In the old days a deceased person’s belongings didn’t use to include mobile devices, so there was never really the question of figuring out how such devices will be unlocked if they were bequeathed to someone but they didn’t know the password. Over the last decade or so this has become a problem, as most people nowadays have multiple mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. A similar issue is faced by sons of the deceased Anthea Grant, who left her iPad to her eldest son, but they can’t get Apple to unlock it even after providing all sorts of documentation.
Apple is adamant that its security rules help customers protect lost or stolen devices. However, the sons have provided their mother’s death certificate, copies of her will as well as the solicitor’s letter but the company isn’t budging. The company would have unlocked it if they had written consent, but since she has passed, they can’t obtain it.
There’s still a way for them. Apple now wants a court order which proves that Anthea Grant was the owner of the iPad as well as the associated iTunes account. While this may not seem like that big of a deal, the sons will have to go through their solicitor to get an order, who charges £200 an hour. Apart from the priceless emotional value attached to the iPad, the sons will essentially have to pay their solicitor more than it would cost to buy a new iPad.
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