Why The Lucky Stiff

One man's journey to be more just a lucky stiff

iOS

How to Pair Xbox One, PS4, and Gamesir Controllers With iOS

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Now that Apple Arcade is out, we have one more reason to grab our console or mobile controllers and pair them with our iPhone. It’s an easy way to enhance your overall gaming experience. 

That being said, the process of pairing a controller to iOS devices can differ from gamepad to gamepad. It’s no surprise that so many people don’t know how. 

So, here’s how to pair an Xbox, PS4, or Gamesir controller with your iPhone!

1: Inventory

First things first, let’s see what we need to have. 

  1. An Xbox One, PS4, or GameSir controller
  2. An iPhone
  3. And if possible, the latest version of iOS

But, one thing that may not be so obvious is that your controller needs to support Bluetooth and iOS compatibility. Some older wireless controllers like the Dualshock 3 may or may not work while there is no hope for wired ones. 

For example, the older Xbox 360 controller won’t work with our guide. The same thing goes for the Gamesir  G3W, Xbox 360, etc.  

With that out of the way, let us move on with the guide. 

2: How to Pair Xbox One and PS4 Controllers With iOS

To pair an Xbox One controller, all you need to do is: 

  1. Turn it on
  2. Press the “Sync” button
  3. Go to the Bluetooth settings of your iPhone
  4. Once there, the controller should appear on the list of available devices
  5. Tap on your Xbox One controller’s name
  6. And that should be it

As for a PS4 controller: 

  1. Hold down the PS icon along with the “Share” button until the lights start blinking
  2. Go to your Bluetooth settings
  3. And connect with the PS4 controller that should appear on the list

3: How to Pair A GameSir Controller With iOS

GameSir controllers are designed to work with numerous operating systems. For that reason, you need to know the various combinations that your model uses to connect with each different OS. 

For example, if you own the GameSir G3S, you need to: 

  1. Hold down the power + Y button
  2. Wait until the Apple icon starts flashing
  3. Head over to your Bluetooth settings
  4. Then connect with the controller

If you see nothing but a serious of numbers with letters, then wait for a few seconds and the name should eventually change to “GameSir G3S”. That being said, the controller doesn’t officially support Apple devices. But, if you own one, you can always give it a try. 

Wrapping Up

That’s all for now. If you’ve got any questions, let us and everyone else know about them in the comments section down below! Do keep in mind that not all games support controllers and that not all controllers play well with iOS. 

Even some options that are kinda optimized for iOS, like the GameSir G3S, may still not work at all in the end. Still, give it a try and let us know how that worked out for you. 

How to Track Someones Phone – 3 Best Phone Tracking Apps

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How to Track Someones Phone – 3 Best Phone Tracking Apps

Are you looking for a solution of how to track someones phone when they’ve either lost it or you want to know their whereabouts? Here’s a complete guide on how you can do it on both Android, and iOS, and a list of phone tracking apps that help you always know where your friends and family are.

You may not be the biggest fan of how the current state of social media and instant messaging has taken over like a plague, but there is no denying the fact that smartphone technology has reshaped the way we stay connected to our loved ones all across the world. Whether you consider the ability to video call someone ten thousand miles away, or be able to enjoy high-definition entertainment anywhere at any time, mobile phones have been a blessing right from the start, and just continue to evolve into a piece of technology that is deeply personal.

What makes smartphones even more productive is the fact that they use location-based services to help you find places around you to visit, directions across cities, and even allow you to share your live location with other people to let them know where you are. But what about when you want to know how to track someones phone when they aren’t able to share their location, or are unable to do so because they’ve lost or misplaced their smartphone somewhere? The problem of losing your Android phone or iPhone isn’t a new one and can happen to the best of us, and fortunately, there is a safety net.

How to Track Someones Phone

If you’re worried about a loved one who isn’t responding to your messages and won’t answer your phone calls, or if you’ve misplaced your phone somewhere and worry that it might be stolen, tracking it is the first thing that should come to mind. Although you can expect the best results with the Wi-Fi, GPS, and Mobile Networks available when tracking a phone, there’s almost always a way to get a hold of the mobile phone’s location. By using not just the official services from manufacturers such as Find My Device by Google and Find My iPhone by Apple, but also a bunch of third-party mobile tracking apps available for users to download, you can always know where that loved one is.

Find an Android Phone with Google’s Find My Device

Back in 2016 at Google I/O, the company added an essential ability to Android OS in the form of the Find My Device service. This feature keeps all of your Android devices connected as long as the location services are enabled on the device. As a preventive measure, make sure that the service is enabled from the Settings – Security & lock screen – Device administrators – Find My Device.

  1. Download the Find My Device app from the Google Play Store. You can also choose to access the Find My Device web service using your computer or tablet.
  2. Open the Find My Device app or web service and sign into your Google account.
  3. If you are trying to learn how to track someones phone and not yours, make sure that you sign in using their Google account.
  4. Once you’ve signed in using the Google account, you should be able to see all of the devices that are synced to it.
  5. By selecting the device that you want to find out the location of, you will be able to see where it was last detected on the map by Google.

Apart from being able to see the last seen location of the Android device, you will also be able to perform certain actions which can help you find it.

Play Sound – When you press this button from the side menu, the Find My Device service will trigger playing a sound on the device. This is quite helpful if you’ve misplaced the phone in your vicinity and need some audio assistance to find it. Once you trigger the Play Sound option, it will make the device ring for 5 minutes at a stretch even if the phone is on Silent mode. After you’ve found the device, you can stop making it ring by pressing the Power button.

Secure Device – The option comes in handy when you’ve lost your device and reckon that the phone or tablet and has been picked up by someone. Using the Secure Device option, you can put the device on a lockdown and prevent anyone from accessing it, while putting up a phone number and message on the screen for the finder to contact you on. Although the device will sign out of the Google account after this action, you will still be able to track it.

