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Device Bricked due to Activation Lock

D

djchris125

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 12, 2013
4
0
hey guys ive got a ipad 3. set it up at the start of the summer. last night it locked out.
my ipad is stuck on the activation screen. ive contacted apple and neither the apple care or developer help, will help. any ideas?

Chat Transcript

Thursday, September 12, 2013 10:33 PM
Duration: 90 minutes 48 seconds

Samantha:
Thanks for contacting AppleCare chat support. My name is Samantha. Please give me a moment to review your information.

Samantha:
Hi Christopher, here is your case number in case our chat is unexpectedly disconnected, 504189783. How are you doing today?

christopher:
hi ive got an ipad but it will not activate

christopher:
i keep gettig this message

christopher:
Activate iPad

This iPad is currently linked to an Apple ID (a●●●●●@icloud.com). Sign in with the Apple ID that was used to set up this iPad.

Samantha:
Oh goodness! I understand how that could be confusing, I will do my best to help you out with this today. When you started the set up were you able to sign in with the correct Apple ID?

christopher:
after language, network and location. it comes up with that message. ive tried to sign in with my id but all i get is (my id) cannot be used to unlock this iPad.

Samantha:
Alright is that the only apple ID you have?

christopher:
yes thats the strange thng about it

Samantha:
Are you able to log out of that apple ID in settings or are you stuck on a certain page?

christopher:
its stuck

Samantha:
Are you able to use that Apple ID on other devices?

christopher:
yeah its working fine

christopher:
its just the ipad will not get past this activation screen on the inital setup

christopher:
or through itunes

Samantha:
I see, have you tried to restart it and try again?

christopher:
yes ive tried that

christopher:
ive even done a restore on it

Samantha:
What version of iOS did you have before the restore?

christopher:
ios7

christopher:
i am a registered developer

Samantha:
Oh OK, in that case you'd want to contact developer support to troubleshoot that. You can go to the website, developer.apple.com.

christopher:
ive contacted them and i got this response:

christopher:
Hello Developer,

Thank you for contacting Apple Developer Technical Support. We provide support for code-level questions on hardware & software development, and are unable to help you with your question.

Samantha:
One moment while I look into what we can do for you.

Samantha:
Alright, do you have another computer you can try the restore on in DFU mode?

Samantha:
It could be that when you do the restore on that computer it's not restoring the correct software it's still doing iOS 7.

Samantha:
Are you still there?

christopher:
yes im trying to put it into dfu mode but im having dificulty

Samantha:
Oh alright. To put it into DFU mode close iTunes, then reopen it. With the device still connected to the computer, press and hold both the Home button and the ON/OFF button for ten seconds. After ten seconds, release the ON/OFF button, but keep holding Home until iTunes prompts you to restore.

christopher:
its restoring

Samantha:
Alright is it on a different computer?

christopher:
yes

Samantha:
OK, I cannot guarantee that will work. It may not, but it's worth a shot for you. I apologize for you having to go back and forth with Developer and us.

christopher:
is there a chance this could be a permanent problem and the ipad will be unusable?

christopher:
ok its got to the same place

christopher:
and the same message

christopher:
This iPad is currently linked to an Apple ID (a●●●●●@icloud.com). Sign in with the Apple ID that was used to set up this iPad.

Samantha:
If this doesn't work for you, once the new update comes out on the 18th it should be resolved for you. You'll just need to do that update.

christopher:
if i still have this problem on the 18th what would be the best thing for me to do?

Samantha:
Alright we will need to try the restore after deleting the .ispw file on the new computer.

Samantha:
If for some reason the iPad is permanently disabled it would void your Apple-One Year Limited Warranty because unauthorized software caused the issue. However, I don't believe that will happen once you can update to the iOS 7 after it's released the problem should be resolved.

Samantha:
We can try going onto the computer and deleting the .ispw file first though. Are you on a mac or pc?

christopher:
mac.

christopher:
how is it unauthorized software?

