If your iPad is stolen or someone tries to unlock it without permission, the passcode protects your data by blocking those attempts. In most cases, setting a passcode is one of the most effective ways to keep your information private and secure.

However, what if you forgot the iPad passcode and were locked out just like others?

Don’t worry - you’re not alone. Many iPad users face this situation at least once. Whether your device is disabled, frozen, or stuck on the lock screen, resetting your iPad can help you regain access. You can read the following paragraphs to seek the most suitable way to reset a locked iPad to factory settings.

Part 1: First Try: How to Reset a Locked iPad Without a Passcode

If your iPad is locked by your forgetfulness or disabled by the password being entered incorrectly many times, the only way to reset your iPad is to wipe your password. The easiest way to remove the screen-lock password is to use the third-party software, Apeaksoft iOS Unlocker.

Apeaksoft iOS Unlocker is the professional iPad unlocker software. It can directly factory reset the iPad without a password, so that you can use the iPad as a new one.

How to Reset a Locked iPad

Step 1. Free download iOS Unlocker and open this program after the successful installation.

Step 2. Connect your locked iPad to the computer, and choose the Wipe Passcode mode.

Step 3. Then, the information of your iOS device will be loaded automatically. Confirm it. Or modify the information if it is wrong, and click the Start button to proceed.

Step 4. Then it will start downloading the firmware package from the Apple server. The process will take some time, and just wait the it patiently.

Step 5. After the firmware downloading is complete, click the Unlock button. Then input 0000 and click Unlock to start wiping the locked password and factory resetting the iPad immediately.

Part 2: How to Factory Reset a Locked iPad Using iTunes

If you have trusted your computer or backed up your iPad on your iPad, you can factory reset a locked iPad using iTunes (or Finder on a Mac) without passwords.

Step 1. Connect your iPad to a trusted computer

Update your iTunes to the latest version. Use a lightning USB cable to connect the iPad to a trusted computer you have synced. Therefore, you will not be asked to enter a forgotten iPad password.

Step 2. Reset a locked iPad using iTunes

Select the Summary tab in the left panel, and click Restore Backup under the Backups section. Hit Restore to confirm whether iTunes should restore your iPad to factory settings or not.

Step 3. Restore from iTunes backup on iPad

Your iPad will restart after factory resetting. When you reach the Set up screen, select Restore from iTunes Backup and pick out the most relevant iTunes backup to restore.

Part 3: How to Reset a Locked iPad to Factory Settings via iCloud

If you happen to have turned on Find My iPad in the past, then you can reset a locked iPad using iCloud remotely. This way will be much more time-saving.

Step 1. Visit iCloud.com on your browser and sign in with your Apple ID and password. Choose the Find My option.

Step 2. You need to select your iPad from the All Devices drop-down list.

Step 3. Press the Erase button in the pop-up window. Check and confirm to reset your locked iPad.

After that, you can restore your iPad from a backup, or you can set up your iPad as a new one. This method also works when your iPad keeps restarting or iPad password is forgotten, etc.

Part 4: How to Hard Reset a Locked iPad Using Recovery Mode

If you have not synced your iPad with iTunes or set up Find My in the past, you should use recovery mode to wipe a disabled iPad to factory settings. The steps are also simple:

Step 1. Set your iPad in Recovery Mode

Launch iTunes and connect your iPad to your computer. Press and hold the Home button and Sleep/Wake button at the same time. Do not release them until you see the recovery-mode screen.

Step 2. Confirm to reset a locked iPad without an Apple ID

Click Restore when you see the pop-up notification notifying you to update or restore your iPad. The moment you confirm to restore your disabled iPad, iTunes will start to download software for it within 15 minutes. Later, you can set up an iPad with factory settings.

Part 5: Last Try: Reset Locked iPad Using DFU Mode

If you fail to reset a locked iPad to factory settings using the Recovery mode, you can try putting your device into DFU mode. DFU mode works at a deeper level than Recovery mode, allowing iTunes or Finder to completely reinstall the iPad’s firmware and operating system. This method is often considered the "last resort" when other reset options don’t work.

Step 1. Connect your iPad

Launch iTunes and connect your iPad to the computer with a USB cable.

Step 2. Set your iPad in DFU Mode

Press and hold the Power button for 3 seconds, then press the Power and Home buttons at the same time for 10 seconds. Release the Power button, but keep holding the Home button for 5-10 seconds until the screen goes black and your computer detects the DFU mode.

Step 3. Restore iPad

Press the Restore iPad button in the pop-up window, and choose Restore and Update to move on.

Part 6: FAQs of Resetting a Locked iPad

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