Locked Out of iPad? How to Get Back In When You Forgot the Passcode

If you're locked out of your iPad, the right solution depends on why you can't get in. You may have forgotten the passcode, entered the wrong passcode too many times, or recently changed your passcode and can't remember the new one.

The good news is that Apple now provides several ways to regain access. In some cases, you can even unlock the iPad without erasing your data. Start with the quick guide below to find the best option for your situation.

Quick Answer: What to Do If You're Locked Out of Your iPad

Your Situation	Best Method	Data Loss?	Computer Needed?
You changed the passcode within the last 72 hours	Use your previous passcode	No	No
You forgot the passcode and see Forgot Passcode?	Reset from the lock screen	Yes	No
Find My is enabled	Erase the iPad with Find My	Yes	No
Lock-screen reset is unavailable	Use Recovery Mode	Yes	Yes
You want a guided alternative on PC/Mac	TunesKit iPhone Unlocker	Yes for screen passcode removal	Yes

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Why Am I Locked Out of My iPad?

An iPad usually becomes locked because the screen passcode was forgotten or entered incorrectly too many times. After repeated failed attempts, the iPad may display messages such as iPad Unavailable or Security Lockout. There is also an important distinction:

• Forgotten screen passcode: You cannot get past the normal iPad lock screen.
• iPad Unavailable/Security Lockout: Too many incorrect passcode attempts have triggered Apple's security protection.
• iPad Locked to Owner: This is Activation Lock, not a screen-passcode lock.

If your problem is a forgotten screen passcode, use the methods below in order.

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How to Get Into an iPad When You're Locked Out

If you're locked out of your iPad, the best solution depends on your iPadOS version, whether you remember an older passcode, and whether Find My is enabled. Try the following methods in order, starting with options that avoid data loss.

Method 1. Use Your Previous Passcode Within 72 Hours — No Data Loss

This should be your first choice if you recently changed your iPad passcode and then forgot the new one.

Apple's Passcode Reset feature is available on iPadOS 17 and later. After changing your passcode, you have a 72-hour window during which the previous passcode can still be used to regain access. This method does not require a computer or an iPad reset.

• Step 1. Enter an incorrect passcode until the iPad Unavailable screen appears.
• Step 2. Tap Forgot Passcode? at the bottom of the screen.
• Step 3. Tap Enter Previous Passcode. Enter the old iPad passcode.
• Step 4. Follow the onscreen instructions to create a new passcode.
• 

Method 2. Use Forgot Passcode? to Reset a Locked iPad Without a Computer

If you completely forgot the passcode, newer iPads can be erased directly from the lock screen without connecting to a computer. For an iPad running iPadOS 17 or later, the Forgot Passcode? option can appear when the iPad is locked out. The iPad must have an internet connection, Find My must already be enabled, and you need the password for the Apple Account signed in on the device.

For iPadOS 17 or Later

• Step 1. Enter the wrong passcode until you see iPad Unavailable.
• Step 2. Tap Forgot Passcode?.
• Step 3. Tap Start iPad Reset.
• 
• Step 4. Enter your Apple Account password to sign out of the account on the iPad.
• Step 5. Tap Erase iPad to erase the device and remove the forgotten screen passcode.
• Step 6. After the iPad restarts, follow the setup instructions and restore your data from a backup if one is available.

This process permanently erases the data and settings currently stored on the iPad.

What About iPadOS 15.2 or iPadOS 16?

The interface is different on older versions. On iPadOS 15.2 through iPadOS 16, Apple displays an Erase iPad option instead of the newer Forgot Passcode? workflow when the required conditions are met.

Method 3. Erase a Locked iPad with Find My

If you don't see the lock-screen reset option, another way to unlock a locked iPad without using Recovery Mode is to erase it through Find My. This method works only if Find My was enabled before you were locked out and you can sign in to the Apple Account associated with the iPad. Apple allows an iPad to be erased remotely from Find My or Find Devices on iCloud.

• Step 1. Open Find My on another Apple device, or open Find Devices through iCloud.com in a browser.
• Step 2. Sign in with the Apple Account associated with the locked iPad.
• Step 3. Choose Devices and select the locked iPad.
• Step 4. Select Erase.
• 
• Step 5. Confirm the request and enter your Apple Account password if prompted.

