Before Checkra1n, tools like Phoenix Jailbreak were popular for iOS 9.3.5. This was a semi-untethered jailbreak.
Since you want a free solution, you have two primary routes for the iPad Mini 1 (iOS 9.3.5).
If you bought from eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or a garage sale, contact the seller and ask them to remove the device from their iCloud account remotely. They can do this without having the iPad: bypass icloud ipad mini 1 ios 93 5 free
Why is the iPad Mini 1 different from an iPad Pro or an iPhone 13?
The iPad Mini 1 runs on the Apple A5 chip. This older architecture, combined with the specific firmware version of iOS 9.3.5, is susceptible to a "untethered" or "semi-tethered" jailbreak. The Activation Lock is a security feature designed to render a device useless if it is wiped without the owner's Apple ID credentials. However, a bypass works by modifying the system files (specifically the setup.app) to "trick" the device into skipping the activation screen. Before Checkra1n, tools like Phoenix Jailbreak were popular
Because this device cannot update to iOS 10 or later, Apple cannot patch the specific vulnerabilities that tools use to access the file system.
There are legitimate iCloud removal services for older devices like iPad Mini 1, but they are not free and often use hacked Apple employee tools or phishing. Using them may violate your local laws. But remember: Apple can relock the device after
If you still consider paid bypass:
But remember: Apple can relock the device after future restores. There’s no guarantee.