Erase Device – If you’ve come to the realization that your phone is either lost or stolen for good, the only form of damage control you can do is keep your data on the device away from the perpetrator. Using the Erase Device feature is essentially a kill switch, erasing your device of all the data, including the Google accounts that are synced to it. After you’ve performed this action, you will no longer be able to track the location of the phone or tablet.

Find an iOS Device with Apple’s Find My iPhone

Released with the cloud storage platform iCloud in the year 2011, the Find My iPhone service allows you to keep a lookout on all of your iOS and even Mac OS X computers. As long as your iDevices are well-within the range of a mobile network or a wireless network, you will be able to track the location of it from anywhere. Similar to Android, you use the service to understand how to track someones phone as long as you have access to their iCloud account. You will need to service enabled on the iOS device in the Settings – Apple ID – iCloud – Find My iPhone and make sure that the toggle switch next to it is enabled.

  1. Access the Find My iPhone app from your iOS device or head over to iCloud from your web browser to access the Find My iPhone service online.
  2. Using your Apple ID and password, log into your iCloud account. If you are tracking someone else’s iDevice, you will need to enter their iCloud user credentials to use the Find My iPhone service.
  3. Open the Find iPhone app in the iCloud menu and select the All Devices tab you see at the top of the screen.
  4. You will now be able to see the iDevice on the map and even zoom in to track the whereabouts even closely.

There will be three different modes available on the upper-right corner of the screen for you to perform additional actions:

Play Sound – Selecting this option will begin to play an audible ringtone on your iOS or Mac OS X device even if the device is set to vibrate or silent mode. This mode should help you locate the iDevice if you’ve only misplaced it around the house or in any indoor setting.

Lost Mode – By selecting this option, you get to display a short message on the iDevice’s screen and set it on lockdown with your phone number put up on the screen for the phone’s finder to contact you. A ringtone will also be played alongside for others to be able to notice your misplaced device.

Erase iPhone – The final resolution if you are unable to find your iPhone or iPad and want to keep your private contents of the phone away from others. By selecting this option, you will be erasing all of the content that is present on your iDevice and the iCloud Activation lock will also be activated, which will ensure that the phone becomes unusable.

3 Best Phone Tracking Apps

Although the ability locating a phone that Google and Apple offer are reliable, these tracking services are centered around a single user. If you want to try out how to track someones phone or tablet, you will need access to their Google or Apple ID, which is not always feasible. To solve this problem, third-party app developers have come up with a few nifty solutions through their tracking apps. By simply having any of these apps installed and set up on Android or iOS devices, you can stay connected and know where your loved ones are at all times.

1. Life360: Find Family & Friends

Staying connect to each other in this digital world can sometimes seem impossible, especially when we’re all living our separate lives and surrounded by social media to keep us distracted. This is the very reason Life360 brings you the Family Locator app, allowing you to be well within reach of the people who matter to you the most. Using the Life360 app, you can create your private groups and chat with them for free, while being notified of their real-time location. Smart features of this tracking app include the ability to receive alerts when a family Circle member arrives or leaves a specific destination, so you are always updated of their safe journey.

Download Life360: Find Family & Friends for iOS

Download Life360: Find Family & Friends for Android

2. Prey Anti Theft

Mobile theft certainly isn’t an anomaly, and you never know when you could fall prey to one of the perpetrators out there, which is exactly what this app here is designed to prevent. Prey Anti Theft allows you to track the whereabouts of your device from anywhere using multiple factors such as GPS coordinates and MAC Address as well, helping the federal authorities gather enough evidence to take action. You can set up Control Zones which alert you when your Android or iOS devices enters or leaves a certain area, GPS Geolocation helps in triangulating precise location of your device, Front and Back Camera take silent snaps of the perpetrator, and additional features like Security Alarm and Security Message Alert to stay on top of your anti-theft protection system at all times.

Download Prey Anti Theft for iOS

Download Prey Anti Theft for Android

3. Sygic Family Locator

One of the most popular brand in GPS navigation technology is now personalizing the service by offering you a way to stay connected with your loved ones. The Sygic Family Locator app for Android and iOS allows you to get real-time location of your friends and family members and share messages for free among the inner circle. Designed especially for parents, the Sygic Family Locator app will notify you when your child reaches the school and exits, allows you to set up safe zones, and even get alerted when they go off the grid. The app gives you a complete breakdown of up to 7 days of location history of your family members, along with the built-in features to track and lockdown your stolen or lost phone.

Download Sygic Family Locator for iOS

Download Sygic Family Locator for Android

Final Words

Global Positioning System or GPS as we now call it in general, is a technology that has revolutionized the way we go around this world. Tech giants such as Google have privatized this highly resourceful technology in the form of Google Maps, which has now become the backbone of the industry, and your favorite services such as Lyft, Uber Eats, and many others would not exist without it. One such personalized use of GPS can be to learn to not only keep an eye on the whereabouts of your own devices, but also how to track someones phone and stay connected at all times.

Whether you choose to implement the Find My Device service for your Android phone or tablet, pick up the Find My iPhone app to have a closer look on where your iOS and Mac OS X devices are, or wish to go independent and choose one of the reliable phone tracking apps that we’ve mentioned above, you’re sure to stay connected with those who matter to you the most. If this guide helped you in finding a way to make phone tracking simpler and more convenient, be sure to let us know in the comments section down below.

How to Install and Use TweakBox on iPhone and iPad

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Are you trying install TweakBox on iPhone and iPad, but what to know more about it before you proceed any further? Here’s everything you need to know about TweakBox, how you can install this app distribution service, and what it is actually capable of doing.

