mrhall Posted October 15, 2021 Posted October 15, 2021 We've got about 20 iPads that date from 2012. We don't have any proof of ownership (because we don't keep records that long...) Some of these were left by previous leaving staff - who have left them locked - with a PIN we don't know! Is there any hope? They will probably still access internet ok - so would be useable. All ideas welcome! Peter
localzuk Posted October 15, 2021 Posted October 15, 2021 Without proof of ownership, it is highly unlikely you'll be able to get them unlocked by Apple. We've got a bunch the same here. We just recycle them now.
Norphy Posted October 15, 2021 Posted October 15, 2021 Are these activation locked or not? If they're not, you might be able to put them into DFU mode and factory reset them with Apple Configurator. That will at least wipe them, but if they were signed into an iCloud account it won't help.
FN-GM Posted October 15, 2021 Posted October 15, 2021 They won’t have the latest security updates. I would just dump them. It’s not worth the time and effort.
mavhc Posted October 15, 2021 Posted October 15, 2021 Ewaste caused by a) security systems or b) lack of updates. Annoying. Remember to create a procedure for staff leaving to solve the first problem. 1
Scifigirl Posted October 15, 2021 Posted October 15, 2021 If you can get them back by DFU, we use ours for daily loans or teacher iPads mostly accessing email.
kingoranks Posted October 15, 2021 Posted October 15, 2021 Apple support is not that great on old devices, the business strategy is to make you buy new product. Expect no help from Apple support
dgsmith Posted October 15, 2021 Posted October 15, 2021 We have a handful of ipad 2s that are just sat here now doing nothing (also 2012 era). The latest version they will take is progressively getting older and older compared to newer versions and although they're fully unlocked, we just have no use for them. I really do need to recycle them, just seems a shame to chuck perfectly functional tablet devices away.
mavhc Posted October 15, 2021 Posted October 15, 2021 Probably easy to jailbreak, is there something better you can install on them after that? Or use them as internal web kiosks for displaying data around the school
Brimstone Posted October 15, 2021 Posted October 15, 2021 (edited) Ewaste caused by a) security systems or b) lack of updates. Annoying. Remember to create a procedure for staff leaving to solve the first problem. Or have a proper management solution in the first place that allows to run activation lock bypass command... Whether or not they are 9 years old, when do you expect updates for iOS to stop or do you expect them forever...? Edited October 15, 2021 by Brimstone
mavhc Posted October 18, 2021 Posted October 18, 2021 I expect not to be forced to rely on the manufacturer for updates.
mrhall Posted October 18, 2021 Author Posted October 18, 2021 Just seems a shame that our stupidity has rendered these unusable - I don't need to update them - even just running as a basic internet device would be well worth it - but my predecessor didn't manage to get a good system for staff leaving their equipment. I'll try some restore / wiping kinds of ideas. Since they are basically a doorstop - I guess worth risking a jailbreak too...
FN-GM Posted October 18, 2021 Posted October 18, 2021 I don't need to update them - even just running as a basic internet device . You should be taking your security obligations more seriously... 1
Roberto Posted October 19, 2021 Posted October 19, 2021 I don't need to update them - even just running as a basic internet device would be well worth it Internet devices don’t need to be up to date? Are you a time traveller from 20 years ago? Because if you are, I hate to break it to you but out of date, unpatched devices are the last thing I’d be wanting my users to browse the internet on.
mrhall Posted October 19, 2021 Author Posted October 19, 2021 Sorry - not being very clear. Yes - I'd want the latest patch for the iOS that the ipad was running - but running iOS 12, fully patched and "up to date" would be ok. I guess there is a time when the iOS is too old to be supported - and the iPad won't run anything newer - and then they are a useless brick. And maybe ours are that old now - and so disposal is the only thing we can do. Maybe just serves as a warning for us - about needing a better plan when staff leave, and hand in a device - that someone actually needs to check the device is usable......
stevewill6 Posted October 19, 2021 Posted October 19, 2021 We have about 40+ ipad2s still being "used" by staff and pupils. How much of a risk are these likely to be? They are running IOS9, the latest they are able to run. They have no access to the App store. They are basically used as a web browser/email access (through the browser). Outlook app not supported.
Oaktech Posted October 19, 2021 Posted October 19, 2021 You may have some luck resetting them in recovery mode with itunes? Depends if they are just locked because you don't know the pin, or if they are activiation locked in which case you are stuck and you may as well e-waste them.
Accura2k7 Posted October 19, 2021 Posted October 19, 2021 Factory reset them and see what the activation lock email goes to, if its a school email address recreate the accounts and do a reset. 1
mavhc Posted October 20, 2021 Posted October 20, 2021 We have about 40+ ipad2s still being "used" by staff and pupils. How much of a risk are these likely to be? They are running IOS9, the latest they are able to run. They have no access to the App store. They are basically used as a web browser/email access (through the browser). Outlook app not supported. There's 2 security issues to worry about. 1) local methods of hacking the device if you don't trust the users, but you probably do. 2) browser based exploits, 3) other exploits you can't disable, maybe iMessage, bluetooth etc. Browser exploits include https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2021-30795/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2020-3899/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2020-3897/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2020-3895/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2020-3868/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8846/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8844/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8835/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8816/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8815/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8814/ All those need iOS 13 to fix https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8689/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8688/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8685/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8684/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8676/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8672/ https://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2019-8669/ plus 9 more, all those require iOS 12 to fix. And there's 14 more that require iOS 10. Problem is if they're used for email is anyone could send you a link to a webpage that tried every one of those exploits, and then access any file on the device. Not sure why Safari doesn't use a decent sandbox 2
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now