how do i "approve this ipad" from another device. I follow the instrucitons but don't see anywhere to approve device in settings on either of me trusted devices. I am signed into icloud on both trusted devices. It is an old iPad. It alos won't take the passcode for my trusted iPhone saying its incorrect when i just used that code to open the iPhone in question. Its an old iPad2
iPad 2, iOS 9
Precisely what you are attempting to achieve - and how - is unclear. Device passcodes are set on each device; they are fully independent and not synchronised in any way.
A forgotten or unknown iPhone/iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device. If a device requires a passcode, but is showing a waiting period, you can wait and try to input the correct passcode again; 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
Precisely what you are attempting to achieve - and how - is unclear. Device passcodes are set on each device; they are fully independent and not synchronised in any way.
A forgotten or unknown iPhone/iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device. If a device requires a passcode, but is showing a waiting period, you can wait and try to input the correct passcode again; 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
It might be useful if we knew more about what you were trying to do when you encountered this issue. Lacking that,
Its an old iPad2
i is likely your issue. This recently updated article shows the new minimum system requirements for accessing iCloud services:
System requirements for iCloud - Apple Support
Although it does not specifically mention activation, since those minimums were first set in Nov 2025, we have seen hundreds of reports from users of iPads too old to run iPadOS 11, now iPad 12, who cannot activate old devices.
Your iPad 2 can run no higher iPadOS version than 9.3.X.
However, if a six-digit verification code is sent to the other device but old iPads cannot handle more than four digits, you may still be able to enter it. See this MacWorld article for a possible workaround:
My response is based on observation, not official word. You may need to chat up Apple, being sure to put "iPad 2" at the start of the conversation instead of the end.
Additional...
Be aware that your iPad2 is long ago obsolete and now totally unsupported.
Multiple recent posts suggest that Apple has removed all server-side and re-activation support for obsolete 32-bit devices:
As such restoring and re-activation of your iPad2 may now be impossible, rendering the iPad unusable.
App Developers have also dropped all support for 32-bit devices - and have withdrawn older versions of their Apps from the Apple App Store. Withdrawal of Apps supporting older models of iPad is making their utility and usefulness significantly of these older models even more limited.
Even if you are able to restore the iPad2, you’ll not be able (re)download or (re)install any Apps from the App Store. Most online services also require capabilities not supported by your iPad.
While perhaps unwelcome news, your iPad2 has reached the end of the road - and now has very limited, if any, useful utility.
Approve this ipad
