What do I do if the previous owner is deceased?
I purchased an iPad from an estate sale. I did a factory restore to enter a new passcode. Now it says a password is required. The owner is apparently deceased. What can I do?
Question marked as
Top-ranking reply
Unfortunately the iPad is useless to you.
Without the Passcode, the iPad will have to be reset. Once reset, you’ll almost certainly encounter an Activation Lock - which you’ll not be able to resolve.
Here are the Apple support pages that outline the Activation Lock - and the only mechanisms by which it can be turned off:
Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Turn off Activation Lock – Apple Support
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.
The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community