iPad iPad-3 Owner died - Just need to erase and re-purpose

[Tesla1856]

Not sure if this goes here, or section for iOS-9.x (as high as this iPad-3 goes).

My elderly mother-in-law passed away. There is nothing in her iCloud Account or Email that we need.
I just need to completely erase her old iPad (so another family-member can use it, or so we can recycle it).

No-one knew her Passcode/Pin, Apple-ID Password, or answers to her Security Questions.
By the time they got me involved, the Account was Locked.
Passcode-Lock is OFF, so its not needed to reach the HomeScreen (you can look around a bit).

I had to resort to using the Rescue email (sent to my sister-in-law's email and she Forwarded it to me).
I reset her Password. I un-locked the Account.
I got her iCloud email working (nothing we need)
Most importantly, I was able to Turn-OFF "Find My iPad".

I signed-out the iCloud Account (and deleted associated local data).
Finally, I go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
But it's asking for 4-digit Passcode/Pin (and we don't have it).
I tried 3 different pins with no success.

I am so close, but this little project is still un-finished.
What are my options now ? (Remember, I just need to completely erase it)

 

[EmlynDewar]

Could you not just put it in DFU mode and restore it this way?

 

[Tesla1856]

Could you not just put it in DFU mode and restore it this way?

Can't say I've ever actually connected any iDevice directly to my Mac-Mini (I just use iCloud) and I've certainly never used DFU-Mode, but I would try it if you think it will allow me to just erase it completely (without the current Passcode/Pin). I don't need or want to Restore anything.

 

[Tesla1856]

I see on the Passcode-Lock screen, you can make it erase itself after 10 failed attempts.

Isn't that what I want?

If it erases itself this way ... is the iDevice in the same state as if someone had been able to successfully manually execute a "Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings" procedure ?

 

[VineRider]

Try turning on find my on the iPad. Then log in to iCloud.com on another computer with the iCloud credentials for the iPads account and then go to find my via iCloud.com. Select the iPad and erase device.

 

[kitKAC]

Can't say I've ever actually connected any iDevice directly to my Mac-Mini (I just use iCloud) and I've certainly never used DFU-Mode, but I would try it if you think it will allow me to just erase it completely (without the current Passcode/Pin). I don't need or want to Restore anything.

Putting it into DFU mode will let you completely wipe the device without needing to know the passcode.

I see on the Passcode-Lock screen, you can make it erase itself after 10 failed attempts.

Isn't that what I want?

If it erases itself this way ... is the iDevice in the same state as if someone had been able to successfully manually execute a "Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings" procedure ?

After each wrong attempt, you'll be asked to wait longer and longer before you get the chance to try again. It could take days.

 

[Tesla1856]

1. Putting it into DFU mode will let you completely wipe the device without needing to know the passcode.

2. After each wrong attempt, you'll be asked to wait longer and longer before you get the chance to try again. It could take days.

1. Cool. So, it won't mess-up any of my real iCloud stuff and real iDevices on my Mac-Mini? I don't want this DFU project to change or sync with my real-stuff in any way.

2. It's a special option at the very bottom of Passcode Options. I'm already up to 6 attempts and it's not making we wait for anything.

 

[kitKAC]

1. Cool. So, it won't mess-up any of my real iCloud stuff and real iDevices on my Mac-Mini? I don't want this DFU project to change my real-stuff in any way.

2. It's a special option at the very bottom of Passcode Options. I'm already up to 6 attempts and it's not making we wait for anything.

1. It won’t touch any of your other devices or any of your iCloud stuff. All that happens is that your Mac detects the iPad is in DFU mode, it’ll download iPad OS for that model and it’ll restore the device.

2. Interesting, maybe it’s got a version of iPadOS that doesn’t have rate limiting yet? You can keep going and if the iPad doesn’t wipe, you can still DFU it later.

 

[Tesla1856]

1a. It won’t touch any of your other devices or any of your iCloud stuff.

1b. All that happens is that your Mac

1c. detects the iPad is in DFU mode, it’ll download iPad OS for that model and it’ll restore the device.

2. Interesting, maybe it’s got a version of iPadOS that doesn’t have rate limiting yet? You can keep going and if the iPad doesn’t wipe, you can still DFU it later.