Apple iPhone and the entire ecosphere of iDevices that have existed, have been so in a closed-circuit environment. From restrictions over sharing media files across devices, and little-to-no cross-platform support between iOS and Android phones, Apple has a clearly defined path that it wants the customers to approach through. But ever since the beginning of the iPhone era, the user community has been tinkering with the software and trying to find loopholes that allow you to do a whole lot more than what Apple has intended the iPhone and the iPad for.

Jailbreaking has existed for almost a decade now, allowing iOS users to gain administrative access to the hardware and software of their iDevices. Over the years, Apple has made it harder for users to jailbreak its devices, and although jailbreaking is completely legal, it does pose a serious security risk. The need to do more with the mighty iPhone is the sole purpose behind the inception of TweakBox mobile app installer, which has taken the world of iOS devices by storm. If you own an iPhone or an iPad and want to be able install third-party apps, tweaked apps, and apps that don’t exist elsewhere, TweakBox is what you need.

What is the TweakBox App?

Apple has designed the iOS platform to be able to download and install apps and games only from the Apple App Store. The same pathway is used by Google on the Android OS as well, where users are expected to get their hands on all of the apps from the Google Play Store. However, the open-source structure of Android OS allows users to not only install apps manually, but also fetch them from third-party app stores such as Amazon Appstore and others. There had been no such way on the iOS platform to install apps through third-party sources, until now.

TweakBox has emerged as a one of a kind third-party app installer, which brings a slew of apps and services to your iPhone and iPad. Although there have been methods to install third-party apps directly on iOS devices, but all of them have required you to jailbreak your device and install them through Cydia. This is where TweakBox comes into play, acting as a third-party app installer without the need to jailbreak the device. Since the practice of jailbreaking is frowned upon by security experts, TweakBox is emerging as a brand new way of enjoying the freedom, without making any compromises.

Features of TweakBox

Plenty of thought and effort has gone into the development of the TweakBox app intaller service. Although the fact that the app installer does not require you to use Cydia is the biggest winning aspect of it, what makes the service worth trying out is the simplified categorization of the content that is available for you to try out.

App Store Apps – The TweakBox app comes with a category that includes a list of premium apps that are already available on the App Store. However, you can download these paid apps for free on your iPhone and iPad directly.

TweakBox Apps – TweakBox Apps category is a collection of apps, games, music directories, movies, and so much more. The list keeps being updated regularly, and you can find some truly unique offerings here, which includes game emulators and more.

Tweaked Apps – This category in TweakBox includes a list of apps that have been modified by the developer community to do more than they are originally intended to be used for. Here you can find modified versions of social media apps such as Snapchat, and entertainment apps such as YouTube, which includes some added features.

Hacked Games – If you’re tired of the pay-for-play design of some of the freemium games available for iPhone and iPad, this category in the TweakBox app is just what you need. With modified versions of games such as Clash of Clans and Pokémon GO, you can enjoy a premium gaming experience without spending a dime on in-app purchases.

How to Install TweakBox on iPhone or iPad

Now that you know what the TweakBox app installer is capable of, here’s how you can install it on your iPhone or iPad right now.

  1. Open the Safari browser on your iPhone or iPad and access the official download website of TweakBox – tweakboxapp.com.
  2. On the main screen of the TweakBox website, press the Install Now button.
  3. A pop-up window will appear, notifying you that the website is attempting to access the Settings app, so confirm the action by pressing the Allow button.
  4. You will now be prompted with a “Profile Downloaded” message, so continue by pressing the Close button.
  5. Now head back to the home screen on your iPhone or iPad and open the Settings app.
  6. In the Settings menu, you will be able to see a new tab called “Profile Downloaded”, so go ahead and tap on it.
  7. On the next screen, press the Install button, at which point you will be prompted to enter your Passcode if you have one set up.
  8. The pop-up screen will ask you to confirm your action, so go ahead and press Install to begin the process.
  9. Once the installation process is complete, press the Done button on the top-right corner of the screen.
  10. You can now go back to the home screen of your iPhone or iPad to see the newly installed TweakBox app icon available for use.

Before you proceed to using the TweakBox app, there is one additional permission that you need to enable first. Granting this specific permission will ensure that you can use TweakBox, along with its thousands of apps without any problems.

  1. Head over to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap on the General tab, and then scroll down to find the Profiles & Device Management menu option.
  3. Tap on the text that is shown under the Enterprise App menu.
  4. On the pop-up window that appears, press the Trust button and then press it again to confirm.

Once you’ve performed this action, the TweakBox app will be granted all of the required permissions by the system to function optimally.

Final Words

Back in the day when Apple had users on a chokehold when it came to the usability that iOS offered, jailbreaking your device was the only way out. Cydia installer offered a window into the world of possibilities that Apple restricted users from, but developers have figured out a way to get the good stuff over to users without the need for jailbreaking through the TweakBox app. Allowing you to try out modified versions of popular apps, download premium apps that are available on the App Store, enjoy freemium games, and also play around with a bunch of unique apps that cannot be found elsewhere, TweakBox changes everything.

Note: Despite the slew of features that it offers, TweakBox is, after all, a third-party app installer that is neither endorsed, nor supported by Apple. We advise you to use the TweakBox app with a certain amount of caution, since not every third-party app can be considered reliable.

Are you among the Apple fanboys and fangirls who wants more from iOS and can’t wait to see what TweakBox third-party app installer has to offer? For any questions regarding how to install TweakBox, what it can do, and what version of iOS is it compatible with, just reach out to us in the comments section right down below, and we’ll get back to you promptly.

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How to Buy a Refurbished or a Used iPad Pro Safely – Complete Guide

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Are you on the lookout to buy a used iPad Pro but wonder what’s the best way to do it? Here’s our handcrafted buyer’s guide on how to get your hands on the iPad Pro at a great price without getting stiffed.

How to buy a refurbished or a used iPad Pro?

