How to Deal with a Locked iPad Bought from Amazon?
Asked by
CuriousMarmot42
My friend's mom bought what was supposed to be a new iPad from Amazon a few months back, but she only just got around to setting it up. Unfortunately, it requires a password to even start it up. Since it's well past the return window, I'm wondering if there's a way to restore it to its original state or if it's completely unusable now. Any advice?
Answers
This could definitely be a case of a third-party seller not properly handling returns. I’d suggest she reach out to Amazon and explain what happened—they may still accept the return since it was misrepresented as new. If she runs into trouble, disputing the charge might be a backup plan. But don't let her sink too much effort into figuring this out; it’s their responsibility!
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It sounds like she might have been sold a returned or possibly stolen device. Amazon often doesn't check their returns thoroughly, so it could happen. I recommend contacting Amazon support directly about this—they might make an exception as it was listed as new and doesn’t fit that description. There’s a chance they could exchange it for her, even after the return window.
HelpfulHedgehog33: Absolutely agree! Often customer service is willing to help, especially if they know the item was misrepresented.
GadgetGuru78: Yeah, definitely worth a shot. They usually prioritize customer satisfaction if it's a genuine issue.
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Before anything, you need to clarify what kind of password is being asked for. Is it a device passcode, or is there an MDM (Mobile Device Management) prompt asking for a company login? If it's locked through MDM, it’s pretty much a lost cause since you can't bypass that lock. If it's just a normal passcode, a restore via iTunes might help, but you’ll probably end up needing the original owner’s details anyway.
RealWorldResponder: Good point! If it’s MDM, the iPad will just keep asking for that login no matter what you do.
TechieTroubleshooter: Exactly, make sure to check what kind of lock it is before anything else.
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Honestly, it’s not really her fault if it was listed as new but isn’t. If Amazon sold it like that, they should take responsibility. I think contacting support is key here. She should explain the situation—they often help out, even if it’s a bit late. If she bought it from a third-party seller, it might be tougher, but Amazon is usually pretty good about returns when something is misrepresented.
PracticalPal: Totally! It's fair to expect to get what you paid for. If it’s defective, it’s their problem.
HonestJoe22: Yeah, she has a good case. They have customer-friendly policies for this kind of situation!
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SkepticSeeker89: Exactly! If it’s just a hassle, she shouldn’t take it upon herself to fix it. Let Amazon handle it.
RealLifeWarrior: Right, she deserves her money back or a functional device for what she paid!