Samantha:
Because iOS 7 is unreleased to the public it is a beta software and is considered a unauthorized modification. The Developer Program License Agreement states that "Apple shall not be responsible for any costs, expenses or other liabilities You may incur as a result of provisioning Your Authorized Test Devices and Registered Devices, Your Application development or the installation or use of this Apple Software, including but not limited to any damage to any equipment, software or data."

christopher:
ok

christopher:
im just downloading a new .
ispw

Samantha:
OK you already know where to delete that at and get a new one?

christopher:
im trying another computer ive never pluged the ipad into

Samantha:
OK great.

christopher:
same issue

Samantha:
Alright did you try it in DFU mode?

christopher:
yes

Samantha:
Was that a mac or pc?

christopher:
it was a mac

Samantha:
What version of OX is on there?

Samantha:
OS*

christopher:
osx 10.8.4
itunes 11.0.2

Samantha:
Alright to delete the .ispw file we will want to go to into Finder, and hold down the Option key while you click Go on the menu bar at the top of your screen.

Samantha:
If that doesn't make sense let me know.

christopher:
ok

Samantha:
Then you should be able to click on the iTunes folder.

christopher:
ye

christopher:
ipad software updates

christopher:
?

Samantha:
Then click on the iPad Software updates and delete the .ispw file in there.

Samantha:
That's correct.

christopher:
ok deleted and trash mt

Samantha:
Alright, now we'll need quit iTunes and empty your trash can.

Samantha:
Open iTunes back up, and make sure the phone is in DFU mode then we'll try the restore again.

christopher:
ok downloading

Samantha:
Alright.

christopher:
same issue

Samantha:
Oh OK, since that didn't work for you it may be that we just need to wait until you can update to iOS 7 on the 18th.

christopher:
ok.

christopher:
thanks

Samantha:
No problem Christopher. I hope you have a great rest of your day though!

Samantha:
If there's nothing else I can help you with please click the End Chat button. Thanks for contacting Apple! 

and finally i would like to state that the ipad is not stolen and would anyone be stupid enough to steal an ipad and ask about it on here.
 
Last edited:
Hmmm, this is a security feature to prevent stolen iPads / iPhones being wiped. Why wouldn't apple be able to reset your password over the phone, provided you have proof of ownership?
 
djchris125 said:
hey guys ive got a ipad 3. set it up at the start of the summer. last night it locked out. and do you think i can remember the apple id or password.
my ipad is stuck on the activation screen. ive contacted apple and neither the apple care or developer help, will help. any ideas?
Click to expand...

Apple probably won't help because they don't know whether it's actually YOUR iPad, or it could be stolen.

To be honest...not knowing your Apple ID and password is a trifle suspicious...:rolleyes:
 
i was with you until you said you forgot your apple ID and password. How do you forget your password? You need it to download apps
 
A newbie asking how to get around activation lock with an elaborate "I locked myself out of my iPad" story. And as for not remembering your Apple ID? Well.

Colour me suspicious ...
 
danb77 said:
Hmmm, this is a security feature to prevent stolen iPads / iPhones being wiped. Why wouldn't apple be able to reset your password over the phone, provided you have proof of ownership?
Click to expand...

They don't do that anymore. The last time they did it, it was to a well known blogger and the person impersonating him wiped all the blogger's devices. :)

OK - I'm playing fast and loose with the details.

Edit: Found the story.
 
djchris125 said:
hey guys ive got a ipad 3. set it up at the start of the summer. last night it locked out. and do you think i can remember the apple id or password.
my ipad is stuck on the activation screen. ive contacted apple and neither the apple care or developer help, will help. any ideas? will add transcript of apple care chat when it becomes avalible
Click to expand...

How can you not remember you apple id? It's your primary email address?
 
kamalaggi said:
How can you not remember you apple id? It's your primary email address?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily true. My primary email address is now @me.com... Which you can not make your Apple ID. That being said, it shouldn't be that hard to figure out.
 
Shrink said:
I'm not clear on what iOS 7 has to do with remembering one's Apple ID and password?:confused:
Click to expand...

With ios7 if you do a factory reset it will ask for the apple id/password that was last used on the device when trying to activate. This is a new security feature.
 
canzil said:
To restore the iPhone will not be required Apple ID and password or I'm wrong?
Click to expand...

Before you do a restore it will ask you to disable find my iPhone which requires your apple id/password and after restore it will ask you for same apple id/password when it comes to activating the iPhone.

It's the same with DFU mode except it will only ask for apple id/password when activating.

If you use a different apple id/password activation will fail and in iTunes it won't let you enter a different apple id.
 
djchris125 said:
hey guys ive got a ipad 3. set it up at the start of the summer. last night it locked out. and do you think i can remember the apple id or password.
my ipad is stuck on the activation screen. ive contacted apple and neither the apple care or developer help, will help. any ideas? will add transcript of apple care chat when it becomes avalible
Click to expand...

Go to http://appleid.apple.com

Then click on "Manage Your Apple ID".
On the next page click on the link that says "Forgot your Apple ID?"

Then put in your name and your current and prior emails and it will try and find your login.
 
kamalaggi said:
Before you do a restore it will ask you to disable find my iPhone which requires your apple id/password and after restore it will ask you for same apple id/password when it comes to activating the iPhone.

It's the same with DFU mode except it will only ask for apple id/password when activating.

If you use a different apple id/password activation will fail and in iTunes it won't let you enter a different apple id.
Click to expand...

this is true as i did dfu mode to get my ipad back to ios6 then sold it before i logged out of iCloud and now it's locked to the poor person who has it now.

to the op apple will not unlock it for you,no way.
 
iapplelove said:
this is true as i did dfu mode to get my ipad back to ios6 then sold it before i logged out of iCloud and now it's locked to the poor person who has it now.

to the op apple will not unlock it for you,no way.
Click to expand...

You either didn't do DFU or you restored from
a backup afterwards.

DFU restores don't require password/appleid.
IOS 6 does not even have the advanced security options.

Lots of people confuse DFU and recovery mode
 
TriJetHero said:
You either didn't do DFU or you restored from
a backup afterwards.

DFU restores don't require password/appleid.
IOS 6 does not even have the advanced security options.

Lots of people confuse DFU and recovery mode
Click to expand...

I did put it in dfu mode and restored from my last ios6 backup for a few days before I wiped that clean then sold it. I tried getting mine back saying once who ever updated to ios7 the device will be useless but the store didnt want to believe me.
 
TriJetHero said:
You either didn't do DFU or you restored from
a backup afterwards.

DFU restores don't require password/appleid.
IOS 6 does not even have the advanced security options.

Lots of people confuse DFU and recovery mode
Click to expand...

Anytime you do a DFU or normal restore from an ios 7 device with find my iphone enabled...during activation it will ask you for the appleID even if restoring back to ios 6.
 
imaginex20 said:
Anytime you do a DFU or normal restore from an ios 7 device with find my iphone enabled...during activation it will ask you for the appleID even if restoring back to ios 6.
Click to expand...

I'm positive it never did. It allowed me to dfu restore back to ios6 and I wasn't thinking before I sold it. I tried fixing the problem for the new owner cause I know with my situation it will be locked for them but the public does not understand the concept of a activation lock yet .
 
Carlanga said:
IDK... afaik it's only w/ iOS7.
Click to expand...

Activation lock is activated on iOS 7, and when and if you try to downgrade to iOS 6 through DFU mode, during activation it'll detect that activation lock is enabled and make you plug into iTunes to enter the username and password to continue with activation process. How I know? I tried it my damn self.

As far as the original poster goes, clearly it's a stolen device. If he cannot figure out this own iCloud username and password from the a****@icloud.com then it's stolen. Even if he had access to that email he can reset the password and re-enter it, clearly it is not his iCloud account.
 
imaginex20 said:
Activation lock is activated on iOS 7, and when and if you try to downgrade to iOS 6 through DFU mode, during activation it'll detect that activation lock is enabled and make you plug into iTunes to enter the username and password to continue with activation process. How I know? I tried it my damn self...
Click to expand...
good to know...
 
Did I miss something? Where does OP say he does not know the apple ID or password? Or are we implying that because OP's name starts with a 'C', and the Apple ID starts with an 'A', that it is not his apple ID?

christopher:
after language, network and location. it comes up with that message. ive tried to sign in with my id but all i get is (my id) cannot be used to unlock this iPad.

Samantha:
Alright is that the only apple ID you have?

christopher:
yes thats the strange thng about it

Samantha:
Are you able to log out of that apple ID in settings or are you stuck on a certain page?

christopher:
its stuck

Samantha:
Are you able to use that Apple ID on other devices?

christopher:
yeah its working fine
Click to expand...

Edit: Nevermind, looks like the OP edited his post and removed the part where he cannot remember his apple ID.
 
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