Back in the year 2012 when Steve Jobs took the center stage to unveil the Apple iPad for the first time, it changed the tech world for good. Setting the trend for the tablet market to follow, iPad has become an iconic piece of technology that continues to revolutionize the standards of entertainment and productivity. The Apple iPad has been around for almost a decade now, and each year, the brand rolls out a new and improved model. In recent years, the iPad Pro has become the industry standard in tablets, offering the best of hardware and software with premium build quality materials.

However, iPad is an expensive gadget and can burn a hole through your wallet, but only if you don’t choose to purchase a used iPad Pro. With a new and updated version released each year, millions of loyal Apple customers flock to get their hands on a new one, which has helped create a flourishing market for second-hand tablets being sold all over. A used or refurbished iPad Pro from even a couple of years ago has plenty of firepower, hence money-savvy users tend to wait out and are keen to buy older models at affordable prices.

But the world of second-hand gadgets and gizmos can be a confusing one, with plenty of sellers out there to make your head spin. To save you to trouble of browsing through a haystack of used devices to find the right one for yourself, we’ve done the research and created a How-To Guide to buy a used iPad Pro.

So lets’ go ahead and understand how you can make sure to select the right iPad for yourself and get the best of Apple tech at a fraction of what the new one costs…

For our highest rated refurbished iPhone reseller, use Swappa. All their used iphones are unlocked and tested for quality and function.
 Our Second Highly Rated Option is Amazon.com. There are lots of certified vendors who offer iPhones and more price options.  Plus Amazon provides a solid return policy and fast delivery with Amazon Prime. .

Why buy a used iPad Pro?

Reason #1 – Good value for your money

Apple continues to be among the select few manufacturers in the world which continues to offer software support to devices years after their release. Since the oldest iPad Pro is also just 3 years old right now, you can expect to receive the latest iOS updates for at least a few more years to come. Unlike Android OS where newer devices receive the latest updates first, Apple tends to roll out iOS updates for all of its supported iDevices at once.

If you don’t see the ultra-premium price tag of a brand new iPad Pro justifiable, then the next best thing is finding a used one with a steep price cut. The moment a brand new Apple device is broken out of its seal, it loses value in the second-market device market, making it a great bargain for those who know where to look. Rather than spending a small fortune on a brand new tablet, you can choose to get your hands on a used iPad Pro that is available in good condition, and still have plenty of dough left.

Reason #2 – No contract to hold you down

If you choose to purchase an iPad Pro that comes with cellular connectivity, you might need to get one that is locked to a certain network such as Sprint or AT&T. However, most used Apple devices online are available in unlocked state, so that they may be used with any carrier without restrictions. When you buy a used or refurbished iPad Pro, you get to choose among the available unlocked variants, this giving you the freedom to select the network carrier that you prefer.

Additionally, if you do go ahead a purchase a brand new iPad Pro on a contract, you are bound to it for years to come. Not only does it mean that you cannot switch to another network carrier, but it also limits you to using the same device even if you end up breaking the screen or damaging it somehow, since repairs can often cost hundreds of dollars. In most cases, you’re better off purchasing an older iPad than having your broken one repaired at the Apple Store.

Reason #3 – Plenty of choices out there

Just because Apple chooses to term the latest model of an iPhone or iPad to be “better” than the previous generation, doesn’t necessarily make it true. Apple tends to discontinue the selling of a particular model as soon as the newer one is launched, since it helps the company maximize the profits by advertising new features at a higher price. However, when you are purchasing an older iPad Pro, you get to choose the model that you want to buy, giving you a grip on what you really want.

How much does it cost?

Just as the market for used handsets and tablets usually works, you do end up paying significantly lesser when the device is older. However, the price of an older iPad Pro can also be based on the condition of the device, the accessories that are available with it, and whether it is under a carrier-based contract or not.

  • Apple iPad Pro 10.5-inch – Starts at $325
  • Apple iPad Pro 9.7-inch – Starts at $214
  • Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st Gen – Starts at $459
  • Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2nd Gen – Starts at $499
  • Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd Gen – Starts at $775

Where can I buy a used iPad Pro online?

You can either choose to grab an old or refurbished iPad Pro from a local store, or try to look for better offers online. There are plenty of places online where you can look for second-hand electronics, but not all of them are worth your time. We’ve put the most popular online marketplaces to buy electronics under the microscope, so that you can get more bang for the buck every time.

OUR TOP RECOMMENDED CHOICES ARE Amazon.com AND SWAPPA

Swappa

Rather than taking a sell-it- approach that most online e-commerce platforms do, Swappa has its sole focus on electronics, and the second-hand market at that. Creating a strong and dependable reputation in being a trustworthy online portal for selling used mobile devices, tablets, home gadgets, and more, Swappa is one of the popular destinations online to find used iOS devices. Unlike a bunch of other online marketplaces out there that rely on the trustworthiness of the seller and depends on you taking their word about the quality and the condition of the electronics sold, Swappa comes in as a mediator to see through your purchase right from the beginning to the very end.

In our review of the range of mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and smart devices that are sold on Swappa, the range was significantly spread out with dozens of sellers available for each product at a varying price range. A rather impressive feature of this online second-hand electronics marketplace is its ability to offer you a sorted view of the devices, with a carrier-based breakdown of the mobile phone or tablet that is being sold. By doing so, Swappa makes it easier for you to either choose a specific network carrier, or go free with the “Unlocked” options that are available.

In regard to buying a used or refurbished iPad Pro from Swappa, you have the option of opting for the Wi-Fi only variants, select a carrier-specific version that you prefer, or go for an unlocked model that lets you go untethered on the go. Swappa holds a strict policy when it comes to the products that it allows the sellers to put up on the marketplace, with multiple quality checks, including complete transparency when it comes to the physical condition and visual quality of the device. Also giving you a direct line of communication with the seller, Swappa gives you the ability to clear out any doubts that you may have and hence help you make a well-informed purchase every time.

