My iPad went missing from my hotel room in Europe over the summer. I used Find my Device to put it in a lost mode. Three months go by and the hotel has found my iPad. They ship it back and it now has a passcode. It didn't previously have a passcode - ever. Is there any way to restore my iPad without wiping it and losing all my data/pictures/pdf books?
iPad Air Wi-Fi, iOS 11.3
No, there is not. If you don't know the passcode, the iPad will become disabled after you attempt the wrong passcode a certain number of times. Once your iPad is disabled, you are out of options. Your only choice is to erase it and start over.
Connect the iPad to a computer with the latest version of iTunes running. This means to use a genuine Apple Lightning cord and connect the iPad to a USB port on the computer. The computer will have iTunes version 12.7 or later running. You can locate the iTunes version number on the computer by clicking on the iTunes menu (top left) and choosing 'about iTunes'. On a Windows computer, you'd choose Help and then About.*
Hold down the power button and the home button on the iPad
> keep holding - the screen will go dark
> keep holding - the Apple appears and then disappears
> keep holding - the iTunes logo with the cord appears on the iPad screen
> let go - Once the iTunes logo is on the screen of the iPad, you can let go of the buttons.
There is a prompt on the computer screen that says there is something wrong with the iPad.
On the computer, select Restore and follow the prompts. This will erase the iPad, and you will lose all of your content and settings.
The iPad will be ready when it says hello on the iPad screen.
*If the iTunes version is older than 12.7, go to http://www.itunes.com and choose the Download button to download the latest version. Install it before starting to restore the iPad.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and the very detailed instructions. I sincerely appreciate your help.
You are very welcome. I am sorry about the content you will lose, but getting the iPad back up and running will be a big relief.
iPad lost in Europe
