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iPad is disabled, connect to iTunes

Hello, I have an old iPad mini that I just checked and it says iPad is disabled, connect to iTunes. I suspect children have been trying to get into it...

My MacBook with Catalina doesn't have iTunes that I am aware of... what can I do? I am sure there is a thread about this, but I can only find really old comments - can anyone point me in the right direction?

Ideally I don't want to lose all the data on there, but if I have to, it isn't the end of the world... \

thanks, C

iPad mini, iOS 8

Posted on Mar 12, 2021 12:19 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 12, 2021 2:28 AM

With the iPad disabled, all locally stored data has already been lost. iOS/iPadOS utilise an encrypted filesystem; as soon as the device is disabled, the cryptographic key necessary to access stored data is automatically destroyed. If you have a pre-existing iCloud or iTunes backup of the data, it can be restored upon completion of the recovery procedures.


If your iPad is disabled, or you have forgotten your iPad passcode, you 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 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


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 12, 2021 2:28 AM in response to convertedluddite

With the iPad disabled, all locally stored data has already been lost. iOS/iPadOS utilise an encrypted filesystem; as soon as the device is disabled, the cryptographic key necessary to access stored data is automatically destroyed. If you have a pre-existing iCloud or iTunes backup of the data, it can be restored upon completion of the recovery procedures.


If your iPad is disabled, or you have forgotten your iPad passcode, you 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 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


Mar 12, 2021 1:05 AM in response to convertedluddite

Your Mac using Catalina should run "Finder" app (instead of iTunes). See this explanation:

Keeping in mind that if you don't have a backup all data will be lost on that device (except those that you eventually synced to iCloud), pay attention to the specific gestures that you need to perform while connecting your iPad to a computer (Windows 10 PC running the latest iTunes version) or Mac (which can run iTunes or Finder, depending on the macOS installed on it), and follow these instructions to re-gain access to your device:--> If you forgot the passcode on your iPad, or your iPad is disabled

Regards

Giulio

iPad is disabled, connect to iTunes

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