Home > iCloud Lock > How to Bypass/Remove/Unlock Activation Lock on iPad mini (Unactivated)?

How to Bypass/Remove/Unlock Activation Lock on iPad mini (Unactivated)?

I have been helping my readers unlock their iPad mini serial of devices since they were first released back in 2012.

This popular article has helped many readers to successfully bypass Activation Lock on their iPad mini with my easy-to-understand steps.

No technical skills or specialized knowledge required, just a quick and easy solution for iPad mini iCloud bypass so you can use it as normal.

However, this guide is actually suitable for all models of the iPad on the market, including iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro.

Keep on reading to find out how.

How to Bypass Activation Lock on iPad mini?

After a lot of research and trial and error, I did find some ways to bypass iCloud Activation Lock on iPad mini.

Both free ways and paid ways are available, which is brilliant news.

In total, I found 3 free bypass methods, and 2 paid solutions which will help you to regain access to your iPad mini.

Here are the conclusions of my research:

  • Apple claims that the Activation Lock is impossible to bypass. However, there are actually some ways to do that.
  • iCloud DNS bypass can get you some functions and features back for your iPad
  • Trusted iCloud removal services can permanently bypass iCloud Activation Lock
  • Some software can temporarily bypass iCloud lock after jailbreaking your iPad
  • You can remove iCloud lock with the help of the previous owner (if it’s a second-hand device)
  • There are a lot of scammers providing fake iCloud unlock methods

I’m now going to show you the details of my research on iPad mini iCloud bypass.

1Bypass iPad iCloud Lock by Changing DNS

The first way will be using the iCloud DNS Bypass methods. This is a totally free way for you to regain a part of functionality of your iPad mini.

Before using it, you need to learn the features you can use after bypassing:

  • Watching movies and listen to music
  • Surfing the Internet
  • Playing games
  • Chatting with people in a special room

What’s more, it’s not a permanent solution, your iPad will be locked again once it’s restarted. Personally, I’d prefer to pay for a permanent unlock.

Anyway, if you’re interested in this, here is how to bypass:

Step 1. Restart your iPad mini and start the setup process.

Step 2. Select your country and language.

select language country

Step 3. Then on the Choose a Wi-Fi Network screen, tap the small ‘i‘ next to your WiFi network.

icloud dns bypass select wife

Note: please don’t connect to any WiFi network. If connected, you need to go to the connection settings and select Forget this Network.

Step 4. Tap the DNS tab, and then change it with the following one according to your location:

change iphone wifi dns

  • 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
  • Deprecated/Limited: 78.109.17.60

Step 5. Tap on the Back option on the top left, and connect your iPad to your WiFi.

Step 6. After connecting to WiFi, your iPad mini will automatically go to the next screen. You just need to press Back.

Now the iCloud lock is successfully bypassed on your iPad mini. Just explore the menu to enjoy the functions it provides.

dns bypass success

2Use a Service Bypass Activation Lock on iPad mini

Differing from the DNS bypass method, iCloud unlock service can permanently bypass iCloud Activation Lock for you.

If you do a web search you will find a long list of websites that offer iCloud bypass services, most of them are scams.

Fortunately, I have found some trusted iCloud removal services after doing a thorough evaluation of them using our readers’ locked iPad.

Each service has its own strengths and weaknesses, but when it comes to bypassing iCloud lock on iPad, AppleiPhoneUnlock stands out from them.

This is an IMEI-based iCloud unlock service which means you just simply offer the IMEI or Serial number (unique for every electronic device) of your iPad mini, they will do the unlock for you.

According to our experience using this service, the whole unlock process will take up to 5 days. If you’re in a hurry, you can use their FastTrack option which will reduce the delivery time to less than 24 hours.

AppleiPhoneUnlock supports all models of iPad, moreover, they can also bypass iCloud lock for iPhone, Apple Watch and iPod touch.

Here is how we do iPad mini (A1432) iCloud bypass with AppleiPhoneUnlock:

Step 1. Visit the official AppleiPhoneUnlock website.

Step 2. Enter the IMEI or Serial number. You can find it on the back of your iPad mini.

order imeidoctor icloud unlock

Step 3. Then select the model of your iPad, and click on the Unlock iCloud! button.

Step 4. On the next page, choose the FastTrack option if you’re in a hurry (it will speed up the unlock process), agree to the terms and conditions and click the blue ‘Credit /Debit Payment’ button to complete the payment.

order imeidoctor icloud unlock ipad

Then you need to do nothing but wait, usually, an iPad mini will get unlocked within 24 hours with FastTrack enabled.

3Ask the Prvious Owner for iPad mini iCloud Lock Bypass

If it’s a second-hand iPad and you still have access to the original owner, you can ask them to remove the iCloud Activation Lock remotely on iCloud.com.

The original owner simply needs to follow the following steps:

Step 0: Make sure your iPad is connected to a WiFi network before the following steps.

Step 1. Visit iCloud.com and login with their Apple ID and password.

If the previous owner doesn’t remember the Apple ID password, just ask him/her to reset it from iforgot.

Step 2. On the next page, click on the Find iPhone (even though it is an iPad you still click this option).

icloud find iphone

Step 3. Then select the iCloud locked iPad mini from All Devices.

icloud all devices

Step 4. Click on Erase iPad and then Erase to confirm it.

erase ipad on icloud

Step 5. Enter the Apple ID password to continue.

