iPad Activation Lock bypass?

[Night Spring]

I apologize for posting in such an old thread, but the topic is on-point for my question. I know absolutely nothing about the Apple world, so please forgive my naivety. A friend of mine has recently lost a loved one in a personal tragedy, a suicide. As part of their normal investigation, the police took the deceased person's iPhone, but they were not interested in the young man's iPad, which he pretty much lived on. Basically, it doesn't appear that anything criminal or illegal was going on, but the family is highly motivated to see the iPad and what he might have been saying. This is one of those "He was such a great kid and had everything going for him" situations that shocks everyone involved, but it doesn't involve drugs or national security or the like, so it looks like any investigation of the contents of this iPad will have to be done privately. I think that the iTunes account on the iPad is shared between the family, so the password for that is known. The iCloud password is probably also known. He ran iTunes on a PC, not a Mac.

So in short, I am hoping someone can help direct me to any way to bypass the numeric password on the iPad. It has not been disabled, we have not tried to guess it at all. Hopefully his iPad data is backed up on iCloud or iTunes somehow. His laptop may also have information on the drive, I am going to remove the 2.5" drive from his laptop and insert it into an enclosure and mirror it before scraping it for passwords and information, but asking you guru Apple folk if there is an easy way seemed like a good start. BTW I've seen the various hardware devices designed to break entry passcodes on iPhones and interrupting the power to prevent device lockout - I will purchase one of those, if need be, if there is a model that will function on the iPad. While I would not be pleased giving money to the kind of people who build devices that essentially facilitate theft, I will swallow my pride and do it if it will help give my friends - two very devastated parents - some kind of peace.

Thanks for any direction or assistance.

Sorry for your loss.

It occurs to me that if you have the iCloud account password, and the deceased person's iPad was backed up to iCloud, then it's possible to restore that backup to another iPad. The iPad you use to restore the backup to would need to have same or greater storage than the deceased's iPad, and need to be running the same or later iOS version.

What I'm not sure about is if doing that also sets a password lock on the new iPad. If it doesn't, we are good, but if it does, then there's no point. Perhaps other forum members can chime in?

 

[myfort]

Funny you mention that.

I recently won an iPad whose iCloud lock was enabled, which, admittedly, I knew little about. I was discouraged reading comment after comment that Apple would not undo it. I decided to visit my local Apple Store anyway. I was initially told that nothing could be done, but the store's manager was kind enough to unlock it for me since it wasn't registered as stolen. Now I have a fully functioning iPad at a fraction of the cost.

It never hurts to try.

 

[charlituna]

Funny you mention that.

I recently won an iPad whose iCloud lock was enabled, which, admittedly, I knew little about. I was discouraged reading comment after comment that Apple would not undo it. I decided to visit my local Apple Store anyway. I was initially told that nothing could be done, but the store's manager was kind enough to unlock it for me since it wasn't registered as stolen. Now I have a fully functioning iPad at a fraction of the cost.

It never hurts to try.

That manager did you a huge solid. I'm talking universe huge. Because the number one rule of that process is that they absolutely do not do that. It's a fireable offense. My boyfriend was recently promoted to manager and was warned that if he ever did that very thing he would be fired the moment they found out. First offense. Because that's how seriously they take that whole thing. Folks have come in saying it belonged to their dead husband and are to be refused unless they have a receipt with their name etc.

so yeah it never hurts to try anything but the odds of finding a manager willing to risk his/her job is tiny
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What I'm not sure about is if doing that also sets a password lock on the new iPad. If it doesn't, we are good, but if it does, then there's no point. Perhaps other forum members can chime in?

backups never include passcode locks or finger prints.

