Unknown PIN for iPad

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xpd

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#304141 8-Apr-2023 09:01

I've been asked if I can help with accessing an iPad of a family member that passed away recently.

He was using fingerprint usually to access it, but after a full restart it prompts for a PIN first. We do not know what the PIN is.

Weve been through all his note books etc and no go.... tried doing password resets for his Icloud account which go.... to the iPad :(

What would Apples stance be on this - too bad ? Or might they help with proof of his passing ?

All his life was on this thing so dont want to do a recovery on it, and no, he didnt have a backup as the iPad was his only piece of tech.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Andib

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#3060280 8-Apr-2023 09:28

Apple won’t give you or reset the pin. At most (with proof of death) they will bypass iCloud and let you reset & reuse the device.

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FineWine

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#3060281 8-Apr-2023 09:52

Apples support document:

How to request access to a deceased family member's Apple account

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

waikariboy

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#3060284 8-Apr-2023 10:26

xpd:

I've been asked if I can help with accessing an iPad of a family member that passed away recently.

He was using fingerprint usually to access it, but after a full restart it prompts for a PIN first. We do not know what the PIN is.

Weve been through all his note books etc and no go.... tried doing password resets for his Icloud account which go.... to the iPad :(

What would Apples stance be on this - too bad ? Or might they help with proof of his passing ?

All his life was on this thing so dont want to do a recovery on it, and no, he didnt have a backup as the iPad was his only piece of tech.

my understanding if you can provide proof to apple with the passing of you loved one, they should be able to help.

Balm its gone!

wellygary

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#3060291 8-Apr-2023 11:23

xpd:

I've been asked if I can help with accessing an iPad of a family member that passed away recently.

He was using fingerprint usually to access it, but after a full restart it prompts for a PIN first. We do not know what the PIN is.

Weve been through all his note books etc and no go.... tried doing password resets for his Icloud account which go.... to the iPad :(

What would Apples stance be on this - too bad ? Or might they help with proof of his passing ?

All his life was on this thing so dont want to do a recovery on it, and no, he didnt have a backup as the iPad was his only piece of tech.

You're out of luck,

Apple will provide access to the iCloud account, and will allow re-use of the device, but only after the device is reset... Sorry..

From the Apple link

"Apple provides options for their loved ones to request access to or delete their Apple ID and the data stored with it.

While we may also be able to help remove Activation Lock from devices that use your loved one’s original Apple ID, their iPhone, iPod, and iPad will need to be restored to factory settings before they can be used with another Apple ID. Please note that devices locked with a passcode are protected by passcode encryption, and Apple can't help remove the passcode lock without erasing the device."

MrGadget

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#3060308 8-Apr-2023 13:07

Good reminder to set up digital legacy for your accounts just in case.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212360

geek3001

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#3060310 8-Apr-2023 13:16

Although they don't specifically say so, in NZ's legal jurisdiction, Apple's policy seems to also exclude access even by a High Court appointed Executor or Administrator of a deceased estate.

One could also ask what can be done to gain device / account access, where the user / account holder is still alive but has become mentally incapacitated due to a stroke or other brain injury, and is now unable to communicate what their PIN number is to unlock the device, or to provide access to their iCloud account, where no records are held by those with a legitimate reason to need access.

Here in NZ, even with an Enduring Power of Attorney, would Apple permit access in this EPoA scenario?

I actually wonder whether Apple would not permit access there either, as their policy seems to be quite blunt - unless the user / account holder has explicitly assigned a Legacy Contact, no one will be granted access to a deceased owner's device, so by extension, presumably no one can or will be granted access where the user is still alive but mentally incapacitated.

Makes it all the more important to ensure someone else has details of loved one's device PINs and passwords, for legitimate access, especially for our older relatives, for devices and account logons where simple password recovery methods are not available.

xpd

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#3060342 8-Apr-2023 13:50

Oh well.... will just have to see if we can find the PIN somewhere. Fingers crossed :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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FineWine

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#3060353 8-Apr-2023 15:08

As I am my elderly and not so elderly family  IT "Go-To" guy I have all their PIN's and Passwords not only for iDevices but all their iCloud, bank accounts, subscriptions, etc. But these are all locked away behind 1Password management program which I and my partner only have access to. So if something happens to us at the same time and one of them forgets their access credentials there would be trouble but can't see that happening.

If you can't have a trusted family person knowing these access credentials then give them to your lawyer.

This topic as also reminded me to backup our iDevices to our desktop iMac - done.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

alasta

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#3060437 9-Apr-2023 11:08

geek3001:

I actually wonder whether Apple would not permit access there either, as their policy seems to be quite blunt - unless the user / account holder has explicitly assigned a Legacy Contact, no one will be granted access to a deceased owner's device, so by extension, presumably no one can or will be granted access where the user is still alive but mentally incapacitated.

I think it's important to remember that there will be scenarios where the deceased would not want anyone to gain access to their iCloud account.

Using my situation as an example, I am not close to my family so no-one has a legitimate need to access my personal material, and through my work on my local residents association I have confidential material that I don't want exposed to anyone. The only thing that anyone needs to see is my will, which is held by my lawyer with a printed copy in a drawer at home where it can be easily found.

So, when I die I would prefer that data on my devices and iCloud be destroyed.

alsta

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#3060621 9-Apr-2023 13:37

If iCloud backup was turned on, then once the iPad is reset as long as you have the AppleID password which I think Apple can reset in these circumstances then you should be able to restore the device.

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boosacnoodle

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#3060740 9-Apr-2023 16:52

You haven't said exactly what data you are trying to retrieve.

xpd

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#3061254 11-Apr-2023 06:54

TBH, we don't really know - all we know is that he said he had moved 99% of his online accounts etc onto the iPad, so ideally need to get onto it so his family can ensure they've got everything sorted and covered.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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