User profile for user: Habek77
Habek77 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Factory reset ipad mini returned from a business that has closed down

Hi all, just wondering if there is a way to factory reset an ipad mini so it can be re-used. Scenario is as follows:


  1. 5-6 years ago, place i worked was working if a business partner. As part of making the system work better, we have provided them with an ipad mini just straight of the shelves. Purchased by our admin person, and mailed directly to the partner.
  2. They have registered using their own business email.
  3. Present day, the partner has closed their business, and we have requested them to return the ipad mini, which they have returned. Along with it is also the pin to access the ipad.
  4. We wanted to repurpose the ipad mini, but when we were trying to factory reset the ipad, we were unable to as it requires the icloud email to proceed.
  5. We contacted the trading partner, and unfortunately they do not have access anymore to their business email as it has been closed down.


What are my options here? I have contacted my local Apple store and they suggested to call the Apple Support team, but i thought i will just check here first just in case anyone has any suggestions.


Thanks in advance.

iPad mini (6th generation)

Posted on Aug 10, 2025 07:27 PM

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User profile for user: Mac Jim ID
Mac Jim ID
User level: Level 9
53,048 points

Posted on Aug 10, 2025 08:41 PM

It is not clear if there is any MDM software installed on the iPads as would be typical in the scenario you described. In that case the company would be the only one that can remove MDM software and Apple cannot do it. With a defunct company the device would simply not be usable.


Without MDM software, you are looking at removing the Activation Lock which ties the device to the account that is signed into it. Apple can remove an Activation Lock, but the requirement is that it cannot be a managed device and in most cases it is you that must prove you purchased the device and provide the original receipt from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller.

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support


You don't need access to the business email to remove the account from the device. The email address is nothing more than a username, and what you need is the Password to remove the account. Without the password, it will make it difficult to remove the account from the device using Account Recovery, as that is used to determine ownership of the account, not the device. Account Recovery may be a long shot with the limited information that you can provide.

How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support



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User profile for user: Mac Jim ID
Mac Jim ID
User level: Level 9
53,048 points

Aug 10, 2025 08:41 PM in response to Habek77

It is not clear if there is any MDM software installed on the iPads as would be typical in the scenario you described. In that case the company would be the only one that can remove MDM software and Apple cannot do it. With a defunct company the device would simply not be usable.


Without MDM software, you are looking at removing the Activation Lock which ties the device to the account that is signed into it. Apple can remove an Activation Lock, but the requirement is that it cannot be a managed device and in most cases it is you that must prove you purchased the device and provide the original receipt from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller.

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support


You don't need access to the business email to remove the account from the device. The email address is nothing more than a username, and what you need is the Password to remove the account. Without the password, it will make it difficult to remove the account from the device using Account Recovery, as that is used to determine ownership of the account, not the device. Account Recovery may be a long shot with the limited information that you can provide.

How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support



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User profile for user: iKyle88
iKyle88
User level: Level 1
8 points

Aug 10, 2025 10:50 PM in response to Habek77

Good luck.. I recommend you doing a hard reset… it’s something of o remember correctly volume up then down then hold power then stick in the lightning connection to a decent computer and then reboot the the software which could likely be an update to what you have already… then lickidie split you got yourself a fully fictional iPad mini to work with… but I would double check that volume press to make sure that you check into what I’m talking about…



Kyle

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User profile for user: Habek77
Habek77 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Aug 11, 2025 12:58 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

No MDM software is installed on it.


Will be hard to find proof of purchase as the admin person has left the company at least 5 years ago


Yeah i tried the account recovery with the security questions and even the user can't remember who's DOB they used for it. They have given me DOB of everyone on the company that might set it up in the first place, but it none of them works.

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Factory reset ipad mini returned from a business that has closed down

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