The latest iPad mini was released in 2021 and, like all the previous incarnations, had a feature called iCloud Activation Lock. The lock is part of the tablet’s security system which Apple calls Find My.
While bypassing iCloud Activation Lock is awkward, it is possible.
This easy-to-follow guide will explain how to bypass Activation Lock, also known as iCloud lock, on any iPad mini.
The topics covered include bypassing:
- A used tablet.
- Your own iPad.
- Using free techniques.
- Online.
- With tools.
The techniques discussed in this guide would also allow you to get around the iCloud lock on someone else iPad mini too.
Read on to find out the steps to get your iPad mini unlocked – even without the previous owner, or if you don’t know the Apple ID and password.
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So what is iCloud Activation Lock?
Apple introduced the Activation Lock to discourage the theft of iPads and other iOS devices. When you turn on Find My, Activation Lock is automatically enabled which iCloud locks your device.
The Find My app is a free service that helps find lost or stolen iPads. It also protects iPad mini devices from theft by remotely locking them and erasing all of their data.
So Activation Lock on iPad mini prevents anyone from using your tablet without your permission. This means that if you lose your tablet computer, it will be difficult for someone to use it because they will need to know your Apple ID password in order to unlock it.
To find out more about how the lock works, see Activation Lock on iPad.
iPad Mini iCloud bypass methods
There are many ways to remove the iCloud Activation Lock from an iPad mini, but only a couple of them are recommended by Apple.
The most straightforward technique that Apple suggests, is to use the Apple ID and password originally used to activate the iPad mini to turn off Find My and disable the iCloud lock. This method works if it is your own device or a used iPad mini you just bought and you can get in touch with the seller.
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There are also some other ways to bypass the Activation Lock covered in this article that is worth trying.
The iPad mini is a popular device, but due to its enhanced security, it is easy to get locked out.
There are many ways that you can bypass the Activation Lock on iPad. The eaiest way is by using a reputable unlocking service where the unlock is done for you. Another option is by using a computer and a third-party unlocking tool.
These methods allow you to bypass the iCloud Lock screen, wipe your device, reset the password, and set it up as your own.
On a pre-owned device
If you bought or inherited a used iPad mini, then you need to talk to the previous owner and ask them to remove the iCloud Activation Lock for you.
This can be done in person, or remotely.
If they have forgotten to do this before selling the iPad mini to you this request shouldn’t cause a problem. However, if they have sold you stolen goods and don’t know the Apple account credentials then this option option would not be possible.
Assuming the iPad mini is not stolen goods, you don’t need to worry about returning the device for them. They can remotely turn off the Activation Lock without having the phone in their possession:
- Go to appleid.apple.com.
- Sign in using the Apple ID and password.
- On the menu at the left, select Devices.
- Over on the right, select the iPad mini.
- Click Remove from account.
On your own device
If the iCloud Activation Lock prevents you from using your iPad mini, the official solution is to unlock it by providing your Apple account credentials to verify your identity.
If you can’t remember your Apple ID or password, you can go to Apples iForgot website to reset them. Simply follow the instructions and you can reset your account details.
If you forgot your Apple ID, you can find it in these ways:
- On another Apple product you own, go to iCloud or Media and purchases.
- On your Apple Mac look at System preferences.
- On Apple TV, you will find your Apple ID under Settings.
- On the Apple ID recovery page, click the link that says If you have forgotten your Apple ID, you can look it up.
For more information, see Apple ID password recovery.
Bypassing the lock yourself
If you can’t get in touch with the previous owner, or they are unable to unlock the iPad mini you can bypass the Activation Lock yourself using an activation lock bypass tool or service.
There are many companies online that claim they are able to bypass Activation Lock but my testing has shown they don’t work. You need to use a reputable company to avoid being scammed.
Types of scams to watch out for
- Fake tools.
- Online services that don’t work.
- PDF downloads with bogus instructions.
Price to unlock iCloud on iPad mini
Prices range from $10 USD to $50 USD to unlock iCloud on an iPad mini.
One trend we uncovered in pricing was the tendency for suppliers to break their fees into 2 parts:
- An initial deposit.
- A final payment.
