My daughter changed her passcode and cannot remember what it is. I have logged onto my Apple Account and attempted to erase her iPad. It says erase pending connection to internet. However, we have no way of connecting her iPad to the Wi-Fi without the passcode. Any advice? Thank you.
Without an active network connection, the iPad cannot receive a remote erase command.
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
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
Without an active network connection, the iPad cannot receive a remote erase command.
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
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
Disconnect the iPad from the computer and power it down completely. Press and hold the Home button while immediately connecting the iPad to the computer using the cable. Press and hold the Top (power) button while immediately connecting the iPad to the computer. Keep holding the button until you see the recovery mode screen (an icon of a computer and a cable) on the iPad.
A pop-up will automatically appear on your Mac . Click Restore. The computer will download the software and wipe the iPad, removing the old passcode.
Once the process is complete, the iPad will restart as brand new. During setup, you will need to enter the original Apple ID and password (Activation Lock) to unlock it. You can then restore her data from an iCloud backup.
For Windows PC in iTunes or the Apple Devices app 😉 🕸️
While you didn’t specify your daughter’s age …
… if appropriate, you might consider restricting her ability to do this in the future.
Use parental controls to manage your child's iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Specifically by restricting her ability to change her account settings and/or device passcode.
SpiderMac wrote:
A pop-up will automatically appear on your Mac . Click Restore. The computer will download the software and wipe the iPad, removing the old passcode.
It's always a good idea to ask people what equipment they actually have rather than making assumptions.
It's always a good idea to ask people what equipment they actually have rather than making assumptions.
When someone is looking for urgent help, the worst thing you can do is stall them with more questions. I provided an immediate solution; the restore pop-up appears the exact same way, whether it's via Finder on Mac or iTunes on Windows. The author then kindly specified they were on Windows, and we sorted it out. Thanks anyway.
SpiderMac wrote:
When someone is looking for urgent help, the worst thing you can do is stall them with more questions. I provided an immediate solution; the restore pop-up appears the exact same way, whether it's via Finder on Mac or iTunes on Windows. The author then kindly specified they were on Windows, and we sorted it out. Thanks anyway.
Hmm...
While I can see the OP asking for "advice", I don't see anything that suggests a request for "urgent help"...
SpiderMac wrote:
It's always a good idea to ask people what equipment they actually have rather than making assumptions.
When someone is looking for urgent help, the worst thing you can do is stall them with more questions. I provided an immediate solution; the restore pop-up appears the exact same way, whether it's via Finder on Mac or iTunes on Windows. The author then kindly specified they were on Windows, and we sorted it out. Thanks anyway.
Not making sure you understand the question as well as possible means you end up giving "help" that isn't helpful. It is very common for people without a lot of technical expertise to ask incomplete or even the wrong questions. Taking the time to make sure you know what's going on is what separates human answers from AI answers.
Nothing here is so urgent that you can't take a minute and ask clarifying questions.
Not making sure you understand the question as well as possible means you end up giving "help" that isn't helpful. It is very common for people without a lot of technical expertise to ask incomplete or even the wrong questions. Taking the time to make sure you know what's going on is what separates human answers from AI answers.
In this case, it's irrelevant—the pop-up in question appears on Mac and PC; you see it on the monitor. I could have written 'and the pop-up will appear on the computer' just to clarify that they shouldn't expect a pop-up on the iPad.
[Edited by Moderator]
Thank you for your reply! I don't have a Mac. Will the same pop up appear automatically on a Windows PC?
The problem was that you specified "Mac." That can be confusing to some people. As it was to this original poster.
iPad: Forgotten passcode, erase pending, no Wi-Fi
