Q: My grandson played with my ipod now its locked up. How do i get it unlocked

Forgotten Screen-Lock Passcode

Connect the iOS device to your computer and try to make a backup

iOS: How to back up

Then restore via iTunes. The iOS device will be erased. Place the iOS device in Recovery Mode if necessary to allow the restore.

If recovery mode does not work try DFU mode.

How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings

For how to restore:

iTunes: Restoring iOS software

To restore from backup see:         

Restore your device from an iCloud or iTunes backup - Apple SupportIf you restore from iCloud backup the apps will be automatically downloaded. If you restore from iTunes backup the apps and music have to be in the iTunes library since synced media like apps and music are not included in the backup of the iOS device that iTunes makes.

You can redownload most iTunes purchases by:

Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store   

If problem what happens or does not happen and when in the instructions? When you successfully get the iPod in recovery mode and connect to computer iTunes should say it found an iPod in recovery mode.

If you enter the wrong passcode in to an iOS device six times in a row, you'll be locked out and a message will say that your device is disabled.

Pick a method to erase

Unless you made a backup before you forgot your passcode, there isn't a way to save your device's data. You'll need to erase your device, which deletes all of your data and settings:

• If you've synced with iTunes, use these steps.
• If you're signed in to iCloud and Find My iPhone is enabled, use these steps.
• If you don't use iCloud and you can't sync or connect with iTunes, use recovery mode.

Restore using iTunes

If you've synced your device with iTunes, you can restore your device.

1. Connect your device to the computer you synced with.
2. Open iTunes. If asked for a passcode, try another computer you've synced with, or use recovery mode.
3. Wait for iTunes to sync your device and make a backup. If it doesn't, learn what to do.
4. Once the sync and backup have finished,click Restore [your device].
   
5. When you reach the Set Up screen while restoring your iOS device, tap Restore from iTunes backup.
6. Select your device in iTunes. Look at the date and size of each backup and pick the most relevant one.

Erase using Find my iPhone

If you enabled Find My iPhone through iCloud, you can use it to erase your device.

1. Go to icloud.com/find.
2. If prompted, sign in with your Apple ID.
3. Click All Devices at the top of your browser window.
4. Select the device you want to erase.
5. Click Erase [device] to erase your device and its passcode.
6. Now you can either restore from a backup or set up as new.

Restore using recovery mode

If you've never synced with iTunes or set up Find My iPhone in iCloud, you'll need to use recovery mode to restore your device. This will erase the device and its passcode.

1. Connect your iOS device to your computer and open iTunes. If you don't have a computer, borrow one from a friend, or go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
2. While your device is connected, force restart it: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time. Don't let go when you see the Apple logo — keep holding until you see the recovery mode screen.
   
3. When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose Restore.
   
   iTunes will download software for your device. If it takes more than 15 minutes, your device will exit recovery mode and you'll need to repeat steps 2 and 3.
   
   
4. Wait for the process to finish. Then you can set up and use your device.

Get more help

If you can’t force restart or use recovery mode because of broken buttons, contact Apple Support.