iPad stuck in recovery mode 'waiting for ipad' when recovering 6-2018

Hi,

This is more of a tip than a question, I could not add a comment to the existing thread so had to "ask a new question"

It all started when a mystery message came up on my 3rd gen. early 2012 iPad out the blue one evening.

The message told me that I had to verify my Apple ID. As it came up totally out the blue - I did some checking whether it might be a trojan or similar but after reading mixed info here I went ahead anyway. Nothing else I could do other than retire it or queue up at the "Genius" bar.

So, the verify my Apple ID process also had me set a numerical device passcode. Mysteriously that passcode would not let me in the next day.

(Strange, I aways use the same iOS passcode and am 100% sure I got it right. Ah well.)

SO I searched the issue and the Apple forum came up with this official page:

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

However I got stuck in Catch 22 land, iTunes won't let me restore because I have to first get into the device to turn off "find my iPad" and I can't get in (needs unlocking to do that) and I can't.

So more searching led to advice to do this via Recovery Mode.

BUT I first plugged into iTunes and made a current back up - that’s pretty important unless you want a virgin machine after the reset.. [see note below about those who use iCloud backup, clue, that backup is incomplete]

Now I shut it down, set it to recovery mode (see below for instructions), plugged back in and started the restore process.

After a few iTunes messages about the procedure being in progress it seemed to freeze on "waiting for iPad". Take my advice and be patient, don't unplug it just yet. Seems like once its inn recovery mode it can only be restarted in that mode.

Be warned.

Googling "stuck in recovery mode 'waiting for ipad'" led me to a few suggestions on this forum. But none of them worked.

What did work though was leaving the process as is with iTunes reporting 'waiting for ipad' and waiting a few hours, maybe 3. Walking back into my office that evening, I saw the iPad had awoken and now needed the old backup to be restored from iTunes. Lucky I had the up to date backup.

As an " on my Mac" backup includes all there apps even those obsolete ones that can't be got from iTunes can be restored.

If you use iCloud backup and have a new iOX you're probably OK - but users of older iOS devices should note that, AFAIK, iCloud backup does not store the actual apps on your device, so retired and obsolete apps will not be recoverable.

Phew.

setting the iPad in recovery mode:

1. connect the iPad to your computer
2. turn it completely off
3. press the power button (top button) for three (3) seconds
4. without letting go of the power button, press the Home button
5. keep them pressed for ten (10) seconds
6. after the ten seconds, let go of the power button without letting go of the Home button
7. keep pressing the Home button until a message pops in iTunes saying

   iTunes has detected a device in recovery mode, you must restore it before you can use it.

8. restore the iPad

I hope this helps someone. I was kinda thinking my iPad might now be an expensive coaster.

This was another possibility

[be sure to do the "on my Mac" backup first though:

Remove your device from Find My iPhone

1. Sign in to icloud.com/#find with your Apple ID (the one you use with iCloud).
   If you’re already using an iCloud web app, click the app’s name to switch apps.
2. Click All Devices, select the offline device, then click Delete .

The Delete icon appears only after Find My iPhone has tried and failed to connect to your device (this may take a few minutes). Note: You can also click “Remove from Find My iPhone” in the device’s Info window.

Click Remove.

Happy Days

neil