I bought a seemingly legit boxed iPad Pro from 2022 from a seller who said they just didn't want it anymore. I did a bit of research, and while their profile seemed normal, I now suspect something's off because the device has AppleCare+, but the seller didn't mention getting it. I'm worried about what this means for my Apple ID. Is there any way to find out who the original owner of the AppleCare+ is? I'm also curious if my account is at risk since I activated the iPad. Will the original AppleCare buyer be notified about me using the device? Ideally, I'd want to help the original buyer find their iPad while still keeping it myself or getting my money back. In a less perfect scenario, I just worry about Apple causing issues for me.
4 Answers
If the iPad wasn't iCloud locked when you got it and you've been able to sign into iCloud, you should be fine. Just enjoy your iPad without worrying too much!
If the iPad was linked to someone else's Apple ID, you wouldn't have been able to set it up to begin with. Since you managed to set it up, it seems like everything is fine on that front. As for the AppleCare+, it really doesn't matter much. Apple devices usually come with a one-year warranty, and Apple's options for additional years can sometimes be transferred. Don't stress too much about it—nobody is going to get notified that you're using it. You're overthinking it a bit!
There are two types of AppleCare. If it was included with the original purchase, it's tied to the serial number for a limited period. If it’s a subscription, it's connected to the Apple ID. It sounds like the original buyer probably got the first type, which might still cover it, but you're clear to use it without hassle.
Honestly, the seller claimed it was legit, and if you couldn’t pick up any red flags during your research, it's not your fault. Just enjoy the device!
But what if the original person who bought AppleCare files a claim? They could find out somehow, right?