Way to get past passcode or get owner info?

[RetiredInFl]

Other than that I'd turn it in to the local police station.

Problem with that is, after the 6 months are up the cops have a lottery for which one of them gets it (or any valuable item turned in) and the person who brought it in gets told "the owner claimed it." Not saying ALL cops do this but it's more common than you would hope for.

 

[PrayForDeath]

Is it jailbroken? Can you jailbreak it? What model is it?

If it's jailbroken it's not too hard to dig into the files and extract the contacts.

 

[bubbaguuump]

Not too sure if it will give you any info but there's a free app you can download called i-FunBox that lets you look at the file system of an i device - not sure if it's password protected if you can see the info or not... Also try booting it in recover and or DFU mode and then connecting it to iTunes and see if that works. It's worth a shot to see if you can find any info to contact the owner. I commend you on being so honest and trying to get it back home. I also agree don't take it to the police station. Good luck!

 

[j.leson]

Kudos for doing the right thing. Everyone once in a while, someone on the internet surprises me. I hope you're able to find the owner.

It would be amazing if I lost my ipad, and someone actually tracked me down to return it.

 

[taipan61]

this could be a good idea, however - if i lost my ipad/iphone and someone left me their number, i called them and they wanted my unlock code - i would be a bit reluctant to give it to them - for all i know they could then get all my info off it and keep it for themselves..... maybe im just paranoid?

it might be easier to have them confirm the device serial number - which is on the back of the ipad.... and they should have the receipt for their ipad which normally has a record of the serial number.



Ant

good point

 

[tiptopp]

Problem with that is, after the 6 months are up the cops have a lottery for which one of them gets it (or any valuable item turned in) and the person who brought it in gets told "the owner claimed it." Not saying ALL cops do this but it's more common than you would hope for.

But on the basis that the OP isn't trying to own it, but to return it, it actually makes no difference to them whether it's claimed by the owner within the six months or a cop takes it home after that time. Does it? It makes the OP honest, and the cop dishonest, but if I'd lost my iDevice in town I'd certainly try the police. And surely the police have a published process to follow and could supply the OP with the evidence that it had indeed been collected? I might be being naive, but I'd rather that than assume that all government officials are corrupt...

Paul

 

[Menel]

They claim??? You do realize how silly you sound, right? While I believe you, Apple has no way of confirming your story and they certainly aren't going to risk a lawsuit giving away someone's personal info. Most would rather lose their iPad than have Apple give out their info over the phone to some dude claiming to have found an iPad, don't you think?

The passcode is there to specifically prevent you from getting in. Despite your good intentions, it'd be rather pointless if it was so easy or even possible to get around it, so I doubt you'll find a solution.

Him having the actual serial number of the device is strong enough evidence.

Sharing email address of owner isn't too intrusive, and personally, I wouldn't mind if Apple shared my email to a person who found my iPad, and has it's serial number.

 

[RetiredInFl]

And surely the police have a published process to follow and could supply the OP with the evidence that it had indeed been collected? I might be being naive, but I'd rather that than assume that all government officials are corrupt...

Paul

I clearly stated "NOT ALL." As for being naive. Maybe just a little. Oh wait, I see you're from the UK.

 

[tiptopp]

I clearly stated "NOT ALL." As for being naive. Maybe just a little. Oh wait, I see you're from the UK.

There was something in the intonation. You said "Not saying ALL cops...", as opposed to "NOT saying all cops...", which implied to me, with my acute British intuition, that you might have been saying "Not saying ALL cops are bent, but MOST are", as opposed to "NOT saying all cops are bent, because MOST aren't".

Anyway, LOL!

Cheers,
Paul

 

[billinaz]

Problem with that is, after the 6 months are up the cops have a lottery for which one of them gets it (or any valuable item turned in) and the person who brought it in gets told "the owner claimed it." Not saying ALL cops do this but it's more common than you would hope for.

No, after 90 days (in this state) a letter gets sent to the person who turned it in to come get the found property that they turned in as it is now theirs.

 

[RetiredInFl]

No, after 90 days (in this state) a letter gets sent to the person who turned it in to come get the found property that they turned in as it is now theirs.

