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my ipad is under 'activation lock. i have forgotten my apple id and password for this device

my ipad is under 'activation lock. i have forgotten my apple id and password for this device. how to unlock the device


iPad

Posted on Sep 6, 2021 3:49 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 6, 2021 4:02 AM

If you are talking about "activation lock" (an anti-theft measure), neither we, just users like you, nor Apple can help you, sorry, unless you are the original owner and you still have the proof of purchase (receipt/invoice reporting your device’s IMEI or Serial Number). Should be this case, start your request using this link: https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support


Shouldn’t be this case, activation lock can be removed only by the previous owner, with the credentials that were used to activate that iPhone/iPad. Without those credentials, that device is useless to you.

You can also take a look at this support article:--> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

Regards

Giulio

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 6, 2021 4:02 AM in response to sowmya114

If you are talking about "activation lock" (an anti-theft measure), neither we, just users like you, nor Apple can help you, sorry, unless you are the original owner and you still have the proof of purchase (receipt/invoice reporting your device’s IMEI or Serial Number). Should be this case, start your request using this link: https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support


Shouldn’t be this case, activation lock can be removed only by the previous owner, with the credentials that were used to activate that iPhone/iPad. Without those credentials, that device is useless to you.

You can also take a look at this support article:--> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

Regards

Giulio

Sep 6, 2021 3:18 PM in response to Dontbuyit

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.


However, recovery of the AppleID credentials should be possible…


If you have forgotten your AppleID or associated password, these can be recovered here:

https://iforgot.apple.com/


To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to any one of the following:

  • Your primary email address mailbox that corresponds with your AppleID
  • Any of the secondary/recovery email addresses that should be configured for your AppleID account
  • Any of the trusted telephone numbers (fixed line or Cellular/Mobile) that are associated with your AppleID


Unless you AppleID account has not been fully/correctly configured, or has been seriously neglected, recovery of the AppleID and password should not be difficult.


More information about recovery of your AppleID:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support


More information about recovery of your AppleID password:

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


When you recover access to your credentials, you would be well advised to log-in to your AppleID account from a web browser - and verify/update any email addresses and trusted telephone numbers:

https://appleid.apple.com/


Sep 11, 2021 3:49 AM in response to LotusPilot

It is a pity that APPLE penalises its’ customers in the name of security. In my case, the email mentioned in ID contains a spelling mistake that was not observed at the time of ID creation. The password is forgotten what with multiple passwords being mandatory to lead our lives. If APPLE sent any instruction on that email, either it would not reach ( probably there is no such email I’d)or cannot be accessed by me. How do you resolve this issue? This ipad was purchased a few years ago in US and gifted to me in India. I can check whether the original invoice can be traced in US but that won’t be in my name. Does that make my ipad, a stolen one? The serial number is DM***FHW. The name of invoice could be in the name of Kavita rangarajan (my cousin). Can APPLE trace with this and help me?



[Personal Information Edited by Moderator]


Sep 11, 2021 4:05 AM in response to sowmya114

Apple does not penalise anyone on the basis of security. If mistakes are made when creating an AppleID and activating a new device, you really cannot assign blame to Apple.


Apple will provide assistance with resolving issues, but must maintain security of this process.


If you can demonstrate to Apple’s satisfaction that you are the legitimate owner of an AppleID account and/or device, they will help. Consider, however, that you must satisfy their requirements beyond doubt - and it is Apple’s absolute discretion as to the proof that is required to satisfy requirements.


Account security is paramount. If the procedure was easy, account-takeover by someone other than the true owner would be possible.

my ipad is under 'activation lock. i have forgotten my apple id and password for this device

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