Old iPad got a "microsoft" activation lock password request while looking at a porn site. Please help.

[Luvulongtime]

I have an old iPad which I only use for browsing and reading general Wikipedia type stuff when I'm trying to go to sleep. The browser can't be updated any more because the iPad is too old, and pornhub and xhamster won't allow me to look at them with it.  I was looking at a porn site a few days ago (normally I don't use this iPad for that) and it suddenly rebooted and showed the attached messages. I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure if it's safe to put my password in. I don't know why it mentions "find my iPhone" either because I don't think I ever linked it, but maybe I did. Any suggestions as to next steps would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. 

[jim2k]

how about logging into apple from a different device and check the status of your devices. see if your ipad is registered

[momo5]

Has nothing to do with ‘Microsoft’ nor the porn site. 

Activation Lock is a function of Apple’s Find My feature and is linked to the Apple ID the device is logged into  

Is the partial Apple ID shown yours?

Did you recently activate Find My on another device with the same Apple ID?

[forqalso]

https://www.wootechy.com/activation-bypass/remove-ipad-activation-lock/
 

You can follow the instructions on this site to bypass the lock (basically like jim2k said). I would immediately change my Apple ID password afterwards in case this was a phishing expedition.

[Roadglide]

If it's that old, I would strongly suggest that you change your Apple password and just toss the iPad, using electronics with outdated software is just asking for trouble.

The biggest risk is that if you DO decide to unlock this device you will be putting your entire network of devices at risk to attack, along with whatever you have on the cloud.

Like I said, destroy and trash this device, don't take the risk.

I normally keep my Apple devices for years, but when it gets to the point that they are no longer supported with security updates, I upgrade them...This will probably be the last year for my iPhone xs as Apple will no longer support the iPhone X.

Edited September 20, 2023 by Roadglide

[Luvulongtime]

On 20/09/2023 at 10:30, momo5 said:

Has nothing to do with ‘Microsoft’ nor the porn site. 

Activation Lock is a function of Apple’s Find My feature and is linked to the Apple ID the device is logged into  

Is the partial Apple ID shown yours?

Did you recently activate Find My on another device with the same Apple ID?

Yes, that's my email. And no, I haven't ever used find my device. Thank you for responding. 

[Luvulongtime]

18 hours ago, Roadglide said:

If it's that old, I would strongly suggest that you change your Apple password and just toss the iPad, using electronics with outdated software is just asking for trouble.

The biggest risk is that if you DO decide to unlock this device you will be putting your entire network of devices at risk to attack, along with whatever you have on the cloud.

Like I said, destroy and trash this device, don't take the risk.

I normally keep my Apple devices for years, but when it gets to the point that they are no longer supported with security updates, I upgrade them...This will probably be the last year for my iPhone XS as Apple will no longer support the iPhone X.

Is there a way of running it in some kind of bare bones mode? I mean one where I'm only using it to do some night time browsing to help me nod off and it's not linked to any accounts that could be compromised. I really only use it for that anyway. I'm wondering if it's worth  messing with it at all or just binning it as you said. Thanks for answering me. 

[Roadglide]

5 hours ago, Luvulongtime said:

Is there a way of running it in some kind of bare bones mode? I mean one where I'm only using it to do some night time browsing to help me nod off and it's not linked to any accounts that could be compromised. I really only use it for that anyway. I'm wondering if it's worth  messing with it at all or just binning it as you said. Thanks for answering me. 

You can go into your Apple account on another device, Settings, your apple ID, scroll to the bottom where it shows your devices, you can then remove that device.

Just know that anytime you use a device that no longer gets security updates you are just asking for trouble, since hackers can use that device as a backdoor into your home network.

[Kowinwor]

I see it's been a while since you've posted, but I just want to ask if anyone ever figured out how that lock popped up randomly on an old iPad. Sounds like a phishing trick, but I'm curious if resetting the device fixed it or if it was something more serious like malware. Anyone else had something similar happen recently with old Apple gear?

[Funkyte]

I had an old device lock me out once too while browsing, and it took some digging to fix. Lately, I’ve been sticking to phim hentai instead of real porn—since it’s animated, it feels lighter and safer, and way less likely to trigger weird stuff like activation locks.

Edited Thursday at 17:04 by Funkyte

[Fire Bar Matt]

On 25/11/2025 at 22:15, Kowinwor said:

I see it's been a while since you've posted, but I just want to ask if anyone ever figured out how that lock popped up randomly on an old iPad. Sounds like a phishing trick, but I'm curious if resetting the device fixed it or if it was something more serious like malware. Anyone else had something similar happen recently with old Apple gear?

My understanding is Apple “sandbox” their OS and approved apps which makes it nearly impossible for malware to harm a device. I am more than happy to be proven worn on this.

I have pretty much been cruising the web for the last 10 years on an iPad in Safari and never had an issue or need for antivirus, but I’m not a tech head so maybe it’s been luck?