Pros:

  • Dedicated online marketplace that solely concentrates on used and refurbished electronics of all shapes and sizes.
  • The inventory of the electronics is well-categorized based on carrier status, specs, model, and more
  • The quality and condition of each device is closely inspected and it is mandatory for the seller to highlight all the details regarding it.
  • There’s a direct channel of communication with the seller for you to discuss and even negotiate the price if need be.

Amazon

The largest online shopping website does not need an introduction, and Amazon truly is a giant when it comes to purchasing brand new and even used electronics. Just like the topper on this lost, Amazon also allows private sellers to put up devices such as a used iPad Pro for sale, and since Amazon has potentially millions of buyers each month, this makes it a larger pool for second-hand products for you to browse through and purchase. The sheer size of Amazon allows you to find a used or refurbished iPad Pro at a lower cost in comparison to other online marketplaces.

However, there is one aspect that you must keep in mind when looking up a used device on Amazon and shouldn’t let yourself be compelled simply based on the lowest price point. The buying experience you will have on Amazon is directly tied to the seller who is offering it. The better rating and positive feedback that the seller has received from previous buyers, better is the chance that you will also experience a satisfactory purchase.

While the communication channel may not be as direct as it is on Swappa and Amazon does not intervene as a moderator for used devices the way Swappa does, you can still expect to get your hands on a great second-hand iPad Pro with Amazon as long as you keep an eye on the seller you’re purchasing it from. There is a silver lining however, all thanks to the return policy that Amazon has in place to protect your investment, so make sure that you’re covered by it before you to choose the right seller to buy a used or refurbished iPad Pro. Additionally, you are most likely to receive the product faster and also avail the Amazon Prime delivery service if the seller is covered by, which is always a pleasant addition.

Pros:

  • The largest online store that guarantees you a giant pool of sellers offering devices at varying prices.
  • The larger marketplace, in return, means more competition between the sellers to have their products sold, which in turn leads to lower pricing.
  • The sure-shot refund policy in place by Amazon to secure your purchase in case you’re not satisfied with the quality or the seller is not honest about the condition or specifications of the iPad Pro.

eBay

One of the oldest online marketplaces may not have the popularity and following that it once did, but eBay continues to be a viable choice for those who are looking to get their hands on second-hand items that come in all shape and form, including electronics such as the Apple iPad Pro. There certainly has been a drop in the number of listings that you can find on eBay for used devices over the years, but since it is one of the few open online marketplaces out there, you will find a healthy amount of sellers to choose from. There are filters in place for you to choose your preferred hardware specs, the version and year of make, price range, and condition (used, refurbished, open box, and more) of the device.

Sorting out the products is made easy, based on the lowest price, featured items, ending soonest (for products that are up for auction), giving you an easy way to find your preferred choice. One of the only mainstream shopping websites that allows you to put the system of auctions to good use, you can involve yourself into a bidding war and follow a listing that you have your heart set on and ensure that you buy it for the best price possible. While we’re not trying to throw shade at some of the genuine sellers trying to make a living on eBay, but the website has been related to a fair share of online scams and buying experiences that have been less than stellar in more ways than one.

Although eBay has put forth a safety net to secure the buyer’s money, it isn’t
foolproof and you can’t be certain about the condition, quality, or the
genuineness of the used product that you’re about to purchase. Additionally,
you’re at the mercy of the seller to ship the item and in case of a return, you
need to handle it yourself in most cases, all of which can add up to the
frustration of not getting your hands on the device that you sought out to buy.

Pros:

  • Large selection of private listings available for you to choose from.
  • One of the only online marketplaces to offer auction system, ensuring that you don’t pay a cent more than the best price.

Cons:

  • Little to no buyer’s protection offered by eBay in most cases when purchasing used products.
  • No moderator in place to ensure the authenticity of the seller or the products being sold by them.

Craigslist / Social Media

If you’re out looking for the cheapest used iPad Pro that you can find, you may encounter a few being offered over at websites like Craigslist and even on social media websites such as Facebook. Posting on Craigslist is completely free and accessible to millions of users which makes it a fine alternative for some. Similarly, social media allows you to directly find local sellers and by eliminating the middle man, the buyer is able to give you the best price possible.

But having a moderator is place is always beneficial to you and spending a few extra bucks for that security of purchase is well worth it. In our opinion, these online platforms should be the last place where you should be looking for a used or refurbished iPad Pro or any other second-hand gadget for that matter. Not only is Craigslist infamous for being a breeding ground for scammers, but making an uninformed purchase from a stranger is never a good idea to begin with.

You may be lured in by some offers that just seem too good to be true, and more often than not, they actually are. Rather than falling for a seller who is simply out there to make a quick buck, it is in your best interest to buy a used iPad Pro from a platform that is not only trustworthy, but legitimate in its way to
trade.

How to evaluate your iPad Pro before buying

Before you go ahead and make a purchase, you need to be confident about the product you’re buying, and buyer’s confidence is essential when you want to get your hands on a used electronic. While checking the physical condition of the phone through the pictures and inspecting the screen for any major scratches and hairline cracks is what you should start with, there’s more that you need to inspect when buying a used iPad Pro.

Before you start pulling your hair worrying about the purchase you’re about to make, take a few minutes to read the guidelines we’ve highlighted below. Using the pointers given below, you can understand the questions that you need to ask the seller before making your purchase and ensuring that the second-hand device is the right fit for you and worth the money that you’re putting into it.

Step 1: Ask for the IMEI number

To deter thefts and illegal trading of mobile phones and tablet, each and every manufacturer is required to assign a unique IMEI number to the products it sells. Consider IMEI number as a fingerprint of your device, which makes it easily identifiable by the manufacturer, as well as federal authorities. Before you even consider making a purchase, you should start off by asking for the IMEI number of the used or refurbished iPad Pro that you’re about to buy.