If the locked iPad is offline, the erase request remains pending and begins the next time the iPad connects to the internet. Once the erase is complete, set up the iPad again and restore an available backup.

Method 4. Reset a Locked iPad with Recovery Mode

If Forgot Passcode? is unavailable and you cannot use Find My, Apple's Recovery Mode is the standard fallback. You need a Mac or Windows PC, a suitable USB cable, and an internet connection. Restoring the iPad removes its passcode by erasing the device and reinstalling iPadOS.

• Step 1. Power off your iPad and then connect the iPad to your computer.
• Step 2. Put the iPad into Recovery Mode:

For an iPad without a Home button, quickly press and release the Volume button closest to the Top button. Quickly press and release the other Volume button. Press and hold the Top button. Continue holding it until the Recovery Mode screen showing a computer and cable appears.

For an iPad with a Home button, press and hold the Home and Top/Side buttons. Keep holding until the Recovery Mode screen appears. Do not release the button when the Apple logo first appears.

• Step 3. On a Mac, open Finder. On a Windows PC, Apple's current instructions use the Apple Devices app. Apple also documents iTunes for older Mac or Windows configurations that do not use Apple Devices.
• Step 4. Locate the iPad and select Restore when you see the Restore or Update options.
• 
• Step 5. Wait for iPadOS to download and the restore to finish.

Method 5. Unlock a Locked iPad with TunesKit iPhone Unlocker

Recovery Mode works, but manually entering Recovery Mode and handling Finder, Apple Devices, firmware downloads, and restore errors may be inconvenient for some users. In that case, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker provides a guided alternative for removing an iPhone or iPad screen lock from a Windows PC or Mac. Its Unlock iOS Screen feature is designed for situations such as:

• Forgotten iPad passcodes
• Disabled or unavailable iPads
• 4-digit and 6-digit passcodes
• Touch ID or Face ID locks

TunesKit's current product documentation lists support for these screen-lock types and provides a firmware-based unlocking workflow for your locked iPad.

Step 1. Connect the Locked iPad

Install and open TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your PC or Mac. Connect the locked iPad with a USB cable. Choose Unlock iOS Screen, then click Start.

Step 2. Put iPad into Recovery/DFU Mode

Follow the onscreen instructions to put the device into the required mode if necessary.

Step 3. Download the Firmware Package

Check the displayed iPad model and system information. Click the Download button to download the firmware package that matches your iPad. TunesKit uses the firmware package during the unlocking process.

Step 4. Remove the iPad Screen Passcode

After the firmware is ready, click Unlock and keep the iPad connected until the process finishes. The screen passcode will be removed, after which you can set up the iPad again.

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Can You Unlock an iPad Without Losing Data?

Sometimes, but only in limited situations.

If you changed your iPad passcode within the previous 72 hours and the device is running iPadOS 17 or later, Apple's Passcode Reset feature can let you use the previous passcode and create a new one without erasing the iPad.

However, if you have completely forgotten the passcode and cannot use Passcode Reset, Apple's normal recovery methods require the iPad to be erased. You can then restore your photos, apps, settings, and other content from an existing iCloud or computer backup.

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What If the iPad Says "iPad Locked to Owner"?

iPad Locked to Owner is different from being locked out because you forgot the screen passcode. The message indicates Activation Lock, which links the device to an Apple Account through Find My. Resetting the iPad with Recovery Mode does not by itself remove that ownership protection.

If it is your iPad, sign in with the Apple Account previously associated with the device. If you bought the iPad second-hand, Apple recommends asking the previous owner to remove the device from their account. Apple may also provide an Activation Lock support process when eligible ownership documentation is available. For this reason, Activation Lock should be treated separately from a forgotten iPad screen passcode.

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FAQs About Being Locked Out of an iPad

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Final Thoughts

When you're locked out of your iPad, don't immediately erase it. First check whether you can use your previous passcode within Apple's 72-hour Passcode Reset window. This is the best option because it can restore access without losing data.

If that doesn't apply, choose the method that matches your setup: use Forgot Passcode? for an on-device reset, Find My for remote erasing, or Recovery Mode when you have access to a computer. For users who prefer a guided unlocking workflow on Windows or Mac, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is another option for removing a forgotten iPad screen passcode, but screen-passcode removal will erase the device.