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I have an older iPad that I formatted thinking someone was going to buy, forgot to write down apple ID and password. Can't remember the email used for that Id. How do I recover it? It has a ton of books and music on it. Also I only have the one apple device as I use Samsung for my phone
iPad, iPadOS 13
See if you can recover the ID/password. An iCloud e-mail address is an Apple ID. Use every email address you can think of.
Apple ID - How to find your Apple -
Other ways to find your Apple ID
You can check to see if you're signed in to the App Store, FaceTime, or Messages on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, or check to see if you're signed in to iTunes for Windows on a PC. You can also go to iCloud.com or appleid.apple.com and see if your Apple ID prefills on the sign-in screen.
If you forgot the Apple ID (iCloud) password, enter the Apple (iCloud) ID, and click Forgot Password. See if you can get a Rescue or Notification email option if necessary. Link to contact Apple Support at the end of the 2nd article.
If you have 2 Factor Authentication enabled, if you can't recover the password using the steps above, you will need to use Account Recovery. The Recovery Process is an automated process and the length of time it takes can vary a lot. Apple ID Support can only answer your questions. They can't intervene in or speed up the process. The article below has some suggestions to shorten the time the process takes.
Apple ID - Recover your Apple ID with two-factor authentication account recovery. *
If necessary, if you are the original owner, contact Apple. Apple can remove the ID if provided the required paperwork to include the original purchase receipt with the serial number on it.
Request additional support for unlocking your device. -
You used to be able to take the device, the original purchase receipt with the serial number, and a photo ID to the nearest Apple Store (if it has reopened) and have them remove the ID. This may have changed, so call the store before going to make sure they can help.
See if you can recover the ID/password. An iCloud e-mail address is an Apple ID. Use every email address you can think of.
Apple ID - How to find your Apple -
Other ways to find your Apple ID
You can check to see if you're signed in to the App Store, FaceTime, or Messages on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, or check to see if you're signed in to iTunes for Windows on a PC. You can also go to iCloud.com or appleid.apple.com and see if your Apple ID prefills on the sign-in screen.
If you forgot the Apple ID (iCloud) password, enter the Apple (iCloud) ID, and click Forgot Password. See if you can get a Rescue or Notification email option if necessary. Link to contact Apple Support at the end of the 2nd article.
If you have 2 Factor Authentication enabled, if you can't recover the password using the steps above, you will need to use Account Recovery. The Recovery Process is an automated process and the length of time it takes can vary a lot. Apple ID Support can only answer your questions. They can't intervene in or speed up the process. The article below has some suggestions to shorten the time the process takes.
Apple ID - Recover your Apple ID with two-factor authentication account recovery. *
If necessary, if you are the original owner, contact Apple. Apple can remove the ID if provided the required paperwork to include the original purchase receipt with the serial number on it.
Request additional support for unlocking your device. -
You used to be able to take the device, the original purchase receipt with the serial number, and a photo ID to the nearest Apple Store (if it has reopened) and have them remove the ID. This may have changed, so call the store before going to make sure they can help.
Old apple id
