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I’m trying to get into my iPad, which I haven’t used in a long time, and it’s not accepting the 4-digit passcodes that I typically use. The iPad is a recognized device under Settings/[my name]on my iPhone 11, so I went into Password & Security and clicked on Get Verification Code; however, I was sent a 6-digit code and my iPad only accepts 4 digits. What should I do and/or what am I doing wrong?
iPad, iOS 10
A forgotten or unknown iPhone/iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device. If you see a waiting period you can wait and try again to input the correct Passcode; otherwise, the iPad must be restored.
You may find this support page to be helpful:
If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support
iPadOS 17 or later with a forgotten Passcode
If you have changed your passcode in iOS/iPadOS 17 and later - and have since forgotten the new Passcode - you may be able to recover access using your previous Passcode. Passcode Reset gives you 72 hours to use your old Passcode to access your device; when you access your device in this way, you must change your passcode again immediately:
If you cannot use the new Passcode Reset feature, you must use another method.
iOS/iPadOS 15.2 or later with a forgotten Passcode
Apple has introduced a 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:
To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:
More information about recovery of your AppleID and associated Password:
A forgotten or unknown iPhone/iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device. If you see a waiting period you can wait and try again to input the correct Passcode; otherwise, the iPad must be restored.
You may find this support page to be helpful:
If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support
iPadOS 17 or later with a forgotten Passcode
If you have changed your passcode in iOS/iPadOS 17 and later - and have since forgotten the new Passcode - you may be able to recover access using your previous Passcode. Passcode Reset gives you 72 hours to use your old Passcode to access your device; when you access your device in this way, you must change your passcode again immediately:
If you cannot use the new Passcode Reset feature, you must use another method.
iOS/iPadOS 15.2 or later with a forgotten Passcode
Apple has introduced a 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:
To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:
More information about recovery of your AppleID and associated Password:
Do you have any other Apple devices upon which you have activated Account Recovery or Advanced Data Protection features? If so, these features will inhibit the ability to sign-in to iCloud using pre-iOS/iPadOS15 devices.
If these features are required with your other compatible devices - for your pre-iOS/iPadOS15 devices you will need to turn-off Find My iPad (or Find My iPhone) so as to disable the related Activation Lock - and then sign-out from your AppleID account on these devices.
Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] >
After signing-out, you can continue to use the older devices - but you’ll need to setup and use an additional/separate AppleID with them. You might then consider using Family Sharing - allowing you to where selectively share purchased Apps, subscriptions and Apple services with the new AppleID:
Set up Family Sharing – Apple Support
Share App Store, iTunes Store and Apple Books purchases with Family Sharing – Apple Support
The 6 digit code is a two-factor authentication code for your Apple ID and has nothing to do with your iPad Lock Screen passcode. There is not a way to recover your passcode unless you wrote it down somewhere. The following are the options that are available.
If you forgot a passcode that you changed within the last 72 hours, see the following for instructions: Temporarily use your old passcode when you forget your new passcode on iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Otherwise, there is an Apple article that explains what to do if you have forgotten an iPhone or iPad passcode. Click on the following link: If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support
If that is not an option, you will need to use a computer. See:
If you forgot your iPhone passcode - Apple Support
or
If you forgot your iPad passcode - Apple Support
Thanks again LotusPilot! I was able to set up my old iPad using the info that you provided and created a new Apple ID for it.
Hi LotusPilot -
Thank you for your reply. I used the info that you provided under the heading "iPadOS 15.1 and earlier - and all devices that are Disabled" to restore and erase my iPad and then established a new 4-digit passcode. However, now I have a new problem: When I enter the new passcode to set up the device as a new iPad, it starts to take me through all the steps of selecting the language, country, wifi network, enabling location services and then, under "Apps & Data", indicating that I want to "Set up as New iPad". I'm then prompted to enter my Apple ID and Password, at which point I get a message stating "Can't Use Your Apple ID on This Device", below which it states "Your Apple ID can only be used on devices running iOS 15.0 or later, or macOS 12.0 or later. This iPad can't be updated to the latest software"
I don't need my iPad to be updated to the latest software (I think it's running 10.3.3), so what are my options, if any? Again, thanks for your assistance.
John
Thanks again for your reply. When I go to Find My, I see that it’s only turned on for my iPhone, which is the only device listed. Do I turn it off for the iPhone? I’m hesitant to do that since I occasionally use this feature.
Alternatively, I see that under Settings/[my name/apple ID], all my devices (including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and MacBook Air) are listed and I have the option of removing any of them from my account. Would removing the iPad accomplish what I’m trying to do?
Can’t Remember 4-digit passcode for my iPad
