Unlock iPad Redux

Unlock iPad Redux: a reader asks…

Unlock iPad? I’ve read your instructions on the subject however I’m not feeling confident about being able to carry them out. If I take the iPad to an Apple Store can they unlock it for me?

The Apple Support Community has plenty of horror stories about how Genius Bar people won’t help unlock a ‘bricked’ iOS device. That said, you should probably start off by using chat or telephone support at https://getsupport.apple.com/ and see what they can do for you. Assuming you know the Apple ID that is associated with the iPad (such you being the original owner), then they can guide you through the forgotten password process. They might even be able to talk you through the process of getting your iPad unlocked. They may also have you make an appointment at the Genius Bar – just follow their lead.

I will tell you that how you approach the folks at Apple may largely determine how much help they give you. Manners, graciousness and humility work much better than anger, expectations and feeling entitled – particularly in this situation. If you think about it, your situation is pretty much the same as someone who steals an iPad – and Apple employees have no sympathy for thieves. Your possession of an iPad in no way obligates Apple to help you recover it when it’s been locked up, in part because Apple has no way of knowing that you are the legal owner of the device. Having a sales receipt and even the original owner’s Apple credentials (username and password) can help but really aren’t definitive.

And yes, you’ll need the Apple ID and password associated with the iPad. The reason is that since iOS version 7, Apple baked into their devices anti-theft features. The recovery process includes a step where you have to type in the original owner’s Apple ID and password to unlock and reset the device. If you don’t have that information, you’ll be unable to complete the process. If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID’s password, you can reset it here: https://iforgot.apple.com/password/verify/appleid#!&section=password. If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID (which is usually your email address), then you really can’t expect anyone to help you. Sorry but that’s just the way it is – we don’t live in a crime-free society, and being in possession of an iPad but not having that information puts you smack-dab in the middle of the profile of a criminal.