Apart from allowing you identify is the device has been reported stolen or blocked by the manufacturer, the 15-digit IMEI number also allows you to unlock it if it has been tied to a specific network carrier. If you’re planning to get your hands on a Wi-Fi variant of the iPad Pro and wish to use it openly with any network carrier SIM card, you will need to have it unlocked, if it isn’t already.

If the seller is unable to provide you the IMEI number of the iPad Pro or refuses to do so before the purchase, you may want to consider it a red flag. There could be an issue with the authenticity of the device and if this is the case, you’re better off looking for any other used iPad Pro in the market. Finding the IMEI code on the iPad Pro is super simple and can be found in Settings – General – About, so you can ask the seller to send you a screenshot and get a hold of the important information.

Step 2: Get the iPad unlocked

While you can choose to skip ahead of this step if you plan to buy a used Wi-Fi variant of the iPad Pro, but if you intend to get one with cellular support, ensuring that the device is factory unlocked or at least unlockable is essential. If the device has been listed as “unlocked” or “contract-free” by the seller, you should confirm if the device is factory unlocked (works with any network carrier right out of the box), which would be ideal if you plan to use different carrier SIM cards with the device.

However, even if the device is tied down to a network carrier, you can always choose to unlock the iPad Pro later on. You would usually expect a carrier-locked device to be cheaper than an unlocked one, since the network unlocking process does add up the cost to a few more dollars. Either way, it is important that you make a well-informed purchase and know exactly what you’re paying for and ask the seller for some form of proof regarding the network status of the device.

If you’re planning to buy the used iPad Pro locally, checking the device with a couple of different SIM cards can be the best way to find out more. Additionally, you can even ask your online seller to send your screenshots of the iPad working with at least a couple of different network carrier SIM cards before you go ahead and buy it. This is where we prefer using Swappa, since it breaks down the available listings on the basis of network carrier status, saving you the painstaking effort of manually identifying these factors.

Step 3: Understand how unlocking works

When choosing to buy your used or refurbished iPad Pro from Swappa, or purchasing a Wi-Fi only variant, you can confidently choose to skip over this step as well.

There are a few steps involved in the process of unlocking a device, and the iPad Pro is no different. The entire process comes as a premium service which will cost you somewhere between $40 to $150 on an average and should take at least 48 hours to be completed. We do recommend that you choose an unlocked iPad Pro as your first choice, especially if the price different between the locked and unlocked variant is not substantial.

When you do choose to go for a carrier-locked version and find the need to have it unlocked, you will need a couple of things to get started. First of all, you will need to get a hold of the IMEI number that is attached to your iPad Pro, which is an essential factor to have the device unlocked. The first course of action would be reaching out to the network carrier to which the device is locked to, as they can directly help you have the iPad Pro unlocked (for no added cost in some cases).

However, if you no longer have access to the original SIM or the network carrier is unwilling to help you get the device unlocked, your last resort may be looking towards third-party unlocking services. Online phone unlocking services such as DoctorUnlock allow you to provide your IMEI number along with other details, pay a small unlocking service fee, and have the device unlocked within a day or two. This is your best shot at using the iPad Pro untethered and saving yourself the hassle that comes with having the device unlocked officially by the carrier.

Step 4: Beware of iCloud Activation lock

Imagine going through all of the trouble of finding the right iPad Pro, fetching the best price and waiting patiently for it to arrive, only to find out the ominous iCloud Activation lock screen showing up. Apple added the iCloud Activation lock back with the iOS 7 update to deter the selling of lost, stolen, and illegally sourced iOS products, which is linked to the Find My iPhone app and allows used to track their devices geographically.

The app also allows users to remotely lock their iOS devices in case of suspicious usage or theft, which in turn guarantees that the device and the data in it is inaccessible without the activation code. While this is a nifty security feature, it can be a nightmare for those who have purchased a second-hand iOS device and find the screen pop up with no idea on how to get past it. The best way to ensure that you never come across such a grave issue is by selecting a dependable online marketplace such as Swappa.

The platform does not allow selling of devices with activation lock in place, thus guaranteeing that there is no buying or selling of potentially stolen electronics. Even if you do choose any other mode of purchase, it is best to ask if the device comes with the iCloud Activation lock. Choosing a lower-priced iPad Pro from a random seller online, only to have it locked and rendered useless is a complete waste of your time and money.

The Conclusion

Just as the value of a car significantly depreciates when you pull it out of the dealership store, the value of any mobile phone or tablet also falls down a couple hundred dollars once it is out of the original packaging. This is true especially for the premium-priced iOS devices such as the iPad Pro, which may seem like an expensive buy right out of the Apple Store, but you can certainly get your hands on a great online for the used and refurbished models.

The guide to buying a used iPad Pro that we’ve designed above, takes each and every aspect in consideration, right from the places to look to the inspection you must do before making the actual purchase. If you are still in two minds about buying yourself a second-hand iPad Pro and need more assistance regarding it, just reach out to us in the comments section right down below and we’ll surely get back to you.

 

Other similar articles:

How to buy used or refurbished iPhone

How to buy used or refurbished Samsung

How to buy used or refurbished Apple Watch

How to Bypass Activation Lock for iPhone iCloud

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Are you searching for a solution on how to bypass Activation Lock on your iOS device but can’t seem to get one? Here’s our takedown of the best iCloud Activation bypass tool that are available online and how they fare against each other in providing you the best solution.

Back in the year 2007 when the late Steve Jobs unveiled the very first iPhone, it quickly became the gold standard by which all other smartphones were measured. More than a decade since its inception, Apple has developed the iOS mobile software platform to be exclusive with severely limited cross-platform capabilities. However, the closed-circuit design of the iOS has allowed the iPhone to be one of the most secure smartphone out there, beating most Android devices by miles.

