Newsroom Update
Apple is introducing a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop, matching watch face, and dynamic iOS and iPadOS wallpapers as a way to champion global movements to protect and advance equality for LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more >
Apple is introducing a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop, matching watch face, and dynamic iOS and iPadOS wallpapers as a way to champion global movements to protect and advance equality for LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more >
Announcement
Introducing the iPad Pro with Apple M4 chip, the redesigned iPad Air in two sizes, and the all‑new Apple Pencil Pro. Watch the event >
Introducing the iPad Pro with Apple M4 chip, the redesigned iPad Air in two sizes, and the all‑new Apple Pencil Pro. Watch the event >
My grandmother is beginning to be affected by memory issues, and I believe she forgot her password and locked the iPad. I know the password, but everything I see is that data loss is unavoidable. Is there really no other way to unlock the iPad besides erasing it? I’d really like to find a way to preserve the pictures she has on here if possible (she doesn’t have a computer so I doubt the iPad has been backed up).
iPad Pro, iPadOS 15
iOS/iPadOS is architecturally designed to protect the owners data.
All locally stored data is encrypted; by design, the only copy of the encryption keys necessary to access local data are held within the Secure Enclave - the device security chip. The device Passcode unlocks the Secure Enclave, which in turn releases the encryption keys to the Operating System while the device remains unlocked.
If an incorrect Passcode is repeatedly entered, the Secure Enclave automatically wiped and the device disabled - an operation that erases all stored encryption keys. This is known as a crypto-erase. Once erased, all locally stored data is permanently beyond reach and cannot be recovered.
However, the bona-fide owner can restore their iCloud or iTunes backup to the device - recovering their data. If the owner hasn’t created a backup, all data will have been irretrievably lost.
iOS/iPadOS is architecturally designed to protect the owners data.
All locally stored data is encrypted; by design, the only copy of the encryption keys necessary to access local data are held within the Secure Enclave - the device security chip. The device Passcode unlocks the Secure Enclave, which in turn releases the encryption keys to the Operating System while the device remains unlocked.
If an incorrect Passcode is repeatedly entered, the Secure Enclave automatically wiped and the device disabled - an operation that erases all stored encryption keys. This is known as a crypto-erase. Once erased, all locally stored data is permanently beyond reach and cannot be recovered.
However, the bona-fide owner can restore their iCloud or iTunes backup to the device - recovering their data. If the owner hasn’t created a backup, all data will have been irretrievably lost.
There isn't any way to recover the data from a disabled or unavailable unit; knowing the passcode only makes a difference if it was previously backed up.
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iPad unavailable
