If you cannot provide proof of purchase, the better temporary free method is a modified DNS bypass. The old method using 78.109.17.60 is dead. A modern working DNS server for iOS 9.3.5 is rare, but one verified server still works as of 2026.
How to perform the DNS bypass on iPad Mini 1 iOS 9.3.5:
Once inside, you can use the iPad Mini 1 for:
What you CANNOT do after DNS bypass:
❌ Sign into iCloud.
❌ Use iMessage or FaceTime.
❌ Download apps from the official App Store (directly).
❌ Restore or update the iPad (will brick the bypass).
Why this is "better" than paid tools:
✅ 100% free.
✅ No jailbreak required.
✅ No malware risk.
✅ Works offline after initial setup.
For the technically inclined, the best method is to load a custom SSH ramdisk and manually delete the activation lock files. bypass icloud ipad mini 1 ios 93 5 better
This brings us to the hardware solution. If you search deep enough into forums, you will find technicians discussing a method that involves the Baseband (Cellular) chip.
This applies specifically to the cellular (4G/LTE) models of the iPad Mini 1.
The theory is that the Activation Lock checks the device's identity against two sources: the Logic Board serial number and the Baseband chip (which holds the IMEI). By physically removing the Baseband chip and bridging the connections, you can trick the iPad into thinking it is a Wi-Fi only model.
This is the only method that results in a usable, stable iPad Mini 1 that can be restored and used normally. It is "better" in terms of functionality, but it requires hardware modification that is beyond the average user.
| Feature | Apple Official | DNS Bypass | IMEI Paid Removal | Jailbreak (Sliver) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Cost | Free | Free | $15–$25 | Free | | Permanent | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (resets on reboot) | ✅ Yes | ❌ Tethered | | iCloud features | Full | None | Full | None | | Risk | None | None | Low (scam sellers) | High (brick) | | Time | 5–10 days | 10 minutes | 2 days | 1 hour | | Best for | Owners with receipt | Safe temporary use | Owners without receipt | Developers only | If you cannot provide proof of purchase, the
🔹 The "Better" winner for most users: If you have a receipt → Apple Official. If not → IMEI server-side removal (paid) or DNS bypass (free but limited).
There is a specific kind of frustration that comes with an old iPad Mini 1. It was a beloved device—pocket-sized, perfect for reading, and surprisingly durable. But today, if you are holding one running iOS 9.3.5 and staring at an "Activate iPad" screen, you are likely experiencing a unique form of digital hell.
You found this post by searching for something very specific: "bypass icloud ipad mini 1 ios 9.3.5 better."
That word—"better"—is telling. It implies you’ve already tried the tools. You’ve sat through the progress bars of dubious software, you’ve edited PLIST files, or you’ve watched videos promising a "100% working method" that turned out to be a dead end. You aren’t just looking for a bypass; you are looking for a clean solution, one that actually works.
This is a deep dive into the reality of the iCloud Activation Lock on the iPad Mini 1, why the "better" solution is so elusive, and the one hardware reality that no software tool can fix. Tap Join
The iPad will boot directly to the home screen with no Apple ID attached. This method is permanent and reversible.
com.apple.springboard.plist and remove the activation lock UI.Why this is better:
Once you bypass an iPad Mini 1 on iOS 9.3.5, never:
Doing any of the above will restore the activation lock, and you will have to start over from scratch.