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How to Unlock Your iPad When You Forgot the Password

While the lock screen can protect your iPad, you may be locked out if you forgot your password. According to our research, the majority of iPad users have encountered or are encountering the lockout problem. The good news is that you have multiple ways to unlock your device when you forgot your iPad password in various situations. This article shares the proven methods and demonstrates the detailed steps.

Part 1: How to Unlock an iPad If You Forgot the Password

Security Lockout is a feature on iPadOS 15.2 and above. When you enter the wrong password repeatedly, it will be activated. Moreover, it comes with the iPad Erase or Forgot Passcode option, which lets you unlock your iPad when you forgot the password.

Prerequisites:

  • 1. Your iPad runs iPadOS 15.2 and above.
  • 2. Your Apple ID and password.
iPad Erase

Step 1. Enter the password repeatedly until the iPad Unavailable screen appears.

Step 2. Tap the Forgot Passcode button on iPadOS 17 and above or Erase iPad on iPadOS 15.2 and later.

iPad Unavailable

Step 3. Next, choose Start Reset or Erase iPad to proceed.

Step 4. Input the associated Apple Account password to sign out of your account.

Step 5. Finally, tap the Erase iPad button to begin erasing your device.

