[4 Ways] How to Activate iPhone iPad without Apple ID

Purchased a second-hand iPad that was locked or forgot your own Apple ID password? This guide will tell you how to activate iPhone and iPad without Apple ID.

Lena

By Lena / Updated on June 9, 2023

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How to Activate iPad without Apple ID and Password

I buy a second-hand iPad, how do I find the original owner or how could I unlock the iPad without Apple ID? Help me please.

- Question from Apple Community

 

How to Activate iPhone without Apple ID

I can’t open my little brother’s iPhone 8. I’ve reset because he forgot the passcode, it said that we need an apple id and password to unlock it. Please tell me how to unlock the iPhone without the apple id and the password.

- Question from Reddit

It’s certain that the activation lock is a great security measure that can help prevent others from accessing the information on the device. However, sometimes you can get locked out of your own iPhone or iPad.

  • You bought a second-hand iPhone so you do not know the Apple ID and password.
  • You forgot the Apple ID and password because you haven't used them for a long time.

Don’t worry too much, it’s possible to activate iPhone and iPad without Apple ID and password. Keep reading to learn more.

How to Activate iPhone/iPad without Apple ID and Password

Here are some methods that can help you activate iPhone or iPad without Apple ID. If you want to activate a second-hand iPhone/iPad, please refer to Way 2, Way 3 or Way 4.

Way 1. Reset Apple ID and Password

If you've forgotten your Apple ID or password, you can try resetting them on computer or another mobile device.

How to Reset Apple ID Password

1. Open a browser and go to https://appleid.apple.com/.

2. Choose Sign In > Select Forget Apple ID or password? option.

3. Enter your Apple ID and click Continue.

Enter Apple ID

4. Enter the phone number that you used to create the Apple ID.

5. You will receive a notification to reset your password > Tap Allow > Enter the iPhone/iPad passcode > Enter a new password and verify it.

How to Find Apple ID

1. Open a browser and go to https://appleid.apple.com/.

2. Choose Sign In > Select Forget Apple ID or password? option.

3. Select look it up option.

4. Enter your first name, last name and email address > Answer the security questions.

Find Apple ID

5. A confirmation email will be sent to your email address and you can click the link in the email to get your Apple ID and a new password.

Way 2. Ask the Previous Owner to Remove Activation Lock

If you bought a second-hand iPhone or iPad that has an Apple account logged in, you can first try to contact the previous owner and ask her or him to remove iCloud activation lock. She or he can follow the steps below to delete the Apple ID and password from iPhone or iPad.

1. Open a browser and go to https://www.icloud.com/find.

2. Log in with the Apple ID and password.

3. Select All Devices and select the iPhone or iPad.

4. Choose Erase iPhone or Erase iPad option > Click Erase to confirm.

Erase iPhone from iCloud

5. When the erase is finished, select Remove from Account. The device will be erased to factory settings and you can create your own Apple ID during the setup process.

Way 3. Activate Locked iPhone via DNS

If you can't get in touch with the previous owner, you can try to activate locked iPhone or iPad via DNS. It can help you remove the iCloud activation lock but cannot delete the Apple ID from the device.

1. Reset iPhone or iPad and set it up until you get to the Wi-Fi page.

How to reset iPhone: Settings > General > Reset (Transfer or Reset iPhone in iOS 15) > Erase All Content and Settings

2. Select the Wi-Fi settings > Tap the i symbol next to the Wi-Fi you are connected to.

Configure DNS

3. Tap on the DHCP tab > Enter one of the IP addresses according to your area.

  • USA: 104.154.51.7
  • South America: 35.199.88.219
  • Europe: 104.155.28.90
  • Asia: 104.155.220.58
  • Australia and Oceania: 35.189.47.23
  • Others: 78.100.17.60

4. Connect to Wi-Fi.

5. Tap the Back button and choose Activation Help. The device will connect to the bypass server and you can access the device.

Way 4. Ask Apple to Bypass the Activation Lock

If all the above methods fail to activate your locked iPhone or iPad, you can contact Apple support for help. As long as you can prove that you are the legal owner of the device, you can call or email Apple support and ask them to remove the Apple ID and password from the device.

  • The proof should be something like a purchase record, a receipt, or an email from the previous owner saying that she or he has transferred ownership of the device to you.
  • You can go to Apple Support page https://support.apple.com/ to contact Apple support.

Contact Apple Support

Final Words

That’s all about how to activate iPhone/iPad without Apple ID and password. If you forgot Apple ID and password, you can try to reset them. If you have a second-hand iPhone or iPad, you can ask the previous owners or Apple support to delete the Apple ID from the device.

PS: If you want to transfer photos, music, and videos to your iPhone/iPad easily, you can let FoneTool, an easy-to-use iOS data management tool to help you make it.

For more queries, suggestions, and feedback, please feel free to contact us.