6 months here, but again, that is what they are SUPPOSED to do. How would you know if they didn't follow that rule? Not sure if that is state law or is up to the local PD.

 

[I like cats]

I have the wifi-only model of the iPad, so I was wondering, is there anyway to hook up an iPad to wifi if you don't have the passcode to the iPad? Because I'm thinking that if I did lose my iPad, there'd really be no way to get in contact with any person that found it.. right?

 

[Ccrew]

From the warranty notice, it seems like they only had the iPad less than a day before losing it! Does it look prestine, or as though it's fallen off a vehicle?

Anyway, would it not make sense to go to the local police station? That's surely a priority place for someone with a lost/stolen claim...

It's in a folio case, case is a bit scuffed, but the iPad is pristine. Looks like it did a fling and slide based on the case damage, I'm still thinking that it slid off a car.

Still no responses from the ads although several scammers have tried.

I'm in shrug shoulders mode. Have:
Left on charger and on my desk so that Find My iPad can find it
Posted flyers in the area I found it
Ad on CL
Called Apple support and they won't contact the owner.
Stopped in Apple store, same response. Let me tell you, Apple won't re-unite you with your device!.
Pulled the SIM and contacted ATT, SIM was never activated.
Called PD for that area who took a report, but said no need to bring it to them. Honestly? I got the impression that they thought I was a bit of a nut trying to find the owner. Sign of the times I guess.

I'm going to give it some time, but I'm thinking I've done best I can do unless someone has a suggestion. Thanks everyone so far for the responses.

I have one of my own so keeping it isn't in the cards. I could never enjoy it anyway knowing I had it only because of someone else's loss.

 

[Dangerous Theory]

I have one of my own so keeping it isn't in the cards. I could never enjoy it anyway knowing I had it only because of someone else's loss.

I agree, I could never keep somebody's possession with the "finders keepers" ideology. I can imagine the frustration that the owner isn't claiming it.

 

[hallux]

Pulled the SIM and contacted ATT, SIM was never activated.

If this is the case then Find My iPad wouldn't work since there's no data connection to the device.

 

[s15119]

People put pass codes on their devices for a reason. Put up some sound signs, or return it to the authorities. Bypassing the users password is unethical.

 

[Ccrew]

People put pass codes on their devices for a reason. Put up some sound signs, or return it to the authorities. Bypassing the users password is unethical.

I agree that it's unethical if used for nefarious reasons. I think I differ on doing it for good. You lost your iPad, you'd be mad if someone got in so that they could call or email you to tell you they had it? You may posture that you would be, but I'm betting you'd be as happy as a pig in poop if you got it back.

 

[xraytech]

Now before you think I'm up to no good, let me preface this.

I found an iPad. I'd really, really like to re-unite it with it's owner as I'm sure you'd like to be re-united if you lost yours. I know how to wipe it and make it "mine" but I have no intention of it as in my eyes it's not mine to do that to. .

Unit is passcoded with a default screen. Apple won't do squat if I call them with the serial, I tried and they claim they won't due to privacy reasons. I'd like to get past the passcode to get to the contacts list to see if I can get the owner that way in addition i've put found ads on CL.

I'll happily carry it into an Apple store if need be, just want to know if anyone's run into this. I have in order to reset them, but there was never a concern for the data on it.

Background: I commute via bicycle, and this was on the shoulder of the road on my afternoon ride home. I'm assuming that it was on a roof/trunk and someone drove off from home and it went flying. Again, I'd just like to get it back to it's owner. Even to making sure I leave it here plugged in and turned on so that Find my Ipad is available if need be and they can come to my door.

Thanks

A few iOS versions back there was a way to bypass the Passcode Lockscreen by using the Sleep/Wake function with a Smart Cover.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLgQ22naQhE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

But I think Apple Patched it.

 

[TheSuperSteve]

I think its nice that you’re trying this hard to return it to the owner, but if they don’t claim it soon, I would keep it. Most people in your situation would instantly keep it without question and its the owner’s absentmindedness in the first place for losing it.

