My iPad reset its own passcode

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Level 1

6 points

My iPad reset its own passcode

I rarely passcode my iPad. A couple days ago, I did, using my debit card PIN, and the first time I tested unlocking it, it worked. After leaving it for an hour, I came back and the passcode didn't work. I tried every similar pattern until it locked up but honestly, it's my PIN, I use it dozens of times a week, and plus I tested it, and I am certain the code changed by itself. I am the only one who knows my PIN.

I have been forced to restore it, but it was very inconvenient because I was 500 miles from home (and my sync computer) when this happened, and since I use the device for work I had to change my travel plans.

Is this a thing that happens? I don't see a lot of people complaining about this.

iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Feb 27, 2013 7:44 PM

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Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

263,847 points

Feb 27, 2013 7:50 PM in response to BloodyBrook

iPads do not reset passcodes by themselves. There is some other explanation.

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Answer 2

BloodyBrook Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 27, 2013 7:55 PM in response to sberman

I knew this would be the first response. I am stumped for some other explanation. I am desperate for some other explanation. Because I have no other way to explain it. I set the code, a code I use all the time. An hour later, the code did not work, nor did any possible related pattern. I am not an idiot, and I am not lying.

Is the code routine so robust that this NEVER EVER EVER HAPPENS? Am I really the first one?

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Answer 3

sberman

Level 10

263,847 points

Feb 27, 2013 8:04 PM in response to BloodyBrook

Did you try the former iPad passcode, in case your resetting did not "take"?

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Answer 4

BloodyBrook Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 27, 2013 8:04 PM in response to sberman

If absolutely nobody else ever chimes in here to say this has happened to them then I will make myself believe this was some sort of bizarre brain fart.

But that would be akin to forcing myself to believe that I believe in ghosts, which I most emphatically do not believe in. I am that sure that this happened for real.

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Answer 5

BloodyBrook Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 27, 2013 8:06 PM in response to sberman

No, there was no former passcode. I never use one. I was not resetting--I was setting. To my debit PIN. And like I said I tested it once and it worked before I left it locked.

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Answer 6

sberman

Level 10

263,847 points

Feb 27, 2013 8:16 PM in response to BloodyBrook

You say you use your iPad for work. Is it supplied by your employer? If so, is there a profile on it (Settings > General > Profile)? If there is, then your employer may have affected your code.

If your employer is not at all involved in your iPad's welfare, then do you have restrictions set (Settings > General > Restrictions)?

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Answer 7

BloodyBrook Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 27, 2013 8:20 PM in response to sberman

I am self-employed. My restrictions are not set (at least they are not now, in the still-restoring device, and I don't think I had them set before but I'm not totally sure).

Thanks for the help, sberman. If you can come up with some explanation I'd be really happy!

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Answer 8

John Galt

Level 10

141,162 points

Feb 27, 2013 8:24 PM in response to BloodyBrook

Edit - disregard, since you are already restoring it.

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Answer 9

BloodyBrook Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 27, 2013 8:24 PM in response to sberman

Now that I'm looking at restrictions, I am sure I did not enable them becasue it requires a passcode and I know I didn't have any set on this iPad.

I'd kinda like to use the restrictions now, but now I am afraid to set a passcode!

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Answer 10

BloodyBrook Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 27, 2013 8:36 PM in response to BloodyBrook

iOS 6.1.2 on a Mac, iTunes 11.0.2

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Answer 11

Feb 27, 2013 8:41 PM in response to BloodyBrook

Hi BloodyBrook,

I looked around to see if this issue had been reported before. I found a couple of hits, but there was no explanation in those either except "operator error".....

I'm guessing that there is no other person around that could have gotten in and changed it? It's just not something that really has any way of happening....

Sorry this happened to you, but I think you are safe to proceed with passcode usage. Unless there is something really hinky with your iPad that's really out there (and therefore beyond the ken of anyone here), there is no reason why any passcode you set should not work.

Chalk this one up to crazy, unexplained phenomenon (like ghosts), poltergiests in the machine....can't imagine that it should happen again!!!

Best of luck going forward!

Cheers,

GB

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Answer 12

BloodyBrook Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 27, 2013 8:47 PM in response to gail from maine

Thank you so much, Gail, and sberman and John Galt.

There really was no way anybody else could have reset the code on me. I guess this was a bigfoot sighting--either a bizarre unreproducible operator error or a super rare software hiccup. I know which one I'm voting for, but I know, I know.

It's nice to know these forums are so responsive. I wasn't expecting an answer for days, it at all!

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