Inherited iPad rendered useless by activation lock

[Reason077]

A man whose mother bequeathed her iPad to her family in her will says Apple's security rules are too restrictive.

Since her death, they have been unable to unlock the device, despite providing Apple with copies of her will, death certificate and solicitor's letter.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26448158

 

[mobilehaathi]

You'd think she would have included her password(s) in the will.

 

[rhett7660]

You'd think she would have included her password(s) in the will.

That was my first thought too!!!!!

Well hopefully there wasn't anything too important on the device.

 

[roadbloc]

You'd have thought Apple would have been able to unlock it for them. Too bad I guess.

 

[elistan]

You'd have thought Apple would have been able to unlock it for them. Too bad I guess.

They're certainly ABLE - they reset iCloud passwords all the time. It's probably not clear to them that they SHOULD, however. That is, how are they to know it's not a scam?

 

[Curun]

After the Apple social engineering hack about 2 years back, they are on lockdown.

For the rest of us, thankfully so. But their are unfortunate side effects taking security policy very strictly.

 

[roadbloc]

They're certainly ABLE - they reset iCloud passwords all the time. It's probably not clear to them that they SHOULD, however. That is, how are they to know it's not a scam?

Well they did show them copies of her will... surely that would be sufficient proof, no? I guess in future we all know to provide a copy of the password in the will too.

 

[GoCubsGo]

They're certainly ABLE - they reset iCloud passwords all the time. It's probably not clear to them that they SHOULD, however. That is, how are they to know it's not a scam?

They could if the new owner shows proof that it was given to him. If this thing actually ended up in a Will then it seems rather easy to prove. Apple probably doesn't have a policy on this though, which makes it tough.

 

[Gav2k]

They need to email Tim.

 

[elistan]

Well they did show them copies of her will... surely that would be sufficient proof, no? I guess in future we all know to provide a copy of the password in the will too.

How is Apple to know that it is a legitimate will? Maybe it was forged, or maybe it's an older one before the owner got pissed and decided to give all her stuff to somebody else...?

I think Apple should reset a password only with a court order. The courts are the best entities to determine the legitimacy of a will.

 

[mobilehaathi]

How is Apple to know that it is a legitimate will? Maybe it was forged, or maybe it's an older one before the owner got pissed and decided to give all her stuff to somebody else...?

I think Apple should reset a password only with a court order. The courts are the best entities to determine the legitimacy of a will.

It isn't exactly difficult to prove it is real.

It seems to me the executor should be contacting Apple though.

 

[Gav2k]

**update**

Since publication, Apple has acknowledged it misunderstood the request to unlock the device. The company has now restored the factory settings. It maintains a court order would be needed to access the iCloud.

Source bbc news