Got a hand-me-down iPad (4th gen MD513LL/A with iOS 10.3.3) for our little one from his grandmother. It had originally belonged to my BIL. It is still signed into his iCloud account with find my iPad activated. He can't remember the password and doesn't have access to the email tied to it any more.

Is there any way to bypass/disable so I can restore it and set it up fresh? I've seen a ton of different things on Google, but most involve downloading some third party program.

If all else fails, can I take it to a Genius Bar and get my BIL on the phone and have him say it is ok to erase it?

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Posted by Dam Guide

Member since Sep 2005

16265 posts

Posted on 12/31/22 at 7:02 am to PJinAtl

Apple typically says tough shite over this. They can do it, it takes going up to the chain some from first line people, but typically won’t do it because stolen devices and all. The owner of the email has the best shot to do if you can prove you own the email.

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Posted by AUstar

Member since Dec 2012

18437 posts

Posted on 12/31/22 at 8:34 am to PJinAtl

Surely there's a way to "factory reset" it on your own? You would lose everything on it, but it would allow you to start fresh.

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Posted by PJinAtl

Atlanta

Member since Nov 2007

13401 posts

Posted on 12/31/22 at 11:21 am to AUstar

If I follow the steps to restore it (factory reset) using iTunes, it tells me I have to turn off Find my iPad first.

I get it in that it keeps someone from stealing the device, wiping it, and selling it. But this is a legit want/need to sign out of my BIL's iCloud account and repurpose the device for my kid.

My BIL is in Vegas; we are in Atlanta. I don't think he has access to the email account used to set up the AppleID/iCloud account and doesn't remember the password for it.

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Posted by Dam Guide

Member since Sep 2005

16265 posts

Posted on 12/31/22 at 3:21 pm to AUstar

quote:
Surely there's a way to "factory reset" it on your own? You would lose everything on it, but it would allow you to start fresh.

There isn’t, people occasionally return phones to Verizon and such and don’t reset them properly. Sometimes those phones get resold, basically the people have to return them back to Verizon and get a new phone because Apple won’t do anything. He needs access to the email that holds the account. They specifically did this to prevent people from stealing phones/iPads as easy. Stealing someone’s phone basically makes the phone useless except for parts.

This post was edited on 12/31/22 at 3:22 pm

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Posted by Dam Guide

Member since Sep 2005

16265 posts

Posted on 12/31/22 at 3:24 pm to PJinAtl

quote:
My BIL is in Vegas; we are in Atlanta. I don't think he has access to the email account used to set up the AppleID/iCloud account and doesn't remember the password for it.

He will have to be the one to call Apple and see if they will do it for him, it’s rare they do it and usually involves proving it. Just the way it is, Apple has no idea if you are the real owner or stole it. Why would they just take your word for it?

This post was edited on 12/31/22 at 3:25 pm

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Posted by Joe