It is in the supplier’s interest to look cheap, so they tend to keep the deposit low. Then they increase the price by charging a huge final fee which brings the overall cost up.
When we looked for the best iCloud tools and services, we took this into account.
Pros and cons of paying for an unlock
Pros
- Once unlocked, you can use your iPad mini normally.
- All functions and features work.
- You only ever need to do it once.
- No special technical skills are required.
Cons
- It is easy to be ripped off.
- You have to pay for the service.
- You have to wait for the work to be done – it is not immediate.
Free iCloud unlock
Bypassing the Activation Lock on an iPad mini for free is possible – by doing a DNS bypass as follows:
- Turn on your iPad mini.
- Select your language and region in the setup process.
- Click on the “i” symbol next to your WiFi name, when prompted to join a network.
- Click Configure DNS.
- Tap Manual and enter the DNS address nearest your location:
- USA: 104.154.51.7
- Europe: 104.155.28.90
- Asia: 104.155.220.58.
- South America: 35.199.88.219
- Australia and Oceania: 35.189.47.23
- Return to the WiFi screen and tap your network.
- On the iCloud Activation screen., tap Back.
- Your device will redirect you to the iCloud bypass site.
There are also a number of tools, services, and websites that claim to be able to remove Activation Lock for free. To find out about them, see Free iCloud Activation unlock tools.
Remove online
In a recent review, I tested a range of tools to find the best online iCloud bypass service that can remove the Activation Lock. I concluded the best service at this time was provided by DirectUnlocks.
At the time of writing, the unlock fee was £29.00 GBP, which is around $35 USD.
To unlock your iPad Pro using this service:
- Click this link: Service to get around iCloud Lock.
- Scroll down, then click the red Go to DirectUnlocks button to go to the website to begin the unlock.
- Provide the iPad mini serial number, or the IMEI (if it has one).
- Click Unlock iCloud!
- Agree to the terms of service and pay.
- Wait for an email confirming the unlock has been completed.
Hacking using a tool
There are many tools that claim to hack the Activation Lock so it is disabled or removed. They vary in quality from excellent to dangerous. If you pick the wrong one you can break your device and infect your computer with viruses or trojan horses, and open yourself up to fraud.
In our tests, we found iBypasser can hack the lock on the iPad mini by connecting it to your computer and running the unlocking process.
As well as working, iBypasser also has:
- A free trial.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- A brilliant user interface.
- High-quality support.
- Regular tool updates.
- Positive customer reviews.
To find out more, see Activation unlocking tool for iPad.
Removal without knowing the Apple ID or password
Activation Lock is a security feature used in many Apple products, including the iPad mini. When you activate your iPad it is added to your Apple account preventing any other Apple ID from activating or using the same device.
This means your iPad cannot be wiped, reset, and reactivated without your permission.
Activation Lock is part of Find My, the security app for Apple devices.
Find My is a free service that helps you find your lost or stolen iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. It uses GPS and Wi-Fi to show the location of your device on a map. You can also remotely lock your device so someone can’t use it and erase all the data on it.
To find out more, see How to bypass the Activation Lock without the Apple ID password.
Master bypass code
Apple tries to make it easy for businesses and schools to manage their stock of Apple products, such as iPads. They include a management suite that allows the organization to remotely control the devices given to their students or employees.
If you have a managed iPad Pro for example, then it can be controlled by the organization that gave it to you. Among other things, this allows organizations to remove the Activation Lock from supervised devices prior to device activation without knowing the userʼs personal Apple ID and password.
This is done by using an Activation Lock bypass code.
The bypass code does not work for all Apple devices, only for those controlled by an organization like a business or school. So if you have a standard iPad Pro you use at home, then you won’t be able to get rid of the Activation Lock using a bypass code as it is not a supervised device.
Wrap up
There is a huge demand to bypass the iCloud lock on iPadOS devices, such as the iPad mini. As a result, many scammers have appeared ready to rip potential clients off
If you want to be safe, I recommend you only use the official Apple methods to turn off iCloud Activation Lock. This means you need the correct Apple ID password.
If you can’t use the official Apple methods, then be careful and use one of the recommended suppliers in this guide to avoid being scammed.
