You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

📢 Newsroom Update

Apple introduces powerful new iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

New ipad

We purchased an iPad from someone and we are trying to create a new apple

id for it- it keeps saying “this iPad has been used to create too many apple id’s. Connect with Apple ID “


iPad Pro 9.7-inch WiFi

Posted on Jul 15, 2020 5:33 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 16, 2020 2:52 AM

Your principle problem is that an single iPad or iPhone can be used to create a maximum of three AppleID accounts directly from the device. Your pre-owned iPad has clearly reached this limit.


If you have access to a PC or Mac, you should be able to create a standalone AppleID - and then use this AppleID to activate the iPad that you have acquired:

How to create a new Apple ID – Apple Support


Scroll through this support page until you reach the appropriate section.


Assuming that your iPad was properly prepared for reuse - and your are running through the set-up process from the “Hello” page, your new AppleID should successfully activate the iPad.


Here is some additional information about the Activation Lock - and the procedures to remove it if it should be encountered:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201441


As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, or unless you can secure the cooperation of the previous owner, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. Without documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple won’t assist - and nobody here will be able to help you.


I hope this information and guidance proves to be helpful in resolving your AppleID account creation problem - and in successfully activating you iPad.



3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 16, 2020 2:52 AM in response to Bodick

Your principle problem is that an single iPad or iPhone can be used to create a maximum of three AppleID accounts directly from the device. Your pre-owned iPad has clearly reached this limit.


If you have access to a PC or Mac, you should be able to create a standalone AppleID - and then use this AppleID to activate the iPad that you have acquired:

How to create a new Apple ID – Apple Support


Scroll through this support page until you reach the appropriate section.


Assuming that your iPad was properly prepared for reuse - and your are running through the set-up process from the “Hello” page, your new AppleID should successfully activate the iPad.


Here is some additional information about the Activation Lock - and the procedures to remove it if it should be encountered:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201441


As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, or unless you can secure the cooperation of the previous owner, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. Without documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple won’t assist - and nobody here will be able to help you.


I hope this information and guidance proves to be helpful in resolving your AppleID account creation problem - and in successfully activating you iPad.



Jul 15, 2020 6:38 PM in response to Bodick

You have encountered Activation Lock a theft prevention feature. Without the Apple ID and Password of the original owner who set the lock, you will never be able to use the device. These links explain....

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Turn off Activation Lock - Apple Support

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community

Jul 15, 2020 6:49 PM in response to Bodick

Seems like you purchased a used iPad with user Activation Lock.

Unless you can contact this owner/seller of this iPad and that person can remove the user lock off of this iPad, this iPad will be completely useless to you.

No one here can help you! Apple will NOT help you!


Unless the person that sold you this iPad can help you, there is nothing more to be done.

That iPad will be a dead, useless device to you!


If the seller can't help you, try and attempt to return this iPad and get your money back!

If no joy, recycle this device responsibly.


This is a very common issue here.


Also, if this iPad is a very old 8 or 9-year old model, with these old iPads, there are no more available apps from Apple's iOS App Store, any longer.

Also, these old iPads will be completely obsolete by the end of 2020.


If you must purchase older, used iPad models, DO NOT look at anything older than a 2014 iPad Air 2 or 2015 iPad Mini 4.

Both of these models are the oldest iPad models that the up and coming iPadOS 14 will support, in the Fall of 2020.


If you must purchased used devices from unknown sources, you must ask A WHOLE LOT more questions of the iOS device seller, ask for more photo/images, ask if the iPad has user/iCloud activation lock and ask for photos/images/short video proof, ANY POSITIVE, VISUAL PROOF, that such an iPad has been reset to factory settings and shown proof of the iOS device's start up screen showing the animated, moving, multi-language “Hello” Welcome to iPad screen.

If the iOS device seller is unwilling to do all of this to show you that the iPad, in question, is ready to use with no barriers to new user activation and use, pass on the iOS device and look at other iOS device sellers elsewhere.




Sorry & Best of Luck to You!


New ipad

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.