Step 6. After erasing the iPad, click on Remove from Account.

That’s all! After the above steps, you’ll be able to set up your iPad mini with your own Apple ID and password. There is no Activation Lock anymore!

4Use Software for iPad mini iCloud Bypass

The third solution for you is to use a software tool.

Tenorshare 4MeKey is an effective tool that is specially designed to bypass iCloud lock for iPad and iPhones.

This is the fastest way to bypass iCloud lock, the whole process will take no longer than 1o minutes. It’s your good option if you’re in a hurry.

But 4MeKey only works for iPad mini 2 (2013), iPad mini 3 (2014) and iPad mini 4 (2015).

Don’t worry if you don’t know the model of your iPad mini, just connect your iPad mini to computer via a USB cable and open 4MeKey. The software will tell you whether your device is supported or not on the interface.

The steps to bypass iCloud Activation Lock on unactivated iPad mini with 4Mekey is straightforward:

Step 1. Download and install Tenorshare 4MeKey iCloud bypass tool from their official website.

Step 2. Connect your iPad mini to computer and launch this software. If your device is compatible the software will start to bypass Activation lock for you.

new 4mekey removing activation lock

Step 3. If 4MeKey doesn’t work for your iPad mini, you need to try other methods.

new 4mekey activation lock removed

Tenorshare 4MeKey is available for both Mac and Windows computers. Just download the right version, you’ll get your iPad mini iCloud lock bypassed within 10 minutes!

5Ask Apple for iPad mini iCloud Bypass

The last option will be sending an Activation Lock support request. Apple will unlock Activation Lock for you only when:

  • You can offer proof documentation of ownership. The documentation must include the serial number, IMEI or MEID.
  • Your iPad mini must not be in Lost Mode.

Apple could also help if you want to gain access to an iOS device whose owner has passed away.

I tried to submit the info they required, and 10 days later, I got a reply from them said that they can’t unlock my device without giving any reasons.

apple email cant unlock iphone

I guess Apple needs to be 100% sure you are exactly the original owner before unlocking iCloud Activation Lock.

If you want to try this method, follow these steps:

Step 1. Visit Apple Activation Lock support page: Activation Lock – Support

Step 2. Read the notes and terms of use, then agree with their terms & privacy policy, and click on the Continue button.

apple activation support

Step 3. Then provide the information they required – Email Address, IMEI/Serial Number/MEID. And click on Continue.

offer info to apple activation lock support

Step 3. After the above step, you’ll receive a confirmation link from Apple. Click on the link in the email.

apple activation support confirm email

Step 4. Then click on Continue to verify the information.

apple activation support verify info

Step 5. On the next page, offer all the info they required on the next page. This including your:

  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Original Purchase Date
  • The location you originally purchase your device
  • Proof of ownership

apple purchase proof required

Step 5. After offering the info, click the Continue button.

Step 6. On the next page, confirm the information you submitted and finally click on Continue.

verify info offerred to apple

Step 7. Finally, you’ll be told that they’ve received the information and are working on it. You need to be patient to wait for the result.

successfully submit apple activation unlock request

According to our experience, this will take around 10 days.

Once Apple confirmed your info and unlocked your iPad mini, everything will be erased from your device including the iCloud Activation Lock.

Finally, you’ll be able to set up your iPad mini without any problems.

FAQs About iPad Mini iCloud Bypass

Have you tried all the above methods?

Yes, the above solutions are just part of ways we tested in our research. We use the devices from our readers to test these ways and only the recommend solutions in our article that actually worked.

Which iPad models can be unlocked?

Although this post is special written for iPad mini, the methods mentioned above can also work for other models, including iPad, iPad Pro, and iPad Air.

Can I bypass iCloud activation on iPad mini with Hardware?

To be honest, the hardware solution for iCloud Activation Lock bypass is outdated. It’s complicated and hard to success.

How do I bypass activation lock on iPad without Apple ID?

If you prefer a free way to permanently bypass iCloud Activation Lock without Apple ID, then contacting Apple or the original owner will be good option.

If the two methods can’t help, then using an unlock service such as AppleiPhoneUnlock can help you.

Will jailbreaking unlock iPad mini bypass iCloud?

Jailbreaking won’t unlock or bypass iCloud lock for iPad mini. But some iCloud unlock software such as Tenorshare 4MeKey can bypass iCloud lock only when the iPad is jailbroken.

How can I identify the model number of my iPad mini?

We made a form for you to identify:

ModeliPad mini (1st generation)iPad mini 2iPad mini 3iPad mini 4iPad Mini 5
Release dateNovember 2, 2012November 12, 2013October 22, 2014Since September 9, 2015March 18, 2019
Model numberA1432, A1454, A1455A1489, A1490, A1491A1599, A1600, A1601A1538, A1550A2133, A2124, A2126, A2125
Touch IDNoNOYesYesYes

If you’re still not sure? Here is the official guide to identify iPad mini model.

The Bottom Line

Having trouble with iPad mini iCloud bypass? Don’t worry, you can try one of the above ways to bypass/unlock your iPad mini without Apple ID or password.

If you found this post helpful please take a moment to share this article. I’d really appreciate it.

Also, if you have any questions, feel free to let me know by leaving a comment below.

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Eric is an Apple Certified Independent Technician after gaining AppleCare service certifications for both iOS and Mac. He is passionate about helping people to make the most of their iOS devices.

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