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activation connected to previous owner

I purchased an iPad at a thrift store, charged it and found it was still attached to the previous owners account.

The store has a " no return" policy so I'm stuck unless I can unlock it.

Is there any way to contact them and see if it was donated, or stolen.?


serial number DLXH811KDJ8R

iPad (3rd gen) Wi-Fi

Posted on Sep 9, 2021 1:52 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 9, 2021 2:02 AM

If a used iOS device has been 'Activation locked' then only the previous owner can unlock it, either by providing you with the account ID and password, or by carrying out the steps detailed in How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support (as he should have done before selling it).

 

As you are unable to contact him to do this then I'm afraid you will not be able to use the device - there is no other way of unlocking it at all. Apple cannot unlock it for you, nor find the previous owner for you, and neither can the websites that offer to unlock it for a fee: these are scams.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 9, 2021 2:02 AM in response to guaiwu

If a used iOS device has been 'Activation locked' then only the previous owner can unlock it, either by providing you with the account ID and password, or by carrying out the steps detailed in How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support (as he should have done before selling it).

 

As you are unable to contact him to do this then I'm afraid you will not be able to use the device - there is no other way of unlocking it at all. Apple cannot unlock it for you, nor find the previous owner for you, and neither can the websites that offer to unlock it for a fee: these are scams.

Sep 9, 2021 2:16 AM in response to guaiwu

As Roger has outlined, unless you are able to independently seek assistance directly from the previous owner, the iPad is and will remain useless to you.


For information, 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, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. With documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple may be prepared to assist - otherwise they and nobody here will be able to help you.


If you have the necessary documentation, Apple have recently introduced a new portal though which you may be able to request release of an Activation Lock:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support & start an Activation Lock support request.



activation connected to previous owner

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