Company iPad is activation locked. Will Apple unlock it with proof of purchase?

[mossme89]

Trying to help my dad. He's trying to setup an iPad. The iPad is owned by the fed gov and was used by a former employee. That employee left but didn't fully reset the iPad so there's an activation lock on it and he can't use it. It's basically a brick. They haven't responded to him about the password.

If my dad got the proof of purchase receipt and went to the Apple Store, do you think they would remove the activation lock?

 

[Richdmoore]

Trying to help my dad. He's trying to setup an iPad. The iPad is owned by the fed gov and was used by a former employee. That employee left but didn't fully reset the iPad so there's an activation lock on it and he can't use it. It's basically a brick. They haven't responded to him about the password.

If my dad got the proof of purchase receipt and went to the Apple Store, do you think they would remove the activation lock?

If it's owned by the federal government whatever agency's IT department who owns it should be dealing with it. (Of course, I would assume they would have been managing the iPad previously as well.)

Most large companies (including Apple) have specific people to handle government purchases/contracts/services.

I feel like there is more to this story.

Activation lock can be removed by Apple for normal purchases, so it should be technically possible with government purchases.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Not knowing what could be on the device, I am not so sure Apple should unlock a government iPad just because you have a receipt.

 

[Richdmoore]

Not knowing what could be on the device, I am not so sure Apple should unlock a government iPad just because you have a receipt.

The activation lock prevents it from being used after a reformat/wiping. It is basically anti theft protection.

The passcode prevents anyone (even Apple) from accessing the data on the device.

The only data on a particular iPad that Apple would have access to would be in the form of iCloud backups on Apple servers.

If Apple is willing to release the activation lock (which they will sometimes do with proof of purchase) it simply allows the iPad to be set as new. None of the data can be restored (except from an existing backup using the backup password (of set) or iCloud account.

 

[Newtons Apple]

The activation lock prevents it from being used after a reformat/wiping. It is basically anti theft protection.

The passcode prevents anyone (even Apple) from accessing the data on the device.

The only data on a particular iPad that Apple would have access to would be in the form of iCloud backups on Apple servers.

If Apple is willing to release the activation lock (which they will sometimes do with proof of purchase) it simply allows the iPad to be set as new. None of the data can be restored (except from an existing backup using the backup password (of set) or iCloud account.

No matter, I do not think Apple should unlock a government iPad because someone walks in with a receipt. Period.

 

[chrfr]

I would certainly expect that a government organization that lost access to their iOS device would go through their channels to Apple that don't involve a retail store for unlocking. It's not as if they'll have bought the device from a store anyway. I agree that the original question doesn't quite pass the smell test.

 

[jtara]

Who is your dad:

x Jarod Kushner
x Donald Trump, Jr.
x James Mattis
x Steven Mnuchin
x Jeff Sessions
x Mike Pompeo
x Michael Flynn
x Other

Too many things here don't pass the smell test.

- Big companies, government agencies, and schools almost all manage their devices via a central server. They can unlock it/reset it themselves.

- Smaller companies/smaller schools still manage their devices, using Apple Configurator 2. They have to plug the device in to a computer via USB, which is less convenient. But if managed, it can be unlocked/reset if it is being managed.

Without the above, it would take a lot of unnecessary labor to maintain a bunch of devices.

You have the receipt? Really? So your dad went to purchasing and they produced a receipt for them? For this iPad and 999 more?

Contact IT. They will take care of it.

The ex-employee would probably be violating the law, or at least agency policy, to give out the password to anybody, even an employee who "inherited" the device. I don't blame him for not giving the password. He is doing the right thing. Heck, even if somebody in IT asked for the password, I would question it, and insist that they get permission from my supervisor. IT shouldn't need the password. If they ask for it, there is something fishy.

 

[0007776]

I’m assuming you mean that it was purchased from a government entity selling off unneeded tech. If that is the case then go back to the person you bought it from, assuming it was a legitimate sale they should be able to get their IT department to unlock it. If it was issued at work he can go directly to the IT department.

 

[jtara]

I’m assuming you mean that it was purchased from a government entity selling off unneeded tech. If that is the case then go back to the person you bought it from, assuming it was a legitimate sale they should be able to get their IT department to unlock it. If it was issued at work he can go directly to the IT department.

The iPad is owned by the fed gov

 

[superheroux]

I work with iPads in an education setting and have dealt with this before. If the iPad was purchased through a business/government portal, the tech support responsible for the management of the iPad will have to make a request and provide Apple with a proof of purchase. This process takes up to 10 days to complete. If they use a MDM it may be possible for the support people to clear the activation lock on their own. Either way you will need assistance.

 

[digitalexplr]

Exactly who sold the iPad to your dad?

 

[mossme89]

Who is your dad:

x Jarod Kushner
x Donald Trump, Jr.
x James Mattis
x Steven Mnuchin
x Jeff Sessions
x Mike Pompeo
x Michael Flynn
x Other

Too many things here don't pass the smell test.

- Big companies, government agencies, and schools almost all manage their devices via a central server. They can unlock it/reset it themselves.

- Smaller companies/smaller schools still manage their devices, using Apple Configurator 2. They have to plug the device in to a computer via USB, which is less convenient. But if managed, it can be unlocked/reset if it is being managed.

Without the above, it would take a lot of unnecessary labor to maintain a bunch of devices.

You have the receipt? Really? So your dad went to purchasing and they produced a receipt for them? For this iPad and 999 more?

Contact IT. They will take care of it.

The ex-employee would probably be violating the law, or at least agency policy, to give out the password to anybody, even an employee who "inherited" the device. I don't blame him for not giving the password. He is doing the right thing. Heck, even if somebody in IT asked for the password, I would question it, and insist that they get permission from my supervisor. IT shouldn't need the password. If they ask for it, there is something fishy.

Whoa whoa. No he's a USDA guy. Good point, I think it was just left on his desk and he asked me for tech help. He can prob go through official channels.
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I work with iPads in an education setting and have dealt with this before. If the iPad was purchased through a business/government portal, the tech support responsible for the management of the iPad will have to make a request and provide Apple with a proof of purchase. This process takes up to 10 days to complete. If they use a MDM it may be possible for the support people to clear the activation lock on their own. Either way you will need assistance.

I know they have an acquisitions team. Will have him contact them.