A core aspect of this security layer that Apple boasts about is the iCloud Activation Lock that has been put in place by default. Apple introduced this security feature to counter the selling of stolen iOS devices and to help users secure their personal data at all times, but it isn’t quintessential by any means. Whether you ended up purchasing a used iPhone or simply forgot the login details of your own iCloud account, being locked out of your device can be quite frustrating to say the least.

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AppleiPhoneUnlock is quick, convenient, cheap and safe. It doesn’t get any better than that right? Bypass Activation iCloud account with AppleiPhoneUnlock.

 

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What is a iCloud Activation Lock?

It was back in the year 2013 with the release of iOS 7.0 that Apple introduced an added layer of user data protection in the form of iCloud Activation Lock. Primarily introduced to deter the issue of widespread theft of devices and data, the iCloud Activation Lock forced the user to enter the iCloud password associated with the iPhone or iPad to get past the welcome screen after a factory reset was performed on the iOS device. The feature was enabled automatically once the Find My iPhone service was turned on by the user on the respective iPhone or iPad.

While the feature continues to be a security layer for most users, it does become a nuisance to those who have either lost access to their iCloud account username and password. The iCloud Activation Lock is especially a hindrance to purchase a used iPhone and were disappointed by stop in their tracks by the activation screen upon booting up the device. Whether you decide to jailbreak your iOS device or factory reset it into oblivion, none of it is going to help you understand unlock iCloud Lock on iPhone one bit.

How to Remove Your iPhone iCloud Lock

Fortunately, you’re among a strong majority of iOS users who have been looking for the solution on ways to bypass Activation Lock on iPhone the easy way. Owing to the widespread demand, a fair number of services have risen to the occasion to help bypass the iCloud Activation lock. But how do you pick the best iCloud Activation bypass tool among the long list of options available out there? We’ve done the hard work for you and tested through the different services out there to find the top 2 service providers that beat the competitor by a mile.

Since Apple or its affiliated brands would never endorse and name a certain service the best iCloud Activation bypass tool, we had to roll up our sleeves and analyze the options out there. After testing out 9 different service providers that guarantee to help you get past the iCloud Activation lock, and boiled it down to 2 names that worked best. After testing the unlocked iPhone with multiple carriers, we can confirm that you too can learn how to get past the iCloud activation screen and let that expensive piece of tech from Apple be more than just an attractive paperweight.

iCloud lock

Step 1 – Begin by visiting one of the two iCloud Activation service providers that we have reviewed and mentioned down below.

Step 2 – Enter the IMEI Number or the Serial Number of the iPhone or iPad when asked.

  • On an active iPhone – Head to the Phone app on the iPhone and type in *#06#* which will give you to the IMEI Number of your device, or you could locate it in Settings – General – About and scroll all the way down to view the IMEI Number.
  • On a locked iPhone – From the Activation screen, press the little “i” icon you see on the screen, which should give you the IMEI Number of the iPhone.

Step 3 – Confirm the IMEI Number in the activator tool and wait for the confirmation that the iCloud Activation lock has been removed.

Step 4 – You can now set up the iPhone as new or add an existing iCloud account to it and begin using the device without any hiccups.

How We Tested the Best iCloud Activation Bypass Tool

The best service providers out there for getting past the iCloud  lock used in this guide have been proven to work with all current generation iPhone and iPad devices, as well as older iOS devices in general. To find the most desirable service providers out there, we conducted a general test of the most popular names that show up in a regular Google search and boiled down a list of 9 names into the top 2, which we then looked into a little deeper.

To make the test as clinically accurate as possible, we reached out to our readers to find out who among them needed to learn how to unlock your iCloud Activation Lock on iPhone. After collecting the IMEI Codes from 12 users who owned different iOS devices with varying network carriers, were we able to gather a list of the following devices:

  • iPhone X
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 6
  • iPhone 6 Plus
  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone 6s Plus
  • iPad Pro 2018
  • iPad Air

Criteria No. 1: Unlock Activation Pricing 

The service providers seem to charge a varying amount for unlocking the iCloud Activation lock on iPhone and iPad devices. While some of the contenders charged as low as a measly $15 fee for the unlocking service, the cost went all the way up to $149 for the more premium names in the business. Since you probably bought a used iPhone to save money, it is important to consider the price factor, which is why we’ve mentioned it right away.

Criteria No. 2: Customer Support

There is a reason why not just Apple, but every major mobile manufacturer keeps the IMEI Number of the device tucked away in a hidden menu. The ability to identify devices and prevent theft is the very reason each mobile device is offered a unique IMEI Number. Now imagine giving away this confidential IMEI Number to an unknown website and on top of it, handing over your hard-earned cash can certainly be unsettling at times. Hence we made it a point to test out the customer support provided by these unlocking services three times during the entire process:

  • Before making the purchase with the service provider.
  • After making the purchase but before the unlocking process has been completed.
  • Once the iCloud Activation unlock process has been completed.

Criteria No. 3: Remove iCloud Success Rate

A low price point for the service, profoundly quick and helpful customer care support means only so much if the entire process does not yield the appropriate results. The biggest qualifier in terms of choosing the best iCloud Activation bypass tool is whether you were finally able to have a solution to overcome the activation lock on iPhone is whether the unlock process actually works at the end of it all.

Criteria No. 4: Speed of the Bypass Process

Having an iPhone unlock service provider that works is great, but the amount of time you have to wait for the unlock process is also a determining factor in the hunt for the best one out there. Rather than taking the word of the service provider on how they “usually” take to help with the iCloud Activation unlock process, we assessed the time required ourselves to find out definitive results.

Best iCloud Activation Bypass Tool

Since no two unlock service providers can be same, we’ve tried the very best to break them all down based on the criterion above. After hours of hand-tested results, we’ve concluded that the two service providers listed below are your best shot to unlocking your iOS device which has been rendered useless due to the pesky iCloud lock.