1a. Perfect. Thanks for introducing me to DFU yall. Sounds like a cool tool to have in my toolbox.
Sounds like it can do alot, but I assume it can't remove "Find My" if it's set? (I don't have that problem, just wondering).

1b. So, it has to be a real Mac right? Like, a Windows laptop running iTunes won't do it, right?

1c. Restores iOS 9.3.5 ? Or Restores to Factory Out-of-Box defaults?

2. I think so. I guess I'll just turn-on that option ... try to hack-in a few more times. When it gets to 10, it should just erase itself. Since "Find My" is already OFF, sounds like it will be completely erased (like a new one, OoB ... no locks or tied/associated to anything or anybody).

 

[Tesla1856]

Well, (best I can tell) it's not the normal Passcode stopping me (because it's currently off/un-assigned).

It's the "Restrictions Passcode" that I need before I can Erase it. Why they put Parental Restrictions on my Mother-In-Law's iPad ... I have no idea. And no, it's the common ones that start with 1 or anything else I thought to try.

I guess I'll try DFU tomorrow.

 

[JCRGH]

1a. Perfect. Thanks for introducing me to DFU yall. Sounds like a cool tool to have in my toolbox.
Sounds like it can do alot, but I assume it can't remove "Find My" if it's set? (I don't have that problem, just wondering).

1b. So, it has to be a real Mac right? Like, a Windows laptop running iTunes won't do it, right?

1c. Restores iOS 9.3.5 ? Or Restores to Factory Out-of-Box defaults?

2. I think so. I guess I'll just turn-on that option ... try to hack-in a few more times. When it gets to 10, it should just erase itself. Since "Find My" is already OFF, sounds like it will be completely erased (like a new one, OoB ... no locks or tied/associated to anything or anybody).

1b. Yes, a pc with iTunes will work for this, you don’t need a Mac.

 

[Shirasaki]

DFU mode only deals with device in question locally, but will contact Apple server to sign the iOS you can install.

As long as you don’t login to your own account on that iPad you want to erase in any way, shape or form, you don’t need to worry about your account losing anything.

Any Mac or PC with proper software installed can perform DFU. For your case, even an older Mac or PC will do the trick. Grab a PC running Windows 7 and DFU can be done just fine.

Something note about erase attempt, it is 10 for at least iOS 7, and never change to any other number, and it is still 10 on the latest iOS/iPadOS.

Regarding parental control, there are some cool restrictions you could apply in there to prevent some apps from snooping around or accessing information you are sure you won’t need. Depending on how apps are designed, you would either get no popup or get some pop ups while using said apps. That section is now migrated to “Screen Time”, including the genuine parental control portion. Unfortunately, that passcode is required during normal erase, and on older iOS, passcode protection is required. But otherwise, it doesn’t impact basic use of said device that much, depending on how many restrictions are in place.

In short, just DFU that iPad and erase it. Restriction passcode will also go away After reset.

 

[kitKAC]

1a. Perfect. Thanks for introducing me to DFU yall. Sounds like a cool tool to have in my toolbox.
Sounds like it can do alot, but I assume it can't remove "Find My" if it's set? (I don't have that problem, just wondering).

Correct, Find My survives a DFU reset intact.

1b. So, it has to be a real Mac right? Like, a Windows laptop running iTunes won't do it, right?

Already answered by others.

1c. Restores iOS 9.3.5 ? Or Restores to Factory Out-of-Box defaults?

Downloads and restores the most current iPadOS for the device.

2. I think so. I guess I'll just turn-on that option ... try to hack-in a few more times. When it gets to 10, it should just erase itself. Since "Find My" is already OFF, sounds like it will be completely erased (like a new one, OoB ... no locks or tied/associated to anything or anybody).

Since it's a restriction passcode, as @Shirasaki said, just go for the DFU option. Get the experience of doing one

 

[cyanite]

Correct, Find My survives a DFU reset intact.

Yes, although not really on the device itself (which is completely wiped), but in the sense that the device is still registrated at Apple as belonging to that account.

 

[kitKAC]

Yes, although not really on the device itself (which is completely wiped), but in the sense that the device is still registrated at Apple as belonging to that account.

Not sure what difference that makes, since you can't set up a device without an internet connection so the device can talk to Apple during the setup.

