HT206203: If you can't activate your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch after installing iOS 9.3

Learn about If you can't activate your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch after installing iOS 9.3
KezCas

Q: iPad tells me I MUST change my "unlock passcode at this time"

iPad change passcode issue.jpg

my iPad is giving me a pop up message forcing me to change my passcode. It will not let me do anything unless I change my passcode and does not give me an option to do it later. I haven't been able to use my ipad for 3 days because I can't go past it and I refuse to enter my passcode into the pop up message because it looks fishy... I have heard/read about a similar problem with the iPhone with an option to do it later, but haven't seen anyone talk about this with the iPad. Please help. I last updated my iPad about a month ago and have never had any issues with it. It's a personal iPad (not corporate)

iPad Mini, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Apr 21, 2016 12:25 PM

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Q: iPad tells me I MUST change my "unlock passcode at this time"

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  • by Ralph9430,

    Ralph9430 Ralph9430 Apr 21, 2016 12:56 PM in response to KezCas
    Level 6 (18,157 points)
    Apr 21, 2016 12:56 PM in response to KezCas

    IF you were using the Safari browser when you first saw this message do the following:

    1. Quit Safari like this: To quit an app double click the Home button to reveal the app switcher. Flick up on the page preview of the app you want to quit. The page preview will fly away and disappear. That quits the app.

    2. Use the Settings app to Clear history and Data. Settings > Safari > Clear History and Data.

    3. Reset the iPad. Press and hold both the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button continuously until the Apple logo appears. Then release the button and let the device restart. You will not lose data doing this. It's like a computer reboot.

  • by ember1205,

    ember1205 ember1205 Apr 21, 2016 3:03 PM in response to Ralph9430
    Level 2 (183 points)
    Apr 21, 2016 3:03 PM in response to Ralph9430

    Pressing the Home and Lock buttons at the same time should NOT be used as a way to restart iOS devices unless they are "locked up". If the OP is able to navigate their way around the OS like you've outlined in step 2, then step 3 provided zero benefit and will reset all of the network information and require adding things like WiFi passwords again.

     

    Too many times I see this being suggested as a restart mechanism and it is NOT appropriate to do under almost all circumstances. If a reset of network connections is what you're actually suggesting, and the OP can navigate the device, then that should be accomplished using that option under Settings -> General -> Reset

  • by KezCas,

    KezCas KezCas Apr 21, 2016 3:19 PM in response to Ralph9430
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 21, 2016 3:19 PM in response to Ralph9430

    I was not on any apps when that happened... I just grabbed my ipad and as soon as I entered my 4 digit code the messaged popped up, which prevents me from doing anything at all... I can't even use the camera or the timer from the locked screen unless I "change my passcode"... I took that picture with my phone.... That said, I can't get to my settings or anything period

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie Apr 21, 2016 3:19 PM in response to ember1205
    Level 9 (54,409 points)
    Apr 21, 2016 3:19 PM in response to ember1205

    A Forced Restart (which is what Apple calls it now) can be used for more things than the phone being "locked up". Why is is "not appropriate"?

  • by KezCas,

    KezCas KezCas Apr 21, 2016 3:20 PM in response to deggie
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 21, 2016 3:20 PM in response to deggie

    Whether that is appropriate or not, I used it and it didn't solve my problem... I have turned wifi off and put it on airplane mode to see if it still prompts me and it still does

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie Apr 21, 2016 3:23 PM in response to KezCas
    Level 9 (54,409 points)
    Apr 21, 2016 3:23 PM in response to KezCas

    Since you were obviously not in Safari there are two possibilities here: You received that as a hacked flash message, in which case you should ignore it or you have a work provided exchange email account on your iPhone and they have a profile on your phone that requires you to periodically change your passcode.

  • by KezCas,

    KezCas KezCas Apr 21, 2016 3:39 PM in response to deggie
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 21, 2016 3:39 PM in response to deggie

    My first instinct was to ignore it, but I cannot get past it. My iPad is literally held hostage to that pop up message. I either can't use it or have to "change passcode", which I refuse to do. This is a personal iPad and I only use it for educational purposes so no work related exchange accounts

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie Apr 21, 2016 3:42 PM in response to KezCas
    Level 9 (54,409 points)
    Apr 21, 2016 3:42 PM in response to KezCas

    If you press continue does it take you to settings to change the passcode or does it open Safari and take you out to the web? Is this a WiFi+cellular iPad? And when you say educational purposes did you buy it through an educational institution?

  • by KezCas,

    KezCas KezCas Apr 21, 2016 3:45 PM in response to deggie
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 21, 2016 3:45 PM in response to deggie

    It's my personal iPad and I am in school and I only use it for school, not work related. No, when I press continue, it gives me another pop up window saying "To change your passcode, fist enter your current passcode." so it doesn't take me anywhere, am still practically locked out of my own iPad... SO FRUSTRATING

  • by ManSinha,

    ManSinha ManSinha Apr 21, 2016 3:47 PM in response to KezCas
    Level 6 (10,250 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 21, 2016 3:47 PM in response to KezCas

    What some people have done is to change their password

    Then use Settings - Passcode and change it again

    It does appear to be a random iOS bug unrelated to a profile but that is one way to get around it

  • by KezCas,

    KezCas KezCas Apr 21, 2016 3:49 PM in response to ManSinha
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 21, 2016 3:49 PM in response to ManSinha

    That sounds risky to me... don't you think?

  • by KezCas,

    KezCas KezCas Apr 21, 2016 4:00 PM in response to ManSinha
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 21, 2016 4:00 PM in response to ManSinha

    I have already seen those posts... My concern is that everyone is talking about their phones, not iPad. My iPad is not even cellular equipped... I'm just making sure I do my diligence before I put my passcode... I am just not convinced yet

  • by ShagCA,

    ShagCA ShagCA Apr 21, 2016 4:05 PM in response to KezCas
    Level 4 (1,763 points)
    iPad
    Apr 21, 2016 4:05 PM in response to KezCas

    If this is a personal iPad, never been jailbroken, it should be fine to proceed. If you're really worried about leaking the current passcode info, unplug your WiFi router. Perhaps I'm wrong but if bad guys on the internet does get your passcode, what can they do with it without physical access to your device?

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