  1. AppleiPhoneUnlock – 9.5/10 (The Best Unlock iCloud Provider)

We’ve picked the AppleiPhoneUnlock. UK to be the frontrunner in the race to being the best tool for unlocking Apple iCloud Activation lock which has plagued thousands of users for years now. When tested based on the criterion that has been established above, AppleiPhoneUnlock came out with flying colors, beating the competition and most importantly, ensuring an unlocked iOS device each time.

how to bypass activation lock

Pros:

Out of the several iPhone and iPhone unlock service providers that we tested out, AppleiPhoneUnlock was the only one to complete the request to unlock all of the iPhone and iPad models provided. Since it was the only one among the competitors to be able to do this, it gives the service provider a leading advantage.

Based on the test we conducted using the 12 different iOS devices IMEI Codes that were sourced from our readers, the unlock service provider was able to unlock all of the devices within a total record time of 24 Days.

  • iPhone X – 2 days
  • iPhone XS – 2 days
  • iPhone XS Max – 2 days
  • iPhone 8 – 3 days
  • iPhone 7 – 2 days
  • iPhone 7 Plus – 2 days
  • iPhone 6 – 1 day
  • iPhone 6 Plus – 2 days
  • iPhone 6s – 2 days
  • iPhone 6s Plus – 1 day
  • iPad Pro 2018 – 3 days
  • iPad Air – 2 days

Speaking of the customer service that AppleiPhoneUnlock provides, we did not spend more than 45 minutes in wait time when reaching out to the service provider. All of our questions before, during, and even after the completion of the unlock process were answered promptly, politely, and in a helpful manner. In regards to the price, this service is just $1 cheaper than its nearest competitor, but when it comes to savings, every dollar counts right?

Cons:

We looked long and hard, putting every aspect of the service provider under microscopic view before concluding that there are no deal-breaker downsides to the AppleiPhoneUnlock service. It would be unfair to grill the service provider over the fact that the customer representative took around an hour to respond or the unlock process could’ve taken less than 2 days per device, since AppleiPhoneUnlock still beats every other name in the business in delivery time, which forces our hand to mark it as nearly flawless.

Choose AppleiPhoneUnlock

  1. DoctorUnlock – 7.5/10 (Closest Activation Bypass Competitor)

When you look at DoctorUnlock individually, it stands no less than one of the best service providers for the solution on removing activation lock on iPhone. However, since it is being compared to a service which is, in our opinion, possibly the best unlock service out there, the flaws in the workings of DoctorUnlock begin to show. Yet, the service provider comes off as a strong contender and has plenty of reasons for which it is the next best thing in the world of iCloud Activation unlocking.

Pros:

Right off the bat, this unlock service provider, when put to the test with a list of 12 different iPhone and iPad devices, was able to successfully unlock 11 of the devices. Since most service providers that we previously check out offered barely a 50% success rate, DoctorUnlock trumps them easily.

Speaking of the overall duration that it took the service to unlock the 11 iOS devices, it was certainly more than what was advertised. It took the DoctorUnlock service around 30 days in total to complete the unlocking process for 11 devices, but the service provider delivered nonetheless.

  • iPhone X – 3 days
  • iPhone XS – 2 days
  • iPhone XS Max – 3 days
  • iPhone 8 – 3 days
  • iPhone 7 – 4 days
  • iPhone 7 Plus – 2 days
  • iPhone 6 – 2 day
  • iPhone 6 Plus – 2 days
  • iPhone 6s – 3 days
  • iPhone 6s Plus – 1 day
  • iPad Pro 2018 – 3 days
  • iPad Air – Unsuccessful

The customer service and support was not as quick to respond as the competitor service provider, but we did get insightful and friendly response within a few days of launching each query. Additionally, the fact that the service costs just $1 more than AppleiPhoneUnlock, helps it stay in the race.

Cons:

First things first, the service provider may have a decent track record when it comes to unlocking the test devices, but it still failed in unlocking one of them. While it was prompt to refund our money for the failed attempt, it still counts as a failure when it comes to delivering a success iCloud unlock experience.

In regard to the delivery time, it took DoctorUnlock as much as double the time that it took the topper on the list. Albeit, taking 3-4 days to unlock an iPhone or iPad is certainly not a deal-breaker, but the fact that AppleiPhoneUnlock is able to do the same in 1-2 days makes it far more desirable, especially since it is cheaper, even if it’s just one dollar.

Finally, when it came down to the customer support, the difference in receiving a response after a few days, and getting a friendly and courteous response from AppleiPhoneUnlock within an hour certainly made an impact.

Bypass iCloud with DoctorUnlock: Here

Final Words

Whether you’ve lost the access to your iCloud account and can’t seem to remember the credentials for the life in you, or bought an iPhone or an iPad that was plagued by the Activation lock right from the start, the need for a solution on how to unlock activation lock on iPhone is something that thousands of Apple users have requested for years. For a while, there wasn’t a viable solution to this problem, but now the market seems to be crowded with iCloud Activation unlocking service providers.

For the end-user who just wants to find out which is the best tool that gets the job done, it would be a nightmare testing through the dozens of alternatives out there. Which is why we did the dirty work for you, riding through 9 different unlock service providers and settling on the conclusion that AppleiPhoneUnlock is the way to go. Not only was this unlock service provider able to deliver a 100% success rate, but did so while being the cheapest, fastest, and most reliable among its competitors.

Were you able to get your iPhone or iPad liberated from the clutches of iCloud Activation lock for good? Do you need any assistance in getting your iOS device unlocked through the service providers that we’ve handpicked for you? Simply reach out to us in the comments section and we’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.

For those wishing to unlock the Samsung FRP ReActivation Bypass Lock read this article. 

For Unlocking iCloud for all Apple Devices, read this article.