How can i get into a locked ipad

If you have an iPad, you may have set a passcode to prevent people from accessing the tablet without your permission. If you forget the iPad passcode or you repeatedly enter it wrong, the iPad is disabled. In that case, you won't be able to unlock the iPad. You can reset the iPad, using its recovery mode or a computer you've synched with iTunes, but you may not be able to access data that you haven't backed up on the device.

Table of Contents Show

Reset iPad Using iTunes
Reset iPad with Recovery Mode
Forgot the password? Don't worry, you won't be locked out for good
What to Know
How to Unlock a Disabled iPad
How to Unlock an iPad Without the Passcode

Reset iPad Using iTunes

If you've synched an iPad with a computer in the past using iTunes, you can use this computer to reset the iPad, if you've lost the passcode. The process is the same, regardless of whether you have an iPad Mini, iPad Pro or another model, and is fairly similar to the process for an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Connect the iPad to the computer using the cable that came with it. Open iTunes on the computer. If you're asked for a passcode on that computer, try using another computer, if you've synched the device with multiple computers in the past. Otherwise, you may have to use recovery mode to restore the device.

If the process is successful, iTunes will sync your device and make a backup onto your computer from your device's data. When it's done, click "Restore iPad" within iTunes. The device will be restored to factory settings. You may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID and password, so make sure you have that information handy.

You'll be asked if you want to restore data from a backup, which could be the backup you've just taken, or the choice could be an earlier backup. Look at the dates of the backups and choose the backup that makes the most sense for your needs.

Reset iPad with Recovery Mode

If you haven't synched your iPad with a computer or you don't have that computer handy, you can still restore the device, using its built-in recovery mode. You'll still need to use a computer with iTunes. If you don't have one, you can borrow one, use one at a location like a library or bring the iPad to an Apple Store location.

Connect the device to the computer and open iTunes. Hold the home button, and the top or side button. The recovery mode screen will appear, and iTunes will ask if you want to "Update" or "Restore" the device. Choose "Restore" to restore the device to factory settings.

Since you haven't synched the iPad with iTunes, any data you have on it will be lost, unless you have some other backups.

Forgot the password? Don't worry, you won't be locked out for good

Updated on September 23, 2021

What to Know

If you don't have the passcode, you can't unlock an iPad.
You can erase the iPad and start over, so while the data will be gone, you will be able to use the iPad itself again.
If you know the passcode but the iPad is locked, wait until the iPad lets you try again.

This article explains what to do if your iPad is disabled, either because you entered the wrong passcode too many times or because you forget your passcode and can't unlock it.

How to Unlock a Disabled iPad

If you enter the wrong passcode when trying to unlock your iPad too many times in a row, your iPad may become disabled. Sometimes, the screen will show that your iPad is disabled. In other cases, it may ask you to try again in five minutes or tell you that your iPad is disabled for many days or years (that's not true; it just means that you should wait a minute) or to connect to your computer.

Apple Inc.

Apple disables your iPad because the passcode is a security measure. If you enter the wrong passcode too many times, your iPad assumes that you must not be the owner and that this is an attempt to break into it. Temporarily disabling the iPad stops that.

If you still know the correct passcode and just entered the wrong thing, the problem is easy to solve: Wait a few minutes. Once the disabled message disappears from the screen, try unlocking it again and, if you use the correct passcode, it will work, and you'll be back to using your iPad.

How to Unlock an iPad Without the Passcode

The more significant challenge is unlocking an iPad when you either don't know the passcode or have forgotten it. In that case, there's bad news: your only option is to put your iPad into Recovery Mode, totally erase the data from your iPad, and set it up fresh. Hopefully, you have a recent backup of your data and can restore that onto your iPad.

Here's how to factory reset an iPad without the passcode:

Make sure your iPad isn't connected to a computer using a cable or over Wi-Fi.
Turn off your iPad. How you do this depends on the model you have:
- iPads with Face ID: Press and hold the Top button and either volume button.
- iPads without Face ID: Press and hold the Top button.
The Slide to Power Off slider appears; let go of the buttons and move the slider.
Again, the next step depends on what model you have:
- iPads with Face ID: Using a cable, connect your iPad to your computer while holding down the Top button.
- iPads without Face ID: Using a cable, connect your iPad to your computer while holding down the Home button.
Apple Inc. Apple Inc.
If your iPad boots up like normal, you haven't done it right and need to try steps 2 and 3 again.
However, If you see the Recovery Mode screen—an icon of a computer with a cable pointing it—you're ready to proceed. (see image above)
On your Mac or PC, you need to follow the onscreen steps to Restore your iPad.
- macOS Catalina (10.15) or higher: Open a new Finder window and click your iPad in the left sidebar.
- macOS 10.14 or earlier, or Windows: Open iTunes and click the iPad icon at the top left corner.
Click Restore. It erases your iPad and restores it to factory settings. Click any onscreen pop-ups to proceed.
When your iPad is erased, you'll go through the standard set-up steps.
If you have a recent backup of your data that you want to use, when you get to the screen about setting up your iPad, choose Restore from Backup.