Everyone will hate on me for this, but this is what I think. You already tried your best at returning it. If it doesn’t work, just keep it. Unethical or otherwise. We don’t live in a rosy-colored world full of rainbows.

 

[Consultant]

I have the wifi-only model of the iPad, so I was wondering, is there anyway to hook up an iPad to wifi if you don't have the passcode to the iPad? Because I'm thinking that if I did lose my iPad, there'd really be no way to get in contact with any person that found it.. right?

iPad are usually set up to access Apple Store wifi, so to allow data access, bring it to Apple Store.

 

[s15119]

I agree that it's unethical if used for nefarious reasons. I think I differ on doing it for good. You lost your iPad, you'd be mad if someone got in so that they could call or email you to tell you they had it? You may posture that you would be, but I'm betting you'd be as happy as a pig in poop if you got it back.

I think you can make that argument - and I think you've made it quite well. I don't happen to agree, but I respect your point.

 

[TLewis]

I know I'm late to the party but, if you're really serious, you should generally just turn it into the police. If you don't, and the owner uses find my iphone/ipad to locate it at your home, you just might find yourself under arrest, like this person did: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20111027/articles/111029570

 

[r-sparks]

One thing I do on both my iPhone and iPad is create a lockscreen wallpaper that includes the lines:

Property of <my name>.

If you're reading this
then this iPhone is lost
or stolen. Please phone

<my landline number>

to arrange return. ​

This seems to be to be the most sensible thing imaginable. You might also include a snapshot of yourself so that, if somebody finds it in a crowded room where you still are present, they can identify you instantly. This will also be useful if the device is handed into a lost property office—you can claim it back with no trouble.

Of course, both devices are registered with the Find My iPhone service so I can locate them using icloud.com on any computer, and cause messages/beeps to appear on the device screen.

Also, ensure your lockcode is more than four simple numbers. There's software out there that can hack simple passcodes by brute force (some state police use such software at the roadside). I have an eight-digit pass number on each device.

 

[jekyl]

One thing I do on both my iPhone and iPad is create a lockscreen wallpaper that includes the lines:

Good idea, some we all should look into. I have a label on the cover with my initials, but only because my sister has an identical cover on her iPad. But I think I'll make a second label for inside the case under the iPad to include contact instructions. Thanks for the idea.

.

Also, ensure your lockcode is more than four simple numbers. There's software out there that can hack simple passcodes by brute force (some state police use such software at the roadside). I have an eight-digit pass number on each device.

I have mine set so that I think ten wrong guesses will lock it up and wipe it clean.

 

[billinaz]

6 months here, but again, that is what they are SUPPOSED to do. How would you know if they didn't follow that rule? Not sure if that is state law or is up to the local PD.

Property disposal is tightly regulated. Each state has their own rules regarding property and evidence.

If there are rogue elements out there that are misappropriating these items, eventually they face the music.

How do I know? Lets just say that my occupation gives me an intimate knowledge of the workings of a PD....

----------

It's in a folio case, case is a bit scuffed, but the iPad is pristine. Looks like it did a fling and slide based on the case damage, I'm still thinking that it slid off a car.

Still no responses from the ads although several scammers have tried.

I'm in shrug shoulders mode. Have:
Left on charger and on my desk so that Find My iPad can find it
Posted flyers in the area I found it
Ad on CL
Called Apple support and they won't contact the owner.
Stopped in Apple store, same response. Let me tell you, Apple won't re-unite you with your device!.
Pulled the SIM and contacted ATT, SIM was never activated.
Called PD for that area who took a report, but said no need to bring it to them. Honestly? I got the impression that they thought I was a bit of a nut trying to find the owner. Sign of the times I guess.

I'm going to give it some time, but I'm thinking I've done best I can do unless someone has a suggestion. Thanks everyone so far for the responses.

I have one of my own so keeping it isn't in the cards. I could never enjoy it anyway knowing I had it only because of someone else's loss.

You have honestly fulfilled more than anyone could have reasonable expected to return this to its owner.

Reformat it, and keep it or sell it.

You should see how happy people are that get cash handed to them after it gets turned into a police department and never claimed.