How to Bypass iPad Activation Lock in 6 Ways

Not everyone who wants an iPad buys one directly from Apple. Many shoppers pick up used models to save money, and some of those devices arrive with Activation Lock still attached to the previous owner’s account.

What is Activation Lock?

What is the Activation Lock on iPhone and iPad

You can also run into Activation Lock on your own iPad if you no longer have access to the Apple Account and password that were originally used to set up the device.

When Find My is enabled, Apple links that iPad to the owner’s Apple Account. That connection is what prevents another person from erasing the device and activating it as a new iPad without the correct credentials.

This guide walks through the common ways people try to deal with Activation Lock, including the previous owner route, Apple’s official ownership review, and several unofficial workarounds with different limits and risks.

1. Bypass iPad Activation Lock via LockAway

If you no longer have the Apple ID and password for the iPad, or you bought a used unit without those credentials, this is presented as the main third-party workaround in the article.

Bypass iPad Activation Lock in 20 mins

FREE DOWNLOAD

FREE DOWNLOAD

FREE DOWNLOAD

All the other methods need some information from the user but LockAway works perfectly well without any such information. It assists in unlocking the iPad or any other Apple device and also helps in solving many related issues.

Follow these steps carefully to use LockAway to fix the iCloud activation lock:

1. First, download the LockAway software from the official web page. Then, look for the downloaded file on your system.
2. After completing the download, wait for the Apple driver’s download as well and then launch it after completing the installation.
3. Some notes will be given. Read them and click "Start".
4. Use a lightning cable or a USB to connect the Apple device to the computer.
5. Check the Jailbreak Device tutorial carefully and perform the steps as given on the screen, step by step. Click “Next” when you have finished.
6. LockAway will now unlock the activation lock on your iPad without asking for any information like the ID or password.

Advantages:

1. Apple ID and password are not required in this fix. The user can apply it with little to no information about the iCloud credentials.
2. With a few clicks, you can log into the App Store instantly as you bypass the activation lock.
3. Repairing a device has never been easier. LockAway not only unlocks the activation lock but also solves many other similar issues in the iPad or other Apple devices.
4. All kinds of data loss are prevented by LockAway. You can unlock the iPad and also save your data instantly.
5. It offers full support for iPhone 5s-X and iOS 12.0 - 14.5

2. How to Bypass iPad Activation Lock Officially

You can remove the lock officially as well if you contact Apple support. Apple support can help you in removing the iCloud activation lock from the iPad. The problem is that you will have to prove to Apple that you are the owner of the device.

apple support

Apple will usually ask for proof of purchase before offering help with Activation Lock. If you cannot show legitimate ownership documents, Apple may refuse to remove the lock, especially for devices with unclear history.

Make an appointment at your nearest or local Apple Store. Take your iPad with you and bring the purchase record that shows you own the device.

Or you may contact Apple Support directly. Call Apple Support, explain the situation, and ask whether a consultant can help with the activation lock on your iPad. In some cases, that may solve the issue.

3. Bypass iPad Activation Lock using iCloud

This method still requires the Apple Account credentials tied to the iPad. It is mainly useful when the rightful owner is available to sign in, or when you legally have access to that account information and can remove the device from it.

To use this fix, you can do the subsequent steps：

1. Go the iCloud’s official website by using any device or computer and Click on iCloud sign in.
2. Use the owner's Apple ID and password to sign in to the iCloud.
3. Select the icon for Find iPad.


Remove Activation Lock on ipad with icloud find iphone

4. Note: Its name is Find My service; the name of this service has not been updated yet on iCloud.com, but it is available for all Apple users to log in to their devices.
5. Go to the map and open it. On this map, find and select the blue dot linked with the iPad you need to sign in to.
6. Select Erase iPad.


Remove Activation Lock on ipad via find my phone erase ipad

7. Finally, you will select "Delete from Account" in the dropdown options.


Remove Activation Lock on ipad with icloud remove from account

Note: This process effectively erases the iPad. Any local data that is not already backed up in iCloud, Finder, iTunes, or another backup service can be lost during the reset.

If no backup exists, you should assume the current data may be gone for good. For a secondhand iPad that you only want to set up as your own, that tradeoff may still be acceptable.

4. Turn off “Find my iPad”to Bypass iPad Activation Lock

This route only works when the previous owner is willing to help and can enter the account password tied to the iPad. If you do not have that cooperation, skip this method and use one of the other options in the guide.

To use this method, do the subsequent steps,

To get rid of the activation lock from your iPad, the solution is to turn off the "Find My iPad" from your phone's iCloud settings:

1. You will go to "Settings" on your Apple device.
2. At the top of Settings, tap on the owner’s name or the Apple ID.
3. In the options, tap iCloud.
4. Next, you will select the "Find my iPad" setting in the iCloud menu.
5. Tap on it once to turn the switch off.
6. The iPad will ask you to enter your password. You will continue by entering your iCloud password.
7. Enter your password in the textbox.

Once Find My is turned off with the correct account password, Activation Lock is removed as well. At that point, the iPad can be erased and set up again in the normal way.

5. Bypass iCloud Activation Lock on iPad via DNS

Some users also try a DNS-based workaround during setup. This is different from a true Activation Lock removal and should be treated as a limited workaround instead of a permanent fix.

In order to unlock the activation lock, you will need to reset some network settings of the device. This method works to some extent but it is not stable. To apply this fix, follow these steps:

1. First, select your country/region while you are setting up your device.
2. Then open the Wi-Fi selection screen, and click on "i".


icloud unlock free via DNS

3. In the given list of options, select "More Wi-Fi settings" Note: When applying this fix through these steps, you will not be able to connect to any Wi-Fi or other network, also, the SIM card of the device must be installed.
4. Select the "i" option again on the next screen.
5. Here, type one of the following IP addresses under the "DNS" section.

North America: 104.154.51.7

Asia: 104.155.220.58

Europe: 104.155.28.90

South America: 35.199.88.219

Other: 78.100.17.60

6. After carefully typing, in the top left corner of the screen, select the "Back" option to go back to the network settings.
7. Now, from the available options select your Wi-Fi network.
8. Enter your Wi-Fi password to connect to the Wi-Fi network.
9. Finally, on the next screen, select "Back"

Through this method, you can remove the IP address of the current Apple ID and then reset the iPad or remove its activation lock from the iCloud. However, there are a few disadvantages to this method.

Disadvantages:

1. You are at the potential risk of exposing the entire internet traffic (including the usernames and passwords of your device) to the DNS provider which is an unknown third party.
2. This method is only applicable to the software of iOS 8 to iOS 10, it supports these versions only. It is not functional for versions above or below iOS 8 or iOS 10. The newer versions of Apple have implemented security features to prevent this "attack".
3. Changing or updating the DNS settings can render a notable amount of the iPad's features faulty, unusable, or in few cases, it may permanently disable them as well. It also limits you to use only certain features of your iPad.
4. It is not a stable solution or fixes and your settings can revert back from the current settings to the original settings as soon as the DNS gets the IP address automatically using the internet.

6. Bypass iPad Activation Lock via Online Services

Google search can provide a solution to almost any problem that occurs with the devices or anything tangible and intangible in the world. Bypassing the activation lock of the iPad is just one of those things. However, due to easy availability, not all the sources are reliable.

There are many helpful tools available online but all of them may not be helpful or functional. Trying every one of these tips and techniques can be a huge hassle.