rejected. Contacted Apple, and they wouldn't tell us what was wrong with the submission, but said to submit it again. Submitted again, and it was rejected. Calls again to Apple, and they suggested that the proof of purchase was not the right document, as it was the sales order, not the sales invoice. The rep wasn't 100% sure if that was the problem with the document, and couldn't say for sure, but was just guessing.

The iPad was purchased online from Best Buy, so we contacted best buy, got a copy of the sales invoice and started another request for activation lock reset. Submitted the supposed right paperwork, but now Apple is denying the unlock request because there have been too many requests on that serial number, and no future Activation locks will be accepted, ever. We've been told there's absolutely nothing we can do, and now the iPad is a $1000 useless brick.

Any other alternatives to regain access to this hardware??

 

[Digitalguy]

Oh man I can't believe Apple is so terrible with these things. Such a waste...

 

[ericwn]

I’d have a conversation with someone in customer relations and see where outlining my frustration would lead us.

 

[*~Kim~*]

So that’s two failed requests only prior to the one they’ve refused with the duplicate paperwork from Best Buy, the second of which was only done on the basis that it was advised by their employee?

I’d be taking it to one of the consumer people in the papers I think, who intervene with the company on behalf of the people who write in (assuming you have something similar in the US.) After double checking that the paperwork Best Buy have given is in order, displaying the correct serial number, confirming that Apple’s third rejection was spurious (otherwise go back to BB first to get what you asked for.) The iPad hasn’t been replaced under warranty at any time has it, as that would have a different serial number and need a document to link the originally purchased device to the replacement?

If Apple are going to put a hard limit on the number of activation lock requests, they should tell the user exactly why a request has failed, then a second would never be submitted until the issues were rectified. I understand they are trying to prevent unauthorised use, but a thief would never produce the paperwork to Apple’s satisfaction anyway. If an iPad was stolen, activation locked and subsequently recovered, the rightful owner could theoretically end up with a brick if the thief had attempted to have it unlocked with faked documents.

 

[laptech]

Yes it is frustrating that Apple is no longer willing to help but the fault lies with the person who registered the ipad. Owners of Apple devices have become too ignorant to the fact of how important passwords and ID's are when it comes to Apple devices. For too long now we constantly hear stories of 'I cannot remember any of my Apple login details' and then they complain when Apple is not willing to help.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

It’s a catch-22 situation. Yes, they require STELLAR resources to bypass their security. And if that were my iPad that you stole and were trying to unlock - I’d be glad for it! (Purely from a schadenfreude point of view, of course).

Bought by a business, business is shut down, email doesn’t work, phone number doesn’t work… that’s gonna be a tough one to prove. You may just have to consider the iPad a casualty of the business closing, and recycle it.

 

[cwosigns]

Has anyone had the misfortune of taking a mis-step in getting a device unlocked?

Case scenario, 2 year old iPad pro that was used for a business that ended up being shut down. Owner of the iPad no longer had access to the phone number or email associated with the AppleID, and the employee that set it up doesn't remember the password. Resetting the AppleID password isn't an option. iPad is still locked with FindMy.

So, we started an unlock request with Apple. Submitted the forms they asked, but the request was rejected. Contacted Apple, and they wouldn't tell us what was wrong with the submission, but said to submit it again. Submitted again, and it was rejected. Calls again to Apple, and they suggested that the proof of purchase was not the right document, as it was the sales order, not the sales invoice. The rep wasn't 100% sure if that was the problem with the document, and couldn't say for sure, but was just guessing.

The iPad was purchased online from Best Buy, so we contacted best buy, got a copy of the sales invoice and started another request for activation lock reset. Submitted the supposed right paperwork, but now Apple is denying the unlock request because there have been too many requests on that serial number, and no future Activation locks will be accepted, ever. We've been told there's absolutely nothing we can do, and now the iPad is a $1000 useless brick.

Any other alternatives to regain access to this hardware??

Who is we in this scenario?

 

[Puonti]

Any other alternatives to regain access to this hardware??

Alternatives to Apple's official channels? No.

 

[d5aqoëp]

Sell it for parts