Hey everyone, I'm dealing with a tough situation here. My Uncle passed away last year, and before he died, he mentioned he would give his iPad passcode to my Aunt, who is also his legal next of kin. Unfortunately, he forgot to share the passcode before he passed, and my Aunt completely overlooked it. I've tried everything to recover the iPad—plugging it into different devices, trying to reset it, and going through all the recovery options Apple provides. Even though I have access to his old phone number, nothing seems to work. Apple has told me that I need a court order to get access to his device. Is it really this complicated? Is there no way to reset it without going through such extreme measures? Any advice on how to handle this would be really appreciated!
5 Answers
Sorry to hear about your situation, but Apple's strict about security for a reason. They're not really gatekeeping; they just take privacy very seriously. I'd recommend getting on board with the process they’ve laid out to regain access. It can seem excessive, but in the long run, it's meant to protect personal data.
This is how Apple protects users' privacy—it’s not just about gatekeeping. If you’re dealing with a deceased family member's account, you definitely need to take the proper steps they require. Make sure to have the death certificate and all necessary documentation ready when you visit the Apple Store.
No Apple Store can help you bypass this. Check out Apple's official support page on iCloud account recovery for more details. Unfortunately, since you need a court order, getting access to data this way is just the policy they enforce.
I appreciate the link! I must have missed it when I was searching for help earlier.
Yeah, it's true that you need a court order for this. Apple has strong security measures in place specifically to prevent unauthorized access to devices, which is why they recommend setting up a legacy contact beforehand. It's unfortunate that your Uncle didn't consider it, but those policies are there for privacy protection.
Thanks for clarifying that! I definitely get why Apple has these security measures, but it can be frustrating in situations like yours.
If it helps, consider starting the account recovery at iforgot.apple.com and check back after 24 hours for any updates. Sometimes you might not need the email link to complete the process. Just be persistent with it!
Great tip! I initiated the process again yesterday—fingers crossed it works this time!
I get your point. It feels frustrating, but I can see the benefits of strong security too. Thanks for your take!