Q: My phone is locked and needs iTunes to restore it.  I think?  But I do not want to update it.  How do i get around the update.

Is it locked because of wrong passcode?

If yes: If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support

This keeps taking me back the password screen after restore, because I had no option other than to "update software and restore". Any other work arounds? I'm locked out of my iPad and never even had a passcode on it to begin with.

There is no option other than to update and restore.

if I do that it goes back to requiring a password. The update is what's causing the issue.

If you follow the instructions in If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support down near the bottom where it talks about Recovery Mode it won't ask for your passcode.

I've tried it 3 times now and because my iPad requires a software update which is forced during the restore, this does not work for me. It reverts back to the passcode screen. Side note - I have never set a password for the iPad so there is not a password to use. I'm stuck for now until this gets resolved,

Either you or someone who handled your phone set a passcode; passcodes do not set themselves. There is no option other than erasing it, installing the update and restoring it. See: If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support

Regardless of the password situation. Thame method above does not work for this iPad because it has to update as part of the restore and when it updates it requires a password. Do you have a suggestion as to how to get in considering that I did that method above three times with no luck?

Is it asking for the screen password or the Apple ID password? If it's the Apple ID password just enter it, unless it isn't your Apple ID. If you can't follow the directions carefully enough to make it work (even if it requires an update) take it to an Apple store and they will do it for you. Or update using DFU mode. But either way, if it is an Apple ID it is asking for you will need that.

DFU mode:

• Install the latest version of iTunes on your computer if it isn't there already ( (you must have Windows 7 or later or OS X 10.8.5 or later)
• Reboot your computer
• Disable any antivirus and firewalls
• Launch iTunes
• Connect the device cable to a USB port on the computer (not to a USB hub), but DO NOT CONNECT TO THE DEVICE YET
• Press and hold the HOME and SLEEP buttons at the same time for 8 seconds, until the screen turns black, then release the SLEEP button but continue holding the HOME button. If an Apple logo appears while holding both buttons you held for too long; start over.
• While still holding the HOME button connect the other end of the cable to the device
• You should see a message in iTunes saying a phone in Recovery mode has been detected (it may take up to a minute for the message to appear). When you see that message release the HOME button and the device should restore. When asked DO NOT restore a backup; set up as a new phone.