iPad frozen due to iCloud request

I was reading a book on my iPad using the Kindle App. Out of the blue, a message popped up requesting that I “Sign in to iCloud - Enter the Apple ID password for “xxx” Note: xxx = my email address. When I entered what I thought was the correct Apple password, it stated I had the wrong password. The screen behind the prompt stated “Safari cannot open the page https://iforgot.apple.com/ because your iPad is not connected to the internet. I can’t check to see if I am connected to the internet as my iPad screen is frozen and I can’t get past the iCloud message. My iPad operating system updates are current and I have and iPad 2. To make sure that I was working with the correct Apple ID password, I reset my password by going into the Apple site via my laptop. The Apple message confirmed the password has been reset successfully. My Apple ID is still the email address. Can anyone help me unfreeze my iPad?

iPad 2, iOS 7.1.2

Posted on Aug 9, 2014 8:46 AM

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10 replies

Aug 9, 2014 8:04 PM in response to Kneil31

First, thanks for trying to help me. My iPad does have the box that has "Cancel and Okay" so, as requested, I held down the power button and turned it off. After I brought it back up again, the box with Cancel and Okay was still front and center. As advised, I went into my iCloud account via my laptop, and I clicked on the Find my iPhone. I had a choice of selecting other devices or my iPad. I selected my iPad. iCloud indicated that my iPad was offline. I could select "Remove it from my account", but before I do, I have 2 questions: (1) How will my iPad recognize my iCloud update if my iPad is offline? (Since my iPad is frozen, I can't bring it online). and (2) if I do select "Remove....." does that mean I lose the Find my iPad capability? Again, thank you for your time.

Aug 9, 2014 8:58 PM in response to janfromsanta cruz

Before you try removing it from your account, reset your iPad by holding the power and home buttons at the same time until you see the Apple logo, then release. When it restarts, quickly go to Settings>Wi-Fi and make sure it's turned on and you are signed into your home network. You should have enough time to do that before you are prompted again. Then don't lock the screen again until you are either prompted for your password or you have it connected to your charger (which will keep it connected to wifi even with the screen locked). When prompted for your password, enter it and it should be accepted this time.

Aug 9, 2014 9:08 PM in response to janfromsanta cruz

janfromsanta cruz wrote:


First, thanks for trying to help me. My iPad does have the box that has "Cancel and Okay" so, as requested, I held down the power button and turned it off. After I brought it back up again, the box with Cancel and Okay was still front and center. As advised, I went into my iCloud account via my laptop, and I clicked on the Find my iPhone. I had a choice of selecting other devices or my iPad. I selected my iPad. iCloud indicated that my iPad was offline. I could select "Remove it from my account", but before I do, I have 2 questions: (1) How will my iPad recognize my iCloud update if my iPad is offline? (Since my iPad is frozen, I can't bring it online). and (2) if I do select "Remove....." does that mean I lose the Find my iPad capability? Again, thank you for your time.

Removing it from iCloud would not affect anything. I was not sure if you had ran into Activation Lock or just a message prompt. You could try removing it from iCloud and once you log into iCloud again on your iPad, it will reappear and you will have Find my iPhone enabled but I have a doubt that it would not help. Try and backup the iPad via iTunes. Then, hold the home and power button down until the Apple logo appears and quickly as possible, open the settings app and connect to WiFi. If you are, restore the iPad with iTunes.

Aug 10, 2014 11:32 AM in response to Kneil31

No fix yet but here is what I have tried. So that I had a fresh start, I started by pressing holding the power and home buttons at the same time until I saw the Apple logo. When restarting, I quickly entered my passcode on the front screen. It accepted my passcode and it presented a screen with my folders. The “Sign in to iCloud” box was in the center of the screen. Since the box was still there and it freezes the screen, there was no time to sign in to W-Fi.


Via my laptop (a PC), I logged into iCloud with my Apple ID (my email address) and my Apple password. I remove “Find my phone” from the iCloud. iCloud advised me that I have no devices. True. It also said “(my name) is linked to your Apple ID. Removing this iPad will allow it to be activated and used by another person.” I figured that I could re-associate to Find My Phone to the iPad when I get it back online again. I hated to do it but I am very interested in getting this problem resolved.


I do not have any music or books from iTunes, and I am willing to re-purchase all of the apps from the Apple Store again. When I get wi-fi, I can reload all of my photos from my PC.


As mentioned earlier, my iPad is offline and it cannot connect to a wi-fi as it is frozen. Would it be reasonable to re-initialize my iPad? Will re-initializing the iPad give me the ability to have my Wi-Fi again? If you do recommend re-initializing (offline), how do I do that? Again, I appreciate the support.

Aug 10, 2014 11:48 AM in response to janfromsanta cruz

If resetting it didn't give you time to connect to wifi before the prompt blocked you, you could try backing it up to your computer, then restoring the backup. To do this, connect it to your computer, open iTunes, then go to File>Devices>Back Up and File>Devices>Transfer Purchases. Then restore the backup (File>Devices>Restore from Backup). As soon as it's done restoring the backup try to connect to wifi and keep it connected to external power so it doesn't disconnect from wifi. When you get the prompt again, enter the password and it should authenticate now.

Aug 10, 2014 6:23 PM in response to randers4

Here is where I am with this now:

Step 1 - I successfully entered my passcode on my iPad and the iPad screen changed to the 2nd screen which has the “Sign in to iCloud” box in the center of the screen.

Step 2 - I connected my iPad to my PC. ITunes came up and asked if I wanted to allow my computer to access the iPad. I selected yes/OK. After a pause, iTunes came back with “To allow access, please respond to your iPad.” I can’t respond to my iPad due the “Sign in to iCloud” box.

I experimented anyway and selected the iTunes File>Devices>. All of the selections are ghosted thus I am not able to select.


I fooled around with iTunes diagnostics and I passed the

Network connectivity test

Device Connectivity Test - Ports - No iPod touch, iPad or iPhone found. (note: the PC port was active as I heard the port sound when I engage and disengage)

Also, I selected “help” and I went through the steps and confirmed that the program called Apple Mobile Devices Support was present.

Device Synch tests - No iPod touch, iPad or iPhone found


Sigh, I have made an Apple appointment for Tuesday.

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iPad frozen due to iCloud request

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