Latest iOS update requires a passcode to be entered after restart, but no passcode was set.

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Latest iOS update requires a passcode to be entered after restart, but no passcode was set.

This past Christmas, I purchased a new iPad for my mother to replace her old iPad 2. My mother is not tech savvy, but loves her iPad because it is easy to use. To make it easier I purposely did not create a passcode or setup finger print or face id.

I was very sure these were not in place so that all she has to do to open the iPad is to press the home button. My mother doesn't travel and her online activity is very limited so there is not much risk.

Since she got it, two updates have been applied to the iPad. The first went through with minimal issues. I just had to walk her through the setup screens again. However, for some reason the latest iOS update requires a passcode to be entered after restart. No passcode has been set. You would think an OS as "smart" as iOS would know that.

I have done some reading online and it seems this has been common occurrence with suggestions of trying 1234 or 123456. I have tried both, but it has not worked. I have also tried my passcode in case since I purchased the iPad that it somehow picked up my code, but it didn't worked.

From other discussion threads, Apple seems to think this issue is a "forgotten" passcode issue and only gives recovery and restore as an option. This is funny since there was no code in place to forget in the first place. My mother lives 500 miles away so it is not like I can just pop over and perform a restore for her. I don't suppose Apple will reimburse me for my expenses to ship the iPad so I can fix it.

It sure would be nice to have some way to bypass the passcode screen for situations where no passcode exists.

Right now the iPad is a nice expensive BRICK.

Posted on Feb 4, 2021 6:01 AM

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Answer 1

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Thor19-725 Author

Level 1

25 points

Feb 4, 2021 7:05 AM in response to LotusPilot

Yes, I know a passcode can’t set itself, but again no passcode was set. During the initial setup I choose to “set up later” for the passcode and the biometrics then just never set them up.

I also know that no passcode aka a “null” passcode is still technically a passcode, but Apple in their “wisdom” did not allow for entry of null passcode at the enter passcode screen.

The done button aka the “enter” key does not appear until after characters are entered. Until then it is a cancel button which just starts the whole passcode process over if pressed.

I had already read that article and I agree that recovery would be easy if I hadn’t already mentioned that the iPad is 500 miles away with my mother who has no other computer that could be used for a restore. Again she is also not tech savvy enough for me to walk her through the process if she did have a computer.

This is going to cost me to either have her ship me the iPad to fix or for me to drive there.

It is ridiculous that Apple wouldn’t account for this and leave a dedicated Done button on the keyboard. At least we could have tried a null passcode. Again, NO PASSCODE WAS SET. If I could get into the iPad I can go into settings and show you the notification that is showing for “completing” setup by setting up a passcode.

Don’t try to put the blame on me and say that I must have set one and forgot.

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Answer 2

Thor19-725 Author

Level 1

25 points

Feb 4, 2021 7:49 AM in response to LotusPilot

My apologies, I was not trying to offend. Just frustrated that Apple’s stance that I saw in various support articles is that I must have set a passcode and forgot it which is not the case.

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Answer 3

Feb 4, 2021 6:21 AM in response to Thor19-725

A Passcode cannot set itself. In many cases, a Password is often set during initial setup - and is then disabled if required.

The iPad Passcode cannot be bypassed or directly reset. Following a presumption that the iPad is currently locked, or the iPad is disabled, you’ll have no alternative other than to follow this process:

If you’ve forgotten the passcode on your iPad, or your iPad is disabled – Apple Support

You’ll need access to either a PC (with iTunes installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS).

You may also need your AppleID and associated password. If these have also been forgotten, they can be recovered here:

https://iforgot.apple.com

To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:

Your primary email address mailbox that corresponds with your AppleID
Any of the secondary/recovery email addresses that should be configured for your AppleID account
Any of the trusted telephone numbers (fixed line or Cellular/Mobile) that are associated with your AppleID

Unless you AppleID account has not been fully/correctly configured, or has been seriously neglected, recovery of the AppleID and password should not be difficult.

More information about recovery of your AppleID:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

More information about recovery of your AppleID password:

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

When you recover access to your credentials, you would be well advised to log-in to your AppleID account from a web browser - and verify/update any email addresses and trusted telephone numbers:

https://appleid.apple.com

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Answer 4

Feb 4, 2021 7:17 AM in response to Thor19-725

I’m certainly not assigning any blame for the situation - or the events that have lead to the current state of your [mothers] iPad.

You have my complete sympathy and understanding as to the logistical difficulties that you face (having suffered something very similar myself). I have constrained comment to explanation of the issue - and the available mechanism by which recovery can be acheived.

I’m sure everyone that reads you missive understands your frustration - and desire to express the same - but the situation in which you find yourself remains unchanged. Please don’t shoot the messenger that is attempting to deliver objective help.

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Answer 5

GeeZ06

Level 4

2,886 points

Feb 4, 2021 7:44 AM in response to Thor19-725

Thor19-725, I too have a mom who lives far away and not to computer savvy. One of the bad things of the iPAD is not being able to help out a person far away like you can with a MAC. From what you said it doesn't look like your mom has an Apple ID, because you wanted to keep it as simple as possible for your mom. Depending on how you setup her iPAD this may or may not work. If you have and a iPAD and iPhone you might try option two from this link. https://ios-data-recovery.com/unlock-ipad-without-password/ and use "Find my iPAD" to reset the device.

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Answer 6

GeeZ06

Level 4

2,886 points

Feb 4, 2021 7:16 AM in response to Thor19-725

Thor19-725, Which version of iPAD did you replace your mom's old iPAD 2 with? IE iPAD-Air or iPAD3.

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Latest iOS update requires a passcode to be entered after restart, but no passcode was set.

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