Solved! How to Unlock iPad with iTunes

"Hello, my iPad is disabled now, and a notification pops up that says iPad is disabled connect to iTunes. However, I don't know how to unlock it via iTunes. All the suggestions would be greatly appreciated."

People often struggle to remember their passwords. Everyone has suffered the situation where they cannot unlock the iPad as the passcodes are forgotten. You will see this iPad disabled notification after attempting the wrong passcode multiple times. As the warning says, you should connect your iPad to iTunes or Finder to unlock it. If you are now facing the same trouble, this post would be helpful. Today, we will talk about how to unlock an iPad with iTunes step by step. Read it on.

Part 1. Why Is Your iPad Locked or Disabled?

Your iPad becomes locked when the passcode is entered incorrectly too many times. After repeated attempts, the device locks itself as a security measure to protect the data inside. Common messages include:

• iPad Unavailable, try again in X minutes
• iPad is Disabled, connect to iTunes
• Security Lockout

Regardless of the message, the solution is the same: put the iPad into Recovery Mode and unlock it using iTunes or Finder.

Part 2. Step-by-Step Guide to Unlock iPad with iTunes

If you're still using iTunes on your Windows or macOS computer, you can easily unlock your disabled iPad with it. Here is how. Click on the navigation bar below according to your own situation.

1.1 On Windows & macOS Mojave or Earlier

iTunes is still one of the most effective methods to unlock an iPad if you forgot the passcode. If you have synced your iPad with iTunes before, you can do it very easily. However, doing so will erase all your iPad content. The following are the detailed steps about using iTunes to unlock a disabled iPad.

Step 1: Connect your iPad to your computer, and then launch iTunes.

Step 2: Then, you will see your iPad icon on the toolbar. Click on it and navigate to the next step.

Step 3: Click on the Summary icon on the left menu, and here you will see a Restore iPad option. Click on it, and iTunes will start to restore your iPad. After restoring, you will be able to access your iPad again.

If you haven't synced your iPad with iTunes before, you can still unlock it with iTunes in a complicated way. You can first put your iPad into Recovery mode and then take the assistance of iTunes. Let's see how to put an iPad into Recovery mode.

For an iPad with Home button:

Step 1: Run iTunes on your computer and connect your iPad to the computer.

Step 2: Turn off the iPad by keeping holding the Side button. When your iPad is off, hold down the Home button.

Step 3: Release the Home button until you see the Connect to iTunes notification. It refers to you having put your iPad into Recovery mode successfully.

For an iPad without Home button:

Step 1: Launch iTunes on computer and then connect iPad to the computer.

Step 2: Turn off your iPad by pressing the Volume Down and Side button.

Step 3: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, and do the same with the Volume Down button. Then keep holding the Side button until your iPad enters Recovery mode.

After your device is in the Recovery mode successfully, iTunes will show you a pop-up window that asks you to Restore or Update your iPad. Click the Restore button to unlock your disabled iPad. You should keep your iPad connecting to iTunes in the process of restoring.

1.2 On macOS Catalina or Later

If you are a macOS user, you will find that iTunes is disabled on your latest system (macOS Catalina or later version). As the software update, iTunes is now Finder. Hence, if you need to restore or back up your iPad on Mac, launch Finder instead iTunes. Now, let's see how to unlock your disabled iPad on Finder.

Step 1: Connect your iPad to your Mac and launch Finder. You can use a USB cable or USB-C cable to make it.

Step 2: Once you connect your iPad to your Mac, you will find your device in the Finder Sidebar.

Step 3: Navigate to the button bar, and you will see a General option. Click on it.

Step 4: In this phase, you will see a Restore option. Click on it and follow the onscreen instruction to restore your iPad. The screen lock on your iPad will be erased after restoring.

Part 3. Troubleshooting: iTunes Fails to Detect or Restore

If iTunes/Finder fails to detect your device, or if iTunes restore gets stuck, try the following solutions. If none of these work, try another computer if possible.

Part 4. How to Unlock iPad Without iTunes (Alternative Methods)

If you prefer not to use iTunes or don't have a computer, here are your options. Some even help you unlock your disabled iPad without a passcode.

4.1 Unlock iPad Using iCloud

If you previously enabled Find My iPad, you can erase and unlock the device remotely using iCloud. This is one of the easiest methods because it does not require a computer. You can initiate it from another phone or tablet.

Step 1: Open a browser on another device, and visit iCloud website.

Step 2: Sign in using your Apple ID (same as the locked iPad).

Step 3: Select All Devices at the top. Choose your iPad from the list.

Step 4: Click Erase iPad. Confirm again to erase.

Once the erase begins, the iPad will wipe itself and restart. You can then set it up as new or restore from an iCloud/iTunes backup.

4.2 Unlock iPad Using "Erase Device" Feature (iPadOS 15.2+)

Starting from iPadOS 15.2, Apple introduced a built-in option to erase the iPad directly from the lock screen. This method is often overlooked, but it's the simplest way to unlock a disabled iPad without iTunes and without another device.

Step 1: After repeated wrong passcode attempts, wait until the Security Lockout screen appears.

Step 2: Tap Erase iPad at the bottom right. Tap Erase iPad again to confirm.

Step 3: Enter your Apple ID password when prompted.

Step 4: The iPad will erase itself and restart.

4.3 Unlock iPad with Third-Party Unlock Tool - TunesKit iPad Unlocker

What if you have forgotten both the passcode and Apple ID password? Seeking help from a third-party tool is the best choice in this circumstance. Here, I will recommend TunesKit iPad Unlocker to you.

It is a remarkable and forceful iOS unlocking tool that helps unlock iPhone/iPad/iPod when you forget the passcode or the device is disabled. No matter 4-digit, 6-digit, fingerprint, or Face ID, TunesKit iPad Unlock can unlock it within several steps. You can download and launch it on both Windows and Mac.

Let's see the step-by-step guide about using TunesKit iPad Unlocker to unlock your iPad.

Step 1Connect iPad to computer

To begin with, please connect your iPad to a computer via a USB cable. Then, launch TunesKit iPhone Unlocker. Choose the Unlock iOS Screen option and click on the Start button.

Step 2Put iPad into Recovery mode

In this phase, you can follow the onscreen instruction to put your iPad into Recovery mode. When you make it successfully, click on the Next button.

Step 3Download firmware package

Ensure that the onscreen information corresponds to your iPad. If there is nothing wrong, click on the Download button.

Step 4Unlock your iPad

Click on the Unlock button after downloading. And You will be able to access your iPad as soon as the unlocking process is finished.

Part 5. [YouTube Video] How to Unlock iPad Disabled Connect to iTunes

In the following video, we will show you 5 effective ways to fix your iPad when it's disabled, even if you don't know your Apple ID or password.

Part 6. FAQs Related to Unlocking Disabled iPad

Part 7. Conclusion

In most cases, iTunes is enough to unlock your disabled iOS devices. If you are encountering the knotty situations that iTunes can't deal with, you can take the assistance of TunesKit iPad Unlocker. TunesKit iPad Unlocker will never let you down when you are blocked out of your iOS devices. Share your experience with us in the comment below.