hello. My ipad is unavailable as i tried passcodes too many times. I have switched off to try from my Mac but it is not working. all my ipad says support.appl.com/passcode but I do not have any other way on the ipad to reset or restore it. I have read all on restoring from Mac laptop but it doesn't work. what am i doing wrong?
MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.2
An iPad will be disabled or indicate that it is unavailable if an incorrect Passcode is entered too many times.
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 more recent Apple Device App) or a Mac computer (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
Apple Devices App (Windows PC):
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9np83lwlpz9k?hl=en-ms&gl=MS
NB: If your iPad isn’t recognised when connected to your computer, try using a different USB port. Otherwise, this support page should help with troubleshooting connection difficulties:
If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad - 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
Activation Lock
Here are the Apple support pages that outline the Activation Lock - and the only mechanisms by which it can be satisfied:
Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Turn off Activation Lock – Apple Support
As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the Apple Account (previously known as an AppleID) that was last used to activate the device, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. With documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple may be prepared to assist - otherwise they and nobody here will be able to help you.
If you have the necessary documentation, Apple have introduced a portal though which you may be able to request release of an Activation Lock:
How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support & start an Activation Lock support request.
Apple Account (AppleID)
You may also need your Apple Account (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:
If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support
If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support
An iPad will be disabled or indicate that it is unavailable if an incorrect Passcode is entered too many times.
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 more recent Apple Device App) or a Mac computer (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
Apple Devices App (Windows PC):
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9np83lwlpz9k?hl=en-ms&gl=MS
NB: If your iPad isn’t recognised when connected to your computer, try using a different USB port. Otherwise, this support page should help with troubleshooting connection difficulties:
If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad - 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
Activation Lock
Here are the Apple support pages that outline the Activation Lock - and the only mechanisms by which it can be satisfied:
Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Turn off Activation Lock – Apple Support
As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the Apple Account (previously known as an AppleID) that was last used to activate the device, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. With documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple may be prepared to assist - otherwise they and nobody here will be able to help you.
If you have the necessary documentation, Apple have introduced a portal though which you may be able to request release of an Activation Lock:
How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support & start an Activation Lock support request.
Apple Account (AppleID)
You may also need your Apple Account (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:
If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support
If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support
Grosset_Sergey wrote:
Everything is exactly the same for me !!! iPad Pro Version iPadOS 17.7.10 is unavailable-Apple refuses to help (I only gave you a link!) After restarting, the iPad naturally required a PIN code, which had not been used for years, because the Home button was triggered to unlock the screen.How to reset your iPad passcode using your Mac or PC - Apple Support according to this recommendation, everything was done and with the cable connected to the MAC, the iPad turned on with two button spressed (before the Apple logo appeared) and then with one Home button pressed. The iPad returns to the "iPad" device is unavailable mode and the "computer and cable" screen does not appear. What to do????
As documented by Apple in its Security Guide, for devices with TouchID or FaceID enabled, the device Passcode remains active. Your device Passcode is required in the following circumstances…
A passcode or password is also required if the device is in any of the following states:
• The device has just been turned on or restarted
• The user has logged out of their Mac account (or hasn’t yet logged in).
• The user hasn’t unlocked their device for more than 48 hours.
• The user hasn’t used their passcode or password to unlock their device for 156 hours (six and a half days), and the user hasn’t used a biometric to unlock their device in
4 hours.
• The device has received a remote lock command
• The user exited power off / Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously for 2 seconds and then pressing Cancel.
• There were five unsuccessful biometric match attempts (though for usability, the device might offer entering a passcode or password instead of using biometrics after a smaller number of failures).
When Face ID with a mask is enabled on an iPhone, it’s available for the next 6.5 hours after one of the following user actions:
• Successful Face ID match attempt (with or without a mask)
• Device passcode validation
• Device unlock with Apple Watch
Any of these actions extends the period by an additional 6.5 hours when performed.
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 more recent Apple Device App) or a Mac computer (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
Apple Devices App (Windows PC):
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9np83lwlpz9k?hl=en-ms&gl=MS
NB: If your iPad isn’t recognised when connected to your computer, try using a different USB port. Otherwise, this support page should help with troubleshooting connection difficulties:
If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad - 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
B-B-L wrote:
Its also for a Ipad not a mac. I am trying to use my Mac to get this sorted out? Any ideas?
See LotusPilot’s (large) reply for info and links.
iPadOS 15.2 and later can usually directly reset locally with no Mac or Windows PC involved, and a Mac or Windows PC can be used for all iPadOS versions. Overview:
Hello I don't get the chance to do any of these when I try and restore from my laptop as per instructions, the 'restore' screen doesn't appear, only the original screen that it is unavailable. So how do i circumnavigate that?
Thanks
Everything is exactly the same for me !!! iPad Pro Version iPadOS 17.7.10 is unavailable-Apple refuses to help (I only gave you a link!) After restarting, the iPad naturally required a PIN code, which had not been used for years, because the Home button was triggered to unlock the screen.How to reset your iPad passcode using your Mac or PC - Apple Support according to this recommendation, everything was done and with the cable connected to the MAC, the iPad turned on with two button spressed (before the Apple logo appeared) and then with one Home button pressed. The iPad returns to the "iPad" device is unavailable mode and the "computer and cable" screen does not appear. What to do????
Apple seems to want everyone using their ecosystem. I don’t own a MacBook
Its also for a Ipad not a mac. I am trying to use my Mac to get this sorted out? Any ideas?
Thanks
iPad unavailable, cannot restore after passcode attempts
