iPad recovery / management

[DavePa]

Although never a business staple we have purchased a few iPads in the past. Initially we simply gave them to the users to setup but after the 1st 1/2 dozen went out then we purchased a Macbook and used the Apple configurator to put a profile on any new ones we purchased but that was then taken away from us although since then there have been no more iPads but plenty of iPhones - all of which have been setup without an Apple account being configured for them.

 

Today, I've been given an iPad back again that the user had locked themselves out of and it turns out to have been registered to an email account that nobody knows - and you cannot even see the full email address, just the 1st letter of the name and domain. Effectively the iPad is now a paperweight unless there is some way of recovering it - note that I am not looking for advice on doing anything illegal, I just want to be able to use the iPad that we purchased as a work tool rather than a paperweight!

 

Is there any (legal) way of recovering this? I can probably find paperwork to show we purchased it if that is what it takes but will Apple then say that does not prove we didn't sell it on or something similar.

 

On a related note...is there any way of configuring iDevices through a Windows PC or do we need another MacBook?

[Marshall_IT]

If you contact Apple on their support number 08000480408 and tell them you have a corporate device which has been activation locked to a non-company e-mail and you'll need to speak to the enterprise team to get it unlocked.

 

They raise a case number then e-mail you some forms to fill in which you then reply back with the original invoice for the iPad, along with serial number.

 

Make sure to use some of those terms above to make it certain they know you are a company etc.

[DavePa]

@Marshall_IT Thanks for that, I'll dig out the paperwork and call them.

 

Any idea if we need a MacBook to ensure that this doesn't happen again?

[rad]

You could take it to a Genius bar, they may be able to help. I thought you needed an appointment, however a collegue walked in with a MBPro and got it fixed there and then

[tmoon-mint]

You need to make sure you're supervising the devices before you hand them out so that it disables activation lock.

[DavePa]

You need to make sure you're supervising the devices before you hand them out so that it disables activation lock.

 

Am I right in thinking that this requires a Mac of some description and the software is not available for Windows though? I'm trying to establish whether I need to ask for just software or software and a Mac!

[snagrat]

Am I right in thinking that this requires a Mac of some description and the software is not available for Windows though? I'm trying to establish whether I need to ask for just software or software and a Mac!

 

You need a Mac assuming you are not using DEP.

 

The software is free

[MicrodigitUK]

Am I right in thinking that this requires a Mac of some description and the software is not available for Windows though? I'm trying to establish whether I need to ask for just software or software and a Mac!

 

We use a client on our Windows PCs to supervise devices with a bit of software called GroundControl https://www.groundctl.com . Basically cloud based version of Apple configurator that can also do DEP devices. It allows automated workflows to setup and reset devices via USB. Brilliant for bulk onboarding iOS devices into an MDM like Meraki or AirWatch. We reset whole sets of 30+ iPads in less than 5 minutes! Can't recommend it enough. Well worth its price tag.

Edited March 31, 2017 by MicrodigitUK

[DavePa]

Thanks all, I'll look into groundctl as 1st option and purchasing a Mac as 2nd, at least the software won't cost.

[tmoon-mint]

I just use a Mac Mini for AC2. They aren't terribly expensive.