Unlocking an iPad Mini

[ImJustMadAboutSaffron]

I've got an iPad Mini that I bought late 2015, and have not used it - in fact I forgot I had it. I never set it up properly and haven't used it for anything at all, really.

I got it out today and plugged it in, charged it up and it asked me for the 4-digit passcode. I hadn't a clue. I tried ex's dob (wasn't an ex when I got the iPad) and another relevant date but these didn't work and it locked me out.

Now have no idea what to do. I have no other iPhone or Apple products, no AppleID or anything.

In the words of Sweet, I just haven't got a clue what to do.

Take it to the Apple shop? They might be able to help you if you can prove ownership.

Did you buy it brand new and it's been you who has set the passcode? If it's been a pre owned one and you aren't the person who hit past the basic language selection bit you might struggle to get into it if it's linked to someone else's Apple ID

Could it be the numbers that correspond to the letters on the numerical keypad so instead of being dates, it's a four letter word.

love = 5683
arse = 2773

Or a name of a pet or person close to you such as Paul = 7285

Debit card PIN number is one I know a few people use.

I'd contact Apple if you have no luck after trying words

@IrritableOwlSyndrome

Did you buy it brand new and it's been you who has set the passcode? If it's been a pre owned one and you aren't the person who hit past the basic language selection bit you might struggle to get into it if it's linked to someone else's Apple ID

Could it be the numbers that correspond to the letters on the numerical keypad so instead of being dates, it's a four letter word.

love = 5683
arse = 2773

Or a name of a pet or person close to you such as Paul = 7285

Debit card PIN number is one I know a few people use.

I'd contact Apple if you have no luck after trying words

No I bought it brand new and seriously would be here forever guessing what I put in as a passcode. I don't know how on earth I can prove ownership either, as it was bought in 2015. I doubt I can provide receipts from that far back. I bought it with birthday vouchers from John Lewis.

I know people in my local Vodafone shop, but not the Apple one, I've never had anything to do with Apple at all.

This is the step by step fix from apple’s website.

support.apple.com/en-gb/HT211078

As an aside, do you have a my John Lewis card? If you do, you might be able to see the receipt from when you bought it in your online account. I bought an iPad mini in store in 2016 and can still see my receipt.

@PyjamaMamma

This is the step by step fix from apple’s website.

support.apple.com/en-gb/HT211078

As an aside, do you have a my John Lewis card? If you do, you might be able to see the receipt from when you bought it in your online account. I bought an iPad mini in store in 2016 and can still see my receipt.

Interesting thanks so much! I will try this later in the week when I have a bit more time. Cheers!

@IrritableOwlSyndrome Bingo! - I've got in! I remembered I changed my debit card PIN about three years ago as my ex confronted me about how much money I had in my account and hadn't told him. He was not my ex then, and we didn't live together, and it was none of his business!

But thanks. I remembered what the PIN used to be - it was the cat's four letter name in numerical terms.

I'd never have thought of that!

[quote ImJustMadAboutSaffron]@IrritableOwlSyndrome Bingo! - I've got in! I remembered I changed my debit card PIN about three years ago as my ex confronted me about how much money I had in my account and hadn't told him. He was not my ex then, and we didn't live together, and it was none of his business!

But thanks. I remembered what the PIN used to be - it was the cat's four letter name in numerical terms.

I'd never have thought of that![/quote]
I feel like some kind of super hacker now

I'm so pleased you've managed to get into it though.

I reset the pin code on the iPad through the Apple ID. To do this, I connected the device to a PC via USB.