 

[HappyDude20]

I find this so interesting.

I only opened and read this thread cause it mentioned iPad 3. I’m guessing this is referring to the New iPad with the first Retina display; if so I had the same and it was great.

I personally haven’t put any device in DFU mode for almost a decade so don’t recall much on how to do it but am invested in the thread so am curious to see how it goes.

Best of luck!

 

[Larsvonhier]

We had such an unfortunate scenario a few years back and Apple support helped after we supplied them the death certificate of the previous owner plus some proof of ownership.
I'd definitely go that way again, saves time and hassle.

 

[lambertjohn]

We had such an unfortunate scenario a few years back and Apple support helped after we supplied them the death certificate of the previous owner plus some proof of ownership.
I'd definitely go that way again, saves time and hassle.

This is correct. This is the only way Apple will work with you on this situation.

 

[Tesla1856]

1. Correct, Find My survives a DFU reset intact.

2. Since it's a restriction passcode,

1. As expected (and thanks for the confirmation). Otherwise, it would be too easy to do certain things (if you know what I mean).

2. So, basically ... if you want to properly erase and re-purpose a iDevice (and you don't know the un-lock for login Passcode or the Restrictions Passcode) ... it's gonna end in a full-erase (which is how it should be).

Really appreciate yalls help. I'll try DFU now.

 

[Tesla1856]

We had such an unfortunate scenario a few years back and Apple support helped after we supplied them the death certificate of the previous owner plus some proof of ownership.
I'd definitely go that way again, saves time and hassle.

Sorry to hear that, but I too was impressed to see that Apple had made provisions for that. In our case, there is nothing important in her email or her iCloud account.

Since Rescue email worked, I was able to follow-thru and turn-off "Find-My". If it had not, I suppose I would have either needed to go DC route or just destroy the device.

Edit: Or, as @LotusLord suggests below ... take to a local Apple-Store for EoL recycling.

 

[LotusLord]

Do you have a local apple store? If so I would just take the device to them. We had a similar situation with my wife's grand mother. She had an iPad 2 which was my wife's previously. It did not have any private data on it anyway but realistically the use case for an iPad 3 at this point is basically nil so taking it to Apple they will recycle it responsibly and the any data on it will be destroyed. I work in IT so we also have a vendor we do business with that I trust that would recycle it appropriately, but they would charge.

 

[Tesla1856]

Do you have a local apple store? If so I would just take the device to them. We had a similar situation with my wife's grand mother. She had an iPad 2 which was my wife's previously. It did not have any private data on it anyway but realistically the use case for an iPad 3 at this point is basically nil so taking it to Apple they will recycle it responsibly and the any data on it will be destroyed. I work in IT so we also have a vendor we do business with that I trust that would recycle it appropriately, but they would charge.

Agreed, and good ideas.

Thing is (unfortunately) I fear this situation is likely to fall in my lap again in the future. She was just the first one to die that actually used an iDevice. Next time, there is a possibility that it will be a more-capable device (or we need to retrieve something).

This tech-voyage has revealed just how "locked down" Apple's iDevices are (and actually, I approve).

With the idea of re-purposing iDevices to lesser-roles and keeping e-waste out of the landfills, we still have uses for iPad-2's and iPad-3's (barely, but certain Apps are still supported ... like Amcrest Surveillance View Pro).

 

[seasurfer]

Thing is (unfortunately) I fear this situation is likely to fall in my lap again in the future. She was just the first one to die that actually used an iDevice. Next time, there is a possibility that it will be a more-capable device (or we need to retrieve something).

If it's likely to happen again in the future with other relatives, then you might consider talking with them about this exact scenario and either asking them to make arrangements for other family members to have access to their accounts or to designate Digital Legacy Contacts on their iCloud and Apple ID accounts.

How to add a Legacy Contact for your Apple ID

 

[Tesla1856]

just go for the DFU option. Get the experience of doing one

I used DFU to do a Restore (with Full Erase) to iOS 9.3.6. Used my Windows-11 laptop with fresh-install of iTunes from Microsoft Store. iTunes was just running (no account connected or logged-in).

Worked great. iPad-3 is now completely erased. Thanks again yall for all the help and explanations. Nice tool to have and know how to use.