Can you erase an Ipad if you don't know the password? If you get someone else Ipad can you just erase everything and start fresh like it's yours? The neighbor left his Ipad on top of...

BebuLamar

If you get someone else Ipad can you just erase everything and start fresh like it's yours? The neighbor left his Ipad on top of his car and drove away so it dropped somewhere. He posted signs asking people to return it. I wonder if someone got his Ipad can they use it? Because if they can I don't think they will return it to him especially he doesn't offer a reward.

Schoee Loc: Europe

BebuLamar wrote:

If you get someone else Ipad can you just erase everything and start fresh like it's yours? The neighbor left his Ipad on top of his car and drove away so it dropped somewhere. He posted signs asking people to return it. I wonder if someone got his Ipad can they use it? Because if they can I don't think they will return it to him especially he doesn't offer a reward.

No. You need password to unlock and wipe or it stays locked to a particular Apple ID.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

BebuLamar wrote:

If you get someone else Ipad can you just erase everything and start fresh like it's yours? The neighbor left his Ipad on top of his car and drove away so it dropped somewhere. He posted signs asking people to return it. I wonder if someone got his Ipad can they use it? Because if they can I don't think they will return it to him especially he doesn't offer a reward.

I just did that twice to an old iPad for my friend but you do need the password for the existing Apple ID.
Perhaps if you went online and asked that same question you’d probably get more answer’s than you need.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

You might impress upon your friend to call Apple help. Period, end of subject.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Love the joke!

srt101fan

BebuLamar wrote:

If you get someone else Ipad can you just erase everything and start fresh like it's yours? The neighbor left his Ipad on top of his car and drove away so it dropped somewhere. He posted signs asking people to return it. I wonder if someone got his Ipad can they use it? Because if they can I don't think they will return it to him especially he doesn't offer a reward.

Your cynicism is depressing....☹️

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT211078#:~:text=If%20you%20can't%20remember,and%20settings%20from%20a%20backup.

BebuLamar

srt101fan wrote:

Your cynicism is depressing....☹️

What cynicism??? I stated the fact and I pretty much that will happen. He won't get his Ipad back.

Schoee Loc: Europe

TriX wrote:

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT211078#:~:text=If%20you%20can't%20remember,and%20settings%20from%20a%20backup.

Note if ‘Find My’ is enabled you still need iCloud password even when doing the procedure described here. The Find My system was supposed to make stealing iPad or iPhone less attractive because you can’t wipe and sell as a clean device. That is why so many are sold for parts, because they are stolen.

srt101fan

BebuLamar wrote:

What cynicism??? I stated the fact and I pretty much that will happen. He won't get his Ipad back.

That's cynicism.....

GEngel-usmc Loc: Spencerport NY - I miss Lakeland, FL

BebuLamar wrote:

If you get someone else Ipad can you just erase everything and start fresh like it's yours? The neighbor left his Ipad on top of his car and drove away so it dropped somewhere. He posted signs asking people to return it. I wonder if someone got his Ipad can they use it? Because if they can I don't think they will return it to him especially he doesn't offer a reward.

Tell him to call 1800myapple and ask AppleCare support for remote erasing his lost iPad.

BebuLamar

GEngel-usmc wrote:

Tell him to call 1800myapple and ask AppleCare support for remote erasing his lost iPad.

I don't think he wants to erase his Ipad but rather to get it back. My question is if someone who got his Ipad can they erase and use it. I guess the answer is no. Still I think his chance of getting it back is slim and none.

Boris77

BebuLamar wrote:

If you get someone else Ipad can you just erase everything and start fresh like it's yours? The neighbor left his Ipad on top of his car and drove away so it dropped somewhere. He posted signs asking people to return it. I wonder if someone got his Ipad can they use it? Because if they can I don't think they will return it to him especially he doesn't offer a reward.

How will someone else know who it belongs to?
Boris

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Boris77 wrote:

How will someone else know who it belongs to?
Boris

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201472#:~:text=Find%20your%20iPhone%20or%20iPad,until%20you%20find%20it%20again.

If it’s on and within range of an internet connection, you can find the location, show it as lost, display a message on the screen, play a loud sound and lock and if necessary, erase it.

Boris77

TriX wrote:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201472#:~:text=Find%20your%20iPhone%20or%20iPad,until%20you%20find%20it%20again.

If it’s on and within range of an internet connection, you can find the location, show it as lost, display a message on the screen, play a loud sound and lock and if necessary, erase it.

"If it is on"!!! just call them electronically.
If not on??? Check for fingerprints?
Boris