Did you forget your iPad passcode? If your iPad is unavailable after too many incorrect password guesses, there's a way to get in, but you'll need to erase all the data and restore iPad to factory settings.
If your iPad is unavailable or you forgot the passcode, you'll need to restore the iPad to its original factory settings.
Let's say you take out your iPad as usual, the tablet requires the passcode for unlocking, but no matter how many times you type in the codes, it wouldn't unlock. Oops.
You're not alone, though. If your iPad locks you out because you forget the passcode, or the iPad says unavailable from entering the wrong passcode too many times, you will need to factory reset the iPad. In the past, Apple allows you to use iTunes on computer to erase all the data on the iPad and restore it to factory settings after entering Recovery mode, now it simplifies the process, letting you reset the iPad with Apple ID and password.
Doing an iPad factory reset without password means you'd have to set it up again. If you have iPad backed up, you will be prompted to restore the iPad to recovery your data and settings when you sign in with your iCloud credentials. If you haven't backed up your data, you will need to set the iPad up as new, but you download any data that you have synced with iCloud.
Here, we focus primarily on resetting iPad without passcode, but the guide applies to factory resetting iPhone. The article involves using iTunes, Finder, new released Forgot Passcode feature, Find My iPad, and a reliable third-party tool named iPhone Unlocker if you need a quick and easy way to get the iPad reset.
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Resetting an iPad, when you don't remember the passcode, will restore it to factory settings. It should be noted that this requires you to know your Apple ID and password that was used to set up the iPad. If you don't have this information, you will be stuck in Activation Lock and permanently locked out of iPad during setup process. This security measure is to protect your iPad from someone use it without permissions after factory resetting iPad.
What you'll need: Everything you need to reset your iPad is your iPad itself, you don't need a computer or another device involved.
Remember that resetting locked iPad without password can erase all content, preferences, and settings, and restore the iPad to factory settings. This is a complete reset with nothing left. You will be prompted to set the iPad up again after it's reset. Hopefully, you have backup in computer or iCloud to restore your data.
The steps for you might differ slightly from what we outline below due to different iPadOS versions that runs on the iPads.
1. Enter the passcode to the Lock screen several times.
2. When you see an iPad Unavailable or iPad Security Lockout screen, keep entering your passcode.
3. When you're able to, tap the Forgot Passcode? option in the bottom. The Forgot Passcode? option appears only when your iPad has iPadOS 17 or later and it's connecting to a cellular or Wi-Fi network. For iPads running iPadOS 15.2 - iPadOS 16, an Erase iPad option appears instead. If you're having trouble finding either of buttons, skip to the next method.
4. Select Start iPad Reset to proceed.
5. Enter your Apple ID password to sign out of the iCloud.
6. Click Erase iPad. Your iPad will be reset and restored to factory settings. Once done, log in with your Apple ID to set up your iPad as new.
If you're annoyed by the absence of "Forgot Passcode?" or "Erase iPad" feature on your iPad, there's a solid program that makes your iPad easy to unlock without the passcode. It's simply called the iPhone Unlocker app.
Don't let the name fool you. It's an all-in-one program that's available for Windows and macOS, giving you the ability to wipe lock passcode, Apple ID password, or ScreenTime codes on either iPhone or iPad. You can even remove MDM profiles and remove iTunes backup encryption settings. With its sleek and intuitive design, unlocking your iPad has never been easier.
Step 1. Launch iPhone Unlocker and select "Wipe Passcode."
Let's start by opening iPhone Unlocker. From the main interface, select "Wipe Passcode" to unlock iPad without password.
A new page will open asking you to connect the device to computer. Do it as required. If you can't see the device in the program, you may click "Device connected but not recognized?" link to place the iPad into Recovery mode.
Step 2. Double check your iPad information
Once connected, the program will begin show the basic information for your iPad. double check here to ensure that everything is correct.
Step 3. Download the latest iPadOS software.
Click the "Start" button and it will download the latest software for your iPad.
Step 4. Reset the iPad.
When you're ready, click the "Unlock" button on the screen. A pop-up window will appear asking if you wish to delete all your data and install the latest software on this iPad. Type in 0000
Now, click "Unlock" one more time. It begins the iPad restore process.
iTunes comes with a Restore option to get an iPad reset without passcode if you've ever connected the iPad to computer. If you forgot your passcode, or you've been locked out from entering the incorrect passcode too many times repeatedly, you still can reset your iPad with iTunes on the computer. But this time, you will need to place the iPad into recovery mode first to enable Restore option. Here's how.