 

[myfort]

I just wanna share this and maybe it could help you. But please bare with me coz I'm not good at written instructions. I've had the same problem with my iPad 2 for over 2 months. i forgot the answers to my security questions and my apple id was disabled and i thot resetting it would clear the applw id but i was wrong and got stuck on the activation lock. So I've decided today to get my iPad and mess with it a little bit to see if there is a way that I could bypass the activation code. It was a success and I was surprised coz I've done a lot of searching and I found nothing at all. I know how frustrating it is so this is what I did. *pick language *location/country When I get to the "network selection" option I just selected a text and try to bring it to the copy/cut/paste/define mode ,then I chose define .after that the manage or search web option popped . What I did is I chose "manage" and there are multiple languages that has the icloud download icon, so I tapped multiple languages to download over and over ,locked the screen and unlocked it back then after doing that the screen shuts off (slightly like it'll stop to work)and it brought me to the home screen of my iPad. And I've bypassed the activation code. So there you go . Please let me know if it helped you too. Best of luck... Cheers...

i have an i pad 4 with ios 10 and i paid 350 threw a company i worked for they kept a check of mine due to not giving them notice when i was starting my own business. Now i have an i pad that i dont know the apple id nor the password for it I have tried everything to get it unlocked and i am not sure what your talking about when you say bring it to the copy paste cut define mode can you PLEASE get in touch with me at mjm5569 gmail and we can maybe talk a bit i need this unlocked so i can use it again I would really appreciate it thanks for you time in advance

 

[kingtj]

You want to hear something *really* stupid with iPads and activation locks? We've got an old iPad 2 in one of our offices that somehow got into a locked state, but we're unable to get into it because it shows some ridiculously long time (like over 80,000 years) before it will time out and let someone try entering the code again!

We've tried putting it in DFU mode and reloading iOS on it but every time it comes back it, it's still locked with this huge number of years showing.

We took it in to an Apple store and several "Geniuses" passed the thing around, all amazed by the huge number it displayed -- and they eventually decided it was impossible to do anything with. It's old enough so it's out of warranty, so I guess they really don't care too much about it anymore. But basically, something glitched in it (because this is one we legally own and have the proof of purchase for) - yet they're telling us it's just a fancy paperweight now.

 

[bufffilm]

You want to hear something *really* stupid with iPads and activation locks? We've got an old iPad 2 in one of our offices that somehow got into a locked state, but we're unable to get into it because it shows some ridiculously long time (like over 80,000 years) before it will time out and let someone try entering the code again!

We've tried putting it in DFU mode and reloading iOS on it but every time it comes back it, it's still locked with this huge number of years showing.

We took it in to an Apple store and several "Geniuses" passed the thing around, all amazed by the huge number it displayed -- and they eventually decided it was impossible to do anything with. It's old enough so it's out of warranty, so I guess they really don't care too much about it anymore. But basically, something glitched in it (because this is one we legally own and have the proof of purchase for) - yet they're telling us it's just a fancy paperweight now.

Can you take a pic and post?
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i have an i pad 4 with ios 10 and i paid 350 threw a company i worked for they kept a check of mine due to not giving them notice when i was starting my own business. Now i have an i pad that i dont know the apple id nor the password for it I have tried everything to get it unlocked and i am not sure what your talking about when you say bring it to the copy paste cut define mode can you PLEASE get in touch with me at mjm5569 gmail and we can maybe talk a bit i need this unlocked so i can use it again I would really appreciate it thanks for you time in advance

Return the iPad for a refund...you bought a paperweight.

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

i have an i pad 4 with ios 10 and i paid 350 threw a company i worked for they kept a check of mine due to not giving them notice when i was starting my own business. Now i have an i pad that i dont know the apple id nor the password for it I have tried everything to get it unlocked and i am not sure what your talking about when you say bring it to the copy paste cut define mode can you PLEASE get in touch with me at mjm5569 gmail and we can maybe talk a bit i need this unlocked so i can use it again I would really appreciate it thanks for you time in advance

So the iPad belongs to the business that you left?

 

[kingtj]

The iPad with the problem is at an office that's about 900 miles away from me, so I'd have to ask one of my co-workers who does I.T. support there to take the photo for me. But yeah, I'll see if I can get one....

Can you take a pic and post?

 

[bufffilm]

The iPad with the problem is at an office that's about 900 miles away from me, so I'd have to ask one of my co-workers who does I.T. support there to take the photo for me. But yeah, I'll see if I can get one....

It would be swell, but don't put yourself out...by any means.

