How do I turn off activation lock on iPad without password?

Find out what to do if you see the Activation Lock screen on your device, or if you're asked to remove Activation Lock on a device that's offline and not in your possession.

Remove Activation Lock on the device

Remove Activation Lock on the web if a device is offline

1. Go to www.iCloud.com/find.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
3. At the top, click All Devices.
4. Select the device that you want to remove from iCloud.
5. Click Remove from Account.

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Published Date: September 20, 2021

Find My includes Activation Lock — a feature that's designed to prevent anyone else from using your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch if it's ever lost or stolen. Activation Lock is turned on automatically when you set up Find My on your device.

Activation Lock helps you keep your device secure, even if it’s in the wrong hands, and can improve your chances of recovering it. Even if you erase your device remotely, Activation Lock can continue to deter anyone from reactivating your device without your permission. All you need to do is keep Find My turned on, and remember your Apple ID and password. 

• With watchOS 2 and later, you can use Activation Lock to protect your Apple Watch. 
• With macOS Catalina or later, and Mac computers that have the Apple T2 Security Chip or Apple silicon, you can use Activation Lock to protect your Mac too.

Here’s how it works

Each time an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch or Mac computer that has an Apple T2 security chip or Apple silicon is activated or recovered, the device contacts Apple to check whether Activation Lock is turned on. 

Activation Lock is turned on automatically when you set up Find My.* After it's been turned on, Apple will securely store your Apple ID on its activation servers and link it to your device. Your Apple ID password or device passcode will be required before anyone can turn off Find My, erase your device or reactivate and use your device. 

* Find out how Activation Lock works for devices enrolled in Mobile Device Management

If your device is lost or stolen

If you ever misplace your device — whether it's lost or you think it may have been stolen — you should immediately use Mark As Lost in the Find My app.

Mark As Lost will lock your screen with a passcode and let you display a custom message with your phone number to help you get it back. You can also remotely erase your device if needed. Your custom message will continue to be displayed even after the device has been erased.

While Activation Lock works in the background to make it more difficult for someone else to use or sell your missing device, Lost Mode will clearly display to anyone who finds your device that it still belongs to you and can't be reactivated without your password.

Find out what to do if your device is lost or stolen

If you forget your Apple ID or password

Check for Activation Lock before you buy a device from someone else

Before you buy an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch from someone other than Apple or an Apple Authorised Reseller, make sure the device has been erased and is no longer linked to the previous owner's account.

On a device with iOS or iPadOS 15 or later that is protected by Activation Lock, you'll see an "iPhone Locked to Owner" screen when you turn on or wake the device. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad or iPod touch if it's protected by Activation Lock. 

If you haven't seen that screen, follow these steps to check if the device is ready to use: 

1. Turn on and unlock the device. 
2. If the passcode Lock Screen or the Home Screen appears, the device hasn't been erased. Ask the seller to follow the steps below to completely erase the device. Don’t take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad or iPod touch until it’s been erased.
3. Begin the device setup process.
4. If you’re asked for the previous owner’s Apple ID and password, the device is still linked to their account. Hand the device back to the seller and ask them to enter their password. If the previous owner isn't present, contact them as soon as possible and ask them to use a browser to remove the device from their account. Don't take ownership of any used iPhone, iPad or iPod touch until it has been removed from the previous owner's account.

A device is ready for you to use when you see the Hello screen.

Published Date: November 29, 2022

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