I'm in a bit of a bind. My fiancée has been using an iPad that her ex gifted her three years ago, and now she's constantly getting password confirmation notifications. I thought it would be nice to create a new Apple ID for her as a Christmas gift, complete with apps like Procreate and Notability pre-purchased. However, I quickly discovered that I can't do a factory reset without her ex's Apple ID password. I really don't want to reach out to her ex, as he was abusive, and I'm concerned about the potential consequences. The 'Find My iPad' feature has been on for ages, so I believe it's not a stolen device since they can verify that if needed. Plus, the iPad's PIN is set to her birthday. Is there any way around this?
3 Answers
Unfortunately, if the iPad is Activation Locked to your fiancée's ex, there's not much you can do unless he releases it or you have the original proof of purchase. Having 'Find My' enabled doesn't help in this case, and it could pose a risk if he can track her. A new device might be the safest route to avoid any hassle with the ex.
Without the proof of purchase, you're basically stuck. The best option would be to buy a new iPad and skip the drama altogether. It's worth considering since the old one could always be a potential issue.
At this point, I'd say just get a new iPad. I understand the frustration, especially with how Apple handles these situations. I'm tempted to have a friend break into the old one because I don't want to give Apple another $1100. Thanks for everyone's input!
I get the frustration, but remember that if the iPad was stolen, you'd want that feature to protect your data. Just be careful with the whole cracking idea; it might not be easy!