 

[numereau1]

I myself own an iPad and brought an iPAD from a Pawn Shop they put on the receipt AS IS, they knew of the activation Lock and I didn't see the AS IS, I have a proper receipt. The Pawn Shop won't get in contact with the owner and Apple won't unlock it. Those who are calling everyone thieves are wrong, and the system is very flawed. This protocol doesn't really help anyone. Actually it's a ploy to get people to have to buy a new product because of Apples greed. I know this because one of the Apple reps said the Pawn Shop shouldn't have sold it to me because they are not an authorized Apple reseller. I've been using Apple products since 1995 since that time I've paid more than 30k for apple products I've had just about every computer model made at some point. 3 iPads and 6 iPhones. This problem is enough for me to never buy an apple product again.

I have an iPad i gave to my sister in law who is an elder, I factory reset it for her and set it up for her as I didn't want to leave it under my account and leave my personal "stuff" on it, after a couple of months she asked me to take it back as she wasn't interested in learning how to use it let alone use it, so I did but when I attempted to reactivate it is activation lock and she can't find the info I gave her in regards to her password and user name I had marked down for her when I set it up, the bottom line is all activation locked devices are not stollen and some people actually do end up losing there devices due to this policy. I would not want this to happen to anyone else or would i like to see an actual stollen one get unlocked, but before you label someone get the facts.

 

[Marginal]

Did you read the comments? Quite a lot of "it doesn't work" and people saying how they can hardly do anything after.

And good riddance, I hope Apple makes it even harder for people to use stolen devices.

How about people like my wife's niece who has bought it from a stolen luggage sale?
Not that she's entitled to have a $500 iPad for $25, but why not try at least?

 

[AZhappyjack]

I do enjoy these threads... people can be so creative with their stories...

If you are the original owner with a copy of the receipt showing the iOS device was purchased "new" from an authorized seller, then Apple will certainly help you recover and/or gain access to your device. If you can't prove any of that, they won't.

Why risk it? One might as well just shove the cash that they were planning to spend on that second hand device, whatever the backstory, into a shredder.

It's awfully easy to come to a forum and spin a somewhat believable yarn in the hopes of getting someone to show you the magic pill... yeah, I get it... but the bottom line is that there is NO magic pill... understand the pitfalls of purchasing used iOS devices from sketchy sources... caveat emptor.

 

[Marginal]

I do enjoy these threads... people can be so creative with their stories...

If you are the original owner with a copy of the receipt showing the iOS device was purchased "new" from an authorized seller, then Apple will certainly help you recover and/or gain access to your device. If you can't prove any of that, they won't.

Why risk it? One might as well just shove the cash that they were planning to spend on that second hand device, whatever the backstory, into a shredder.

It's awfully easy to come to a forum and spin a somewhat believable yarn in the hopes of getting someone to show you the magic pill... yeah, I get it... but the bottom line is that there is NO magic pill... understand the pitfalls of purchasing used iOS devices from sketchy sources... caveat emptor.

We learn all our lives.

1. My wife's niece did not know what is in the luggage before purchasing it and discovered there's an iPad inside it ONLY after purchasing it.
2. There IS a magic pill.
They disolder a chip or two inside the iPad, solder new ones and Tadaa it is like a virgin.

 

[PizzaTime]

understand the pitfalls of purchasing used iOS devices from sketchy sources... caveat emptor.

Why is everyone in this thread so rude?

I am trying to use an iPad as part of my IT support job. My company purchased the iPad before I started working here. I tried to reset the iPad and it is activation locked to a Gmail account. I have not idea who at my company could have set this up. I asked accounting for a receipt from the purchase and they said they don't have one.

Am I really supposed to throw it in the trash and tell my boss we need a new one? This is kind of ridiculous.

I know you guys can't give me a magic password, but you do need to realize that some of these people are legit. I didn't buy anything used from anyone sketchy.

 

[Night Spring]

Why is everyone in this thread so rude?

I am trying to use an iPad as part of my IT support job. My company purchased the iPad before I started working here. I tried to reset the iPad and it is activation locked to a Gmail account. I have not idea who at my company could have set this up. I asked accounting for a receipt from the purchase and they said they don't have one.

Am I really supposed to throw it in the trash and tell my boss we need a new one? This is kind of ridiculous.

I know you guys can't give me a magic password, but you do need to realize that some of these people are legit. I didn't buy anything used from anyone sketchy.

