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If an iPad is displaying iPad unavailable is there a way to unlock it and not lose all the data and not have to reset the iPad as if it were new
iPad
If the iPad indicates that it is unavailable, or a security lockout has occurred, you not be able to access or recover any data that is locally stored on the the iPad. If the lockout has an associated waiting period with a countdown, you can attempt to enter the correct device Passcode when the countdown expires.
Otherwise, you must restore the iPad - a process that will unavoidably erase all stored data. After restoring your iPad, if you have a pre-existing device backup, you’ll be able to restore all your data and settings.
If you value your data, it is essential that you always keep a backup - this being true for any computer system, not just your iPad. For Apple devices, keeping a backup is relatively painless; you can natively backup your data using iCloud (this process being entirely automatic) or using iTunes:
How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
iPadOS 15.2 or later with a forgotten Passcode
Apple has introduced a new procedure with which to reset an iPad or iPhone with a forgotten Passcode - allowing you to use your AppleID and associated Password to reset your device.
How to reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when you forgot your passcode - Apple Support
You will be able to restore data from a pre-existing iCloud backup without the use of a computer, but will require a PC/Mac to restore data from an iTunes backup.
iPadOS 15.1 and earlier - and all devices that are Disabled/Unavailable
If your iPad is disabled/unavailable/locked-out, 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 Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS).
Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support
Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support
Use of a PC or Mac is unavoidable. If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. Alternatively, the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store will be delighted to assist.
You may also need your AppleID and associated password. If these have also been forgotten, they can be recovered here:
To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:
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:
If the iPad indicates that it is unavailable, or a security lockout has occurred, you not be able to access or recover any data that is locally stored on the the iPad. If the lockout has an associated waiting period with a countdown, you can attempt to enter the correct device Passcode when the countdown expires.
Otherwise, you must restore the iPad - a process that will unavoidably erase all stored data. After restoring your iPad, if you have a pre-existing device backup, you’ll be able to restore all your data and settings.
If you value your data, it is essential that you always keep a backup - this being true for any computer system, not just your iPad. For Apple devices, keeping a backup is relatively painless; you can natively backup your data using iCloud (this process being entirely automatic) or using iTunes:
How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
iPadOS 15.2 or later with a forgotten Passcode
Apple has introduced a new procedure with which to reset an iPad or iPhone with a forgotten Passcode - allowing you to use your AppleID and associated Password to reset your device.
How to reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when you forgot your passcode - Apple Support
You will be able to restore data from a pre-existing iCloud backup without the use of a computer, but will require a PC/Mac to restore data from an iTunes backup.
iPadOS 15.1 and earlier - and all devices that are Disabled/Unavailable
If your iPad is disabled/unavailable/locked-out, 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 Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS).
Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support
Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support
Use of a PC or Mac is unavoidable. If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. Alternatively, the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store will be delighted to assist.
You may also need your AppleID and associated password. If these have also been forgotten, they can be recovered here:
To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:
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:
If you previously backed it up, you can restore that. Otherwise, no.
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If an iPad is displaying iPad unavailable is there a way to unlock it and not lose any data and have to reset as if it were new