1. Make sure you have access to a Windows PC or Mac.
Resetting iPad using Recovery mode requires you to use a computer and have iTunes installed, which is available to download from the Microsoft Store app. If you're running a Mac, you can open the pre-installed Finder app instead and enter Recovery mode to reset your iPad. If you're using a PC, be sure to check that iTunes has been updated to the latest version and you have a strong internet connection.
2. Turn off the iPad.
iPad with Face ID: Press and hold either the Volume Up or Volume Down button and the Top button at the same time for a few seconds. When you see the power off slider, drag the slider from left to right. Wait until the iPad turns off completely.
iPad with Home button: Press and hold the Top button for a few seconds until you're prompted with the Slide to power off, Emergency call, and Cancel options. Tap the Slide to power off option to shut off the iPad.
3. Connect your iPad to the computer.
Once connected, open the Apple Devices app or iTunes on your PC (Windows 10 or later), or open a Finder window.
4. Get into Recovery mode.
To unlock an iPad without password, you will need to launch the Recovery mode in iTunes to update or restore your iPad. This process will vary from model to model. But, don't worry, it's pretty easy.
iPad with Face ID: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Keep holding the button until iPad shows a black screen with an image of a computer and a cable, let the button go. You're in Recovery mode now.
iPad with Home button: Press and hold both the Home and the Side buttons at the same time. Release the buttons only if you see the Recovery mode appear on the screen.
Instead, if you see a passcode screen, it means you're failing to enter the iPad to Recovery mode. you need to start all over again.
5. Wipe the iPad.
Once Recovery mode has been started, back to your computer, iTunes should automatically pop up a window. It will give you the option to restore or update the iPad. Click Restore.
Your iPad should reboot and go through factory resetting. Wait for the computer to download iPadOS software and install to your device. It will take a few time to complete.
If, in this step, you're failing to reset your iPad to remove the passcode — the rest process takes longer than 15 minutes and forces the iPad to exit Recovery mode, start all over again.
6. Set the iPad back up using your Apple ID.
Once the iPad is restored, follow the prompts to sign in with your Apple ID to set the iPad up again. During the process, you'll be asked if you want to restore data from an iCloud or iTunes backup. If you have, do it to recover your data.
The good news is, even if you can't use a computer to factory reset a locked iPad with Recovery mode after forgetting the passcode, you can make use of the Find My iPad function in iCloud. Never see this option in your iCloud? This guide will show you exactly where to go.
1. Go to iCloud Find My
To erase iPad without passcodes, open a web browser to sign in to your iCloud.com with Apple ID and password you used on this iPad currently. You can also perform this task directly in Find My app through another Apple device. We'll do this on a computer.
Next, select Find My icon from the iCloud menu.
2. Find iPad from the list
It will open a new window with "All Devices" option located at the top. Click "All Devices" and scroll down through the expanding list of devices until you see your locked iPad. Select it to enter its menu.
3. Click Erase iPad.
The iPad menu shows you Play Sound, Lost Mode and Erase iPad options. To reset iPad to factory settings without password, select Erase iPad.
4. Confirm you want to erase the iPad passcode.
A popup will appear. Click Erase to confirm you want to erase the iPad completely, which deletes all of its content and settings, including the forgotten passcode.
5. Verify your Apple ID password.
At this point, you will need to sign in to your iPad with Apple ID to confirm your identity. After confirming, all data and settings in iPad will be wiped out, the passcode will be removed, and the Unavailable message or Security Lockout screen will be cleared, too.
6. Set the iPad up again.
Once the iPad finishes restoring to factory settings, you'll be able to set up your iPad as new. You will want to sign in with the same Apple ID and password to activate it. If you have iPad backed up before, you have option to restore from your most recent backup.
For those who want to sell the old iPad or trade it in, erasing all of the data on an iPad — that includes photos, videos, call history, contacts, messages, browsing history, apps, settings, and restoring it to its factory settings is necessary and crucial. Given that you know your passcode, doing an iPad factory reset from the iPad's Settings is straightforward and easy.
Before you reset your iPad to factory settings, you should back up your device so you can recover data later: open iPad > Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.
Once it's backed up, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. This will complete a factory reset from your iPad.
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