Brand new iPad. Customer never entered passcode.

I am a computer technician. A customer has bought in a brand new iPad to the store. He never finished the out of box setup before he shut it off so it was never actually connected to a computer. He did not enter a password or pass code, but it is now asking for one. How can I do a factory reset so he can start from scratch? Also, when I try to connect to iTunes to do a reset I get a 0xE8000015 error code on the computer and the iPad will only open to diagnostic mode, not reset/restore mode.

iPad (10th generation)

Posted on May 17, 2023 6:32 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on May 17, 2023 6:40 AM

As the iPad is brand new, it will have iPadOS15/16 installed out of the box. As such, this support page to be helpful:

If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support


There is no requirement to connect an iPad (or iPhone) to a computer during initial setup - and in reality, many such devices are never connected to a computer. As described, even if setup wasn’t completed, your “customer” may well have entered a Passcode - and in likelihood, this has now been forgotten.


A forgotten or unknown iPhone/iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device.


iOS/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



If your iPhone/iPad indicates that it 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:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple



AppleID


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


More information about recovery of your AppleID and associated Password:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

May 17, 2023 6:40 AM in response to HDRyder79

As the iPad is brand new, it will have iPadOS15/16 installed out of the box. As such, this support page to be helpful:

If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support


There is no requirement to connect an iPad (or iPhone) to a computer during initial setup - and in reality, many such devices are never connected to a computer. As described, even if setup wasn’t completed, your “customer” may well have entered a Passcode - and in likelihood, this has now been forgotten.


A forgotten or unknown iPhone/iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device.


iOS/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



If your iPhone/iPad indicates that it 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:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple



AppleID


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


More information about recovery of your AppleID and associated Password:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


Brand new iPad. Customer never entered passcode.

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