How to Reset A Locked/Disabled iPad[2020 High Success Rate]
Last Updated on September 15, 2021 by Jack Robertson
- Jessica from Apple Community asked:
Well, I forget the passcode on one of my idle iPad and I tried to unlock it but failed. Now my iPad is disabled, I cannot get into it. I just want to use it again, can anybody help? Thanks a lot.
Forgetting the screen passcode on your iPad can be really troublesome, if you cannot recall the correct passcode, you cannot get into the iPad anymore. It can be worse when you turn it to a disabled iPad like Jessica did since you can only reset the disabled iPad and cannot unlock it even if you recall the passcode.
if you want to regain access to this locked or disabled iPad, you need to reset it. The locked screen or disabled screen will be removed after the reset is done, you can have access to the iPad and use it without the old passcode.
Check out the methods below and learn how to reset your locked/disabled iPad.
How to reset a locked or disabled iPad:
- Method 1 Reset a locked/disabled iPad via iTunes
- Method 2 Reset a locked/ disabled iPad without iTunes
Cautions:
Resetting your device will erase all data and contents on it, so, you’d better back up your locked iPad beforehand.
Method 1 Reset a locked iPad with iTunes
iTunes is definitely useful when it comes to resetting a locked iPad and here are how you can make iTunes helpful.
Situation 1 When you’ve synced iPad to iTunes before
If you’ve synced your tablet to iTunes before, you can just connect your locked tablet to the PC with a USB cable. Make sure Find My iPad is disabled on the tablet, otherwise, this method will not help.
After iTunes recognize your tablet, go to Devices and choose the icon of your device, then, enter Summary.
To reset your device, choose Restore iPad, you’re required to enter your Apple account password to confirm the restore.
Situation 2 When you’ve never synced iPad to iTunes or Find My iPad is enabled
If “Trust This Computer” appears when you plug in your tablet to the computer or Find My iPad is enabled on this tablet, you can still use iTunes, but you need to set your iPad into recovery mode.
Here’s how you can use recovery mode and iTunes to reset your device.
Step 1 Recovery mode
To enter recovery mode, power off your tablet first.
- If your iPad has a Home button, press and hold the Home button and Top button, don’t release them till you see the recovery-mode screen, then, connect your device to the computer with a USB cable.
- If your iPad has a Face ID, press and hold the Top button and Volume up button, don’t release them till you see the recovery-mode screen, then, connect your tablet to the PC with a USB cable.
Doing so, iTunes will detect your iPad and launch automatically.
Step 2 Restore your iPad
On Devices, choose the iPad you want to reset. A notification pops out saying that there is an issue on your iPad, and 2 options are provided, Update or Restore. Here, choose Restore to reset your iPad.
It will take a few minutes to download a firmware to restore your iPad. When the firmware is downloaded, iTunes will start to restore your device.
Your iPad will be reset after iTunes finishes its work. You can power it on and set it up again.
Cautions:
- Recovery mode has a 15-minute time limit, if the whole process takes more than 15 minutes, your tablet will exit the mode. You need to repeat all the steps.
- >Using recovery mode comes with risks. Your tablet has a 15% chance of being stuck in recovery mode, but don’t worry, if you’re really that unlucky, you can click here to fix the “stuck in recovery mode” and “iPad is disabled” problems simultaneously.
Method 2 Reset your Locked/Disabled iPad without iTunes
Using iTunes to reset the disabled iPad comes with multiple limits. You might wonder if there’s a way that you can reset your iPad without recovery mode or experience of syncing. Indeed, there’s one, iPhone Unlocker, the best iOS resetting and unlocking tool in the market.
iPhone Unlocker is the powerful software that you can use to reset your locked and disabled device without passcode and recovery mode. You can do it within minutes with only a few clicks.
To find out how to use it, check this out.
Step 1 Install iPhone Unlocker on your PC
Step 2 Launch it and choose Wipe Passcode
iPhone Unlocker provides 3 features, you can use these 3 features to solve your iOS password and passcode issues.
- Wipe Passcode: unlock/reset your disabled or locked device when you forget the passcode.
- Remove Apple ID: delete the Apple account on an iOS device.
- Screen Time: reset the Restriction passcode on iDevices.
So, here, to reset your locked iPad, choose Wipe Passcode, click Start to proceed.
Step 3 Reset your device
You need to check the information of your device, click Start to confirm. Then, download a firmware to reset your device on your PC.
After the download is complete, click Unlock, then, you need to enter the code for reset confirmation, “0000” on the software. Click Unlock to start the reset.
iPhone Unlocker will reset your device afterward, please wait patiently.
When the reset is done, power on your device and activate it. You can have it back to normal later. Just enjoy your time with your iPad, but try your best not to forget the passcode or make your device disabled again.