Users use their private Apple Accounts on supervised iOS/iPadOS devices that are used for both business and private purposes (COPE). By default, the “Where is?” function is always activated on Apple devices, and therefore an activation lock is also automatically activated. If a device with activation lock switched on is reset to factory settings, the Apple Account and password that were used for the last activation are required to reactivate the device. This serves to protect lost or stolen devices.
In the corporate context, this Apple feature can be bypassed. If the Apple Account and/or password are not known (e.g. after an employee has left the company), the activation lock can be bypassed. To do this, a Bypass Code is automatically generated in the administration portal as soon as a user saves their Apple Account on the iPhone/iPad.
Note! It may take a few minutes for the code to be displayed in the administration portal after registration. Please be patient.
- You can find the code under Administration→ Devices.
- Select the desired device in the left-hand column (left arrow in illus.).
- The bypass code can be found in the Details tab (right arrow in illus.).
- If you reset the device to factory settings, you only need to click the Bypass Activation Lock button to remove the existing Apple Account from the device (arrows in illus.).
- You can then reactivate the device and enter a new Apple Account.
Note! Under certain circumstances, there may be communication difficulties between the device and the Apple server. Then Apple sends an error message, stating that no Bypass Code can be found for this device. In this case, enter the Bypass Code instead of the Apple ID password onto the device, in order to remove the activation lock.