Sorry, but we do get a lot of people asking for help with fishy stories about iOS devices acquired under suspicious circumstances.

Unfortunately, unless you can prove ownership, the only thing you can do is tell your boss you need to buy a new one. Or put in more effort to track down the person who put on the activation lock. It may seem ridiculous, but that's the way the system is.

 

[aJesusHuman]

I do IT for a public school district. We have lots of iPads. Because of Apple's activation lock, it is VERY easy to "software vandalize" an iPad, even by accident. But can I confirm that all we need to do is bring these iPads to an Apple store with proof of purchase?

Personally, I think this is a draconian measure that should be an opt-in, and not necessarily during iPad setup. It should be maybe the last option in setup. Something like, "Do you want to set up anti-theft for your iPad?" [Yes] [No]

 

[chrfr]

I do IT for a public school district. We have lots of iPads. Because of Apple's activation lock, it is VERY easy to "software vandalize" an iPad, even by accident. But can I confirm that all we need to do is bring these iPads to an Apple store with proof of purchase?

Personally, I think this is a draconian measure that should be an opt-in, and not necessarily during iPad setup. It should be maybe the last option in setup. Something like, "Do you want to set up anti-theft for your iPad?" [Yes] [No]

You should be managing your iPads and using DEP so that you can manage the iPads in such a way that you don't lose access to them via iCloud Activation Lock.
But yes, with proof of purchase, Apple can unlock the devices for you.

 

[aJesusHuman]

You should be managing your iPads and using DEP so that you can manage the iPads in such a way that you don't lose access to them via iCloud Activation Lock.
But yes, with proof of purchase, Apple can unlock the devices for you.

Thanks. I'm not familiar with Apple's back-end management systems. Our Apple Education contact found out that we were managing iPads individually and is going to help us with that. I thought there must be an easier way, but I have been contracted after they have had almost no IT department for 3 years, and have been doing what I'm told at first. Making incremental changes here and there, and suggesting larger improvements. Hopefully Apple's tools will make iPad management easy.

 

[airira]

iPad Activation Lock bypass?

Mrclarkinc

1. Activation lock is not doable. on iphone or other devices.
2. As a reseller of iPhones why wouldn't you be checking these items for the lock instead of risking hundreds of dollars?
3. Aren't activation lock and iCloud lock the same thing?

Remove the SIM card and either replace it with a new one from a carrier (along with cellular service agreement) or simply keep the device as a wifi only iPad. Activation lock refers to the cell service and the SIM card.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Remove the SIM card and either replace it with a new one from a carrier (along with cellular service agreement) or simply keep the device as a wifi only iPad. Activation lock refers to the cell service and the SIM card.

Not. Even. Close.

 

[airira]

That's funny because I just did it on my niece's old iPad. Not five minutes ago. Works like a charm. What you're referring to is the Apple account lock, which is different. Without the correct email address and password, you can not get into the account. However, Apple CAN do this. It requires verification of ownership of the device from the place of purchase (a carrier, for example) with serial number, user's account info, date of purchase, etc. Then Apple takes about 90 days to verify and allow this to occur. I have done this professionally when I worked for a major company that owns thousands of iPads and iPhones across the country. Apple can unlock user accounts. And the activation lock refers to the carrier SIM, not the account itself.

 

[C DM]

What you're referring to is the Apple account lock, which is different.

Yet that's basically what the discussion in thread has been about.

 

[airira]

Except there ARE two different activation locks for these devices. The recently referred to iPad that my niece had trouble with asked for the activation of the SIM card. The dialog box said, "Enter the SIM card serial number." I removed the SIM card and now it works fine. There are instances where the cellular activation is required to continue. I admit these are not frequent but it does happen.

 

[C DM]

Except there ARE two different activation locks for these devices. The recently referred to iPad that my niece had trouble with asked for the activation of the SIM card. The dialog box said, "Enter the SIM card serial number." I removed the SIM card and now it works fine. There are instances where the cellular activation is required to continue. I admit these are not frequent but it does happen.

While there can be other locks, this thread is about Apple's Activation Lock: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365

 

[airira]

understood. signing off.