Forgot iPad Passcode? 5 Easy and Fast Ways to Unlock It

Sarahi Johns
Last updated: Sep 12, 2023

What to do if you can't remember iPad passcode and are locked out of your iPad? Find out the effective solutions in this post!

The message "iPad is disabled, connect to iTunes" can be frustrating as it signifies being locked out of your iPad. But don't worry, there are methods to unlocking a disabled iPad if you forgot passcode on iPad.

So, without wasting any more time, let's delve into the various options you have when you find yourself unable to recall your iPad passcode.

Unlock iPad if You Forgot iPad Passcode

1. Fix Forgot iPad Passcode via "Forgot Passcode" Option on iOS 17

Recommend: ★★★★★

Pros:

  • Easy
  • No data loss

Cons:

  • Previous passcode requirement
  • Time limit

iOS 17 brings Apple users an easy and convenient option to unlock an iPad if you change your iPad passcode and forget it within 72 hours.

After 4 times wrong attempts, there will be a "Forgot Passcode?" option on the screen. Just tap on it and enter your previous passcode to access your iPad and create a new one.

2. Unlock iPad Passcode without Computer When Forgot iPad Passcode

Recommend: ★★★★☆

Pros:

  • No Computer Requirement

Cons:

  • 15.2 iPadOS and later version limit.

The easiest and quickest way to unlock iPad without passcode is to use the "Erase iPad" feature on your iPad.

If your iPad is running iPadOS 15.2 and later and you have Find My turned on, you can easily wipe your iPad without a computer.

After entering the wrong passcode too many times in a row, you'll see the Erase iPad option at the bottom of the iPad Unavailable/Security Lockout screen. Follow these steps to erase your iPad: Tap Erase iPad > Sign in to your Apple ID > tap Erase iPad > Set up your iPad.

Notes
  1. This method will ask you to enter your Apple ID account number and password. Also, it requires your iPad to be connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network.
  2. All the methods mentioned in this article will erase all your data. If you have iCloud backup, you can restore the backup after restoring your iPad. We recommend you back up your iPad regularly.

3. Unlock Disabled iPad with the "Find My" App When Forgot iPad Passcode

Recommend: ★★★★

Pros:

  • Easy

Cons:

  • Another iOS Device Requirement

Another way to unlock iPad passcode without computer is to use the Find My app. This method is super convenient if you have multiple iOS devices or if it is easier to borrow a family member or friend's iOS device. It also requires your Apple ID account and password. (Unless you have previously signed in to the same Apple ID on that iOS device).

Here is how to unlock iPad without password via Find My:

If you already signed in with your Apple ID on another iOS device:

  1. Open Find My app.
  2. Tap Devices>tap your iPad icon>Erase iPad.
Erase iPad Using Find My App

If you have not signed in your Apple ID before:

  1. Open Find My App.
  2. Tap MeHelp a Friend>Sign in > Use a different Apple ID and sign in with your Apple ID.
  3. Tap your iPad's icon and then Erase This Device.

4. Unlock an iPad with BuhoUnlocker When Forgot Passcode on iPad

Recommend: ★★★★☆

Pros:

  • Professional
  • Safe
  • On-screen Tutorial

Cons:

  • You may need to wait for a while when downloading Firmware.

The safest and most effective way to unlock iPad without iTunes is to ask a professional unlocker software for help. In this case, BuhoUnlocker can be your first and best choice. It is a professional unlocker software dedicated to unlocking iOS devices exclusively to bring convenience to all Apple users.

Here is how:

DownloadRuns on Windows & Mac
Security Verified & 100% Safe
  1. Free download, install, and launch BuhoUnlocker.
  2. Use a USB to connect your disabled iPad to your computer.
  3. Click Unlock Screen PasscodeStart.
    Unlock Screen Passcode in BuhoUnlocker
  4. Follow the on-screen instruction to put your iPad into Recovery Mode.
    Put Your iPad into Recovery Mode
  5. Download the latest firmware.
  6. Wait for the download process to be completed. When finished, click Start Unlock.
Note
If your Find My feature is on, you may need to enter your Apple ID account and password to unlock the Activation Lock.

5. Unlock iPad with iTunes / Finder When Forgot Passcode on iPad

If you have your computer and the cable nearby, then you can use iTunes / Finder to unlock your iPad without Apple ID passwords.

There are two cases of using iTunes to unlock an iPad: one is when your iPad has been connected to the computer before and trust each other. In this case, you don't need to enter the lock screen passcode when you connect iPad and computer again. And you don't need to enter recovery mode.

The second case is that your iPad and computer have not been connected before, in which case you need to enter the lock screen passcode to get your iPad to connect to iTunes. It’s impossible for you at this time. So you need to enter recovery mode to unlock your iPad.

Restore Your iPad with iTunes / Finder in Standard Mode

Recommend: ★★★★

Pros:

  • Easy
  • Convenient

Cons:

  • Trust Requirement

Follow the steps below to fix your locked iPad:

  1. Open iTunes / Finder.
  2. Use a USB cable to connect your iPad to your computer.
  3. Click Restore iPad.
    Restore iPad in iTunes
  4. Wait for the restore process to be completed. When finished, set up your iPad.
Notes
  1. Before restoring, we recommend you back up your iPad in iTunes.
  2. For Mac, before Catalina, we call it iTunes, and later it is called Finder. For Windows, it is called iTunes all the time.

Restore Your iPad with iTunes in Recovery Mode

Recommend: ★★★★

Pros:

  • No Trust Requirement

Cons:

  • Entering recovery mode may take some time.

Here is how to unlock a disabled iPad with iTunes in recovery mode:

  1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPad to your computer.
  2. Put your iPad into Recovery Mode.
  • For iPad with Face ID:

Quickly press the Volume Up button, then quickly press the Volume Down button, then keep pressing the Power button, and don’t let it go. Release the Power button when your iPad shows Connected to iTunes screen.

  • For iPad with Home button:

Press the Home button and the Power button, and don’t let go. Release all buttons when your iPad shows Connected to iTunes screen.

  1. iTunes will detect your iPad is in recovery mode, just click Restore.
  2. Wait for the restore process to be completed. When finished, set up your iPad.
Restore iPad to Factory Settings with Finder in Recovery Mode

Final Words

In this post, we give you an overall guide on unlocking your iPad when you forgot iPad passcode/password. Hope these methods take your iPad out of the locked mode. Free your locked iPad now!

Sarahi Johns

I'm Sarahi Johns, a tech enthusiast with a deep passion for all things iPhone, iPad and Mac. With expertise in crafting engaging tech content, I've authored numerous articles in the past 10 years, making me a trusted source for Apple enthusiasts.