[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Dad can't use a computer at all anymore. He doesn't know his password to unlock it and neither does anyone else. Is there a way to do a complete device factory reset, without logging in to it first? If not I'll smash it with a hammer and send it to recycle. Again - this is for an IPAD. I don't know what year IPAD it is. I figured if the thing is useful enough I can load a few books on it and make it an emergency backup for when the power goes out.

[jimhoward]

If you google "factory reset of old ipad" or something similar, you will get instruction on how to do it. You either

1. Use an auxiliary computer with the Ipad powered on in recovery mode (follow the on-line instructions not mine)
2. or take it to the Apple store and let them do it.

If "old" means 5 years old it might be worth driving to the apple store next time you are headed to Orlando and recovering. If old means 10 years old, I'd go with the hammer option. But that is just me.

[spinner1001]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Dad can't use a computer at all anymore. He doesn't know his password to unlock it and neither does anyone else. Is there a way to do a complete device factory reset, without logging in to it first? If not I'll smash it with a hammer and send it to recycle. Again - this is for an IPAD. I don't know what year IPAD it is. I figured if the thing is useful enough I can load a few books on it and make it an emergency backup for when the power goes out.

You might call Apple Customer Service for help. Explain your situation.

Without a password, you need to be very careful to avoid bricking the device.

[Babubhat]

https://www.lifewire.com/reset-ipad-...sword-11771876

[CarlR33]

It should say on the back of the ipad what it is so you would be able to lookup on the Apple site if it’s still supported (i.e. gets iOS updates).

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

It should say on the back of the ipad what it is so you would be able to lookup on the Apple site if it’s still supported (i.e. gets iOS updates).

Huh - I guessed the passcode to unlock it. It's an iPad 8th generation, version 18.3.2. But again - I'm completely ignorant with regards to apple products - so -

The options I'm seeing are to reset network settings, subscriber services, keyboard dictionary, handwriting style, home screen layout, and location/privacy

OR

Erase all content and settings.

When I buy a new Android tablet, it comes with certain apps, such as weather, fitness, YouTube, Chrome web browser, etc.

I want this iPad to have whatever apple's version is most similar. So what do I want to do? Reset all the settings? OR erase all content and settings?

He has TONS of apps, most of which are music and subscription games that I know he loaded up on his own.

Ugh he backs everything up to iCloud. I'll have to delete all his cloud stuff. 288 photos and videos taking up 4GB of space - and of course Apple wants me to sign up for 12GB (for a fee)...

What a pain.

[Altavia]

If you want it to be a new to you iPad, "Erase all content and settings."

Then create your own Apple account during the initialization process.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Altavia

If you want it to be a new to you iPad, "Erase all content and settings."

Then create your own Apple account during the initialization process.

Thanks. Yeah I'm gonna use it as an e-reader.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Thanks. Yeah I'm gonna use it as an e-reader.

A few other ideas:

Don't Recycle It, Reuse It - 10 Clever Uses for Your Old iPad | GeeksChalk

[tophcfa]

I got a $75 credit on my new IPad when I traded in my 8 year old version. The authorized Apple Store scrubbed the trade in to insure my personal data was protected.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

I got a $75 credit on my new IPad when I traded in my 8 year old version. The authorized Apple Store scrubbed the trade in to insure my personal data was protected.

You couldn't pay me to get an iPad. I'm only taking this one because none of us in the family could decide what to do with it, and it still functions so it seemed a waste to throw it away. I have a brand new Samsung Galaxy tablet. I have no real need for the iPad. It's just an extra - a backup.

[splashes]

Take it MMD computer on 441 lady lake They should be able to help you out

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Try and focus here - read my actual words:

I HAVE NO INTEREST IN SWITCHING TO APPLE PRODUCTS. I'm sure it's the bee's knees for some of you. I'm not looking for recommendations, I'm not looking for your opinion of different operating services.

I am in possession of a device that I want to reset, but don't have the password to reset it. My thread is me, asking anyone who knows, how to do that.

I'm not asking how easy it is to switch. I don't care if iPads are better than Android tablets. I like what I like.

And so here is my current quandry. I had to charge the thing overnight, so this morning I set out to reset the iPad. But it's asking for my Apple Account Password, in order to turn off "Find My" and "Activation Lock." This device was my dad's. The e-mail and password related to it are my dad's. My dad has dementia and doesn't know the e-mail or password info anymore, and we couldn't find it written down anywhere.

So now I'm stuck again.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Altavia

If you want it to be a new to you iPad, "Erase all content and settings."

Then create your own Apple account during the initialization process.

I got to the part where I could click on "Erase all content and settings" and it brought me to a screen where I had to put in my father's Apple account password (not the device lock passcode, I already know that). I don't know what his account password is, and I can't access his e-mail to reset the password.

So I changed the phone number affiliated with the thing (dad's phone number was disconnected a year ago), and used my phone number to reset the account password. It's doing *something* right now, hopefully doing the factory reset. A lot of work to get this thing back to the out-of-box status.

SUCCESS! Now I just have to disable a bunch of apps and I'll be good to go. Gotta jump through hoops to do this, and like in everything - you'll be really inept, until you've done it a few times and failed. I definitely still love my 'Droid infinitely more than Apple. But again - it'll make a great e-reader.

Edited again: Good grief. I typed in a typo e-mail address, and it didn't check its validity first before continuing to the next step. The next step was a "we're sending you a code to that e-mail that doesn't exist because you typoed it, you have to type in that code to proceed" thing. So I had to backtrack and figure out how to reset the e-mail - again... blech. Android is infinitely easier to deal with. If you try and set something up using a non-existent e-mail address it'll tell you that it's a non-existent e-mail address - offer to create a new e-mail with that non-existent address, or try a different e-mail address.

[DonnaNi4os]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Dad can't use a computer at all anymore. He doesn't know his password to unlock it and neither does anyone else. Is there a way to do a complete device factory reset, without logging in to it first? If not I'll smash it with a hammer and send it to recycle. Again - this is for an IPAD. I don't know what year IPAD it is. I figured if the thing is useful enough I can load a few books on it and make it an emergency backup for when the power goes out.

Call Apple. They are very helpful and might be able to help you. (800) 275-2273