Related Article: Use Guided Access with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

iPad stuck in guided access mode.

I have an iPad pro that was placed in guided access mode for an event, connected to the event wifi. Now need to change the wifi connection. However, when I try to exit guided access by triple clicking the power button (there is no home button) it tries to enable voice control instead and asks to download files. I can't find any way to exit the mode. Also tried connecting to my Mac, but a running Catalina so can't download the latest software to link to the iPad. Any ideas? Thanks!

Posted on Sep 16, 2023 12:06 PM

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Question marked as Apple recommended

When you are stuck in Guided Access mode, you can be really stuck as the typical triple tap on the home button to quit out of Guided Access may not work. Even a forced exit won't work because the power button and the home button are disabled. 


The only way to get out of Guided Access is to press the Home and Power button together for 15 seconds. This should turn off Guided Access by forcibly rebooting your device. Once your device is restarted, you can then go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access > Guided Access - and turn off Guided Access if needed.


Use Guided Access on iPad - Apple Support

Use Guided Access with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


Posted on Sep 17, 2023 8:28 AM

6 replies

Sep 16, 2023 2:36 PM in response to SailingPhil

It might be a double-click, not triple, to disable guided access. There's a note on this page about it: Use Guided Access with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support



Triple-click the Side or Home button, enter your Guided Access passcode, then tap End. Or if you turned on Touch ID or Face ID for Guided Access, double-click the Side or Home button.


~Lyssa


Question marked as Apple recommended

Sep 17, 2023 8:28 AM in response to SailingPhil

When you are stuck in Guided Access mode, you can be really stuck as the typical triple tap on the home button to quit out of Guided Access may not work. Even a forced exit won't work because the power button and the home button are disabled. 


The only way to get out of Guided Access is to press the Home and Power button together for 15 seconds. This should turn off Guided Access by forcibly rebooting your device. Once your device is restarted, you can then go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access > Guided Access - and turn off Guided Access if needed.


Use Guided Access on iPad - Apple Support

Use Guided Access with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


iPad stuck in guided access mode.

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