iPad Pro Eyes open for a second hand buy ...

[StrollerEd]

Is there any way to tell a device's history with Apple?

A 'good price' is being offered for a s/h [edit: wifi only] iPad Pro (2017) in my local city for inspection, purchase and collection. The coconut battery check shows minimal use for device manufactured in January 2018. The seller makes use of iCloud with his AppleID, and says he can demonstrate log-in.

However, the seller is in a bind as not the original purchaser and has neither box nor receipt but was given this by a family member.

Clearly I can back out of this, but the price is a good one relative to the AppleStore refurb price - albeit that gives much more by way of assurance of provenance, battery, case & warranty.

Any advice on how to progress? In particular, what could the seller do to assure me of provenance?

 

[velocityg4]

It it is a WiFi only model. Just be sure the passcode is removed and that the iCloud account is removed. Those are both necessary for the device to be used by you. Then do a factory reset, connect to WiFi and let it activate. Then you should have nothing to worry about. That I'm aware of.

Check the sold (not currently for sale) prices on eBay for used models. If the price is too good to be true...

If it is an LTE model. The only certain way is through Apple or a phone carrier directly. It can be all good now then one month or twenty months later the IMEI can get blacklisted by the carrier if it turns out payments were being made on it and the owner stopped. The carriers won't give you this info and everything will seem fine until it happens. Although the risk of this is low if bought through power seller on eBay with excellent ratings. Although this may not be an issue with unlocked Apple devices.

 

[960design]

Is there any way to tell a device's history with Apple?

Not that I know of.

Any advice on how to progress? In particular, what could the seller do to assure me of provenance?

Have the user tap Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
Once the device restarts connect to a WiFi you control ( phone hotspot for example ). Then precede to Setup the iPad as new device. Skip adding iCloud account, passcode, etc. The main point is that you just want to get back to a blank device with default icons.

During the process of Setup iPad as New Device be on the lookout for the DEP ( device enrollment profile ) screen. If you do not see it, no worries, if yes the device must be removed from DEP as well.
Summary info:
https://www.apple.com/business/site/docs/DEP_Guide.pdf

What you DO NOT want to see while going through the default setup screens.

 

[StrollerEd]

All good stuff, thanks.

I also asked 'Is there any way to tell a device's history with Apple?', so does anyone else know how? And is there any sense in asking Apple?
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It it is a WiFi only model.
If it is an LTE model. The only certain way is through Apple or a phone carrier directly. It can be all good now then one month or twenty months later the IMEI can get blacklisted by the carrier if it turns out payments were being made on it and the owner stopped. The carriers won't give you this info and everything will seem fine until it happens. Although the risk of this is low if bought through power seller on eBay with excellent ratings. Although this may not be an issue with unlocked Apple devices.

Thanks, it is wifi only.

 

[velocityg4]

No, Apple won't give you any information. the only thing you can do is look to see if it's connected to an iCloud account in the settings app.

 

[AutomaticApple]

All good stuff, thanks.

I also asked 'Is there any way to tell a device's history with Apple?', so does anyone else know how? And is there any sense in asking Apple?
[doublepost=1560256465][/doublepost]

Thanks, it is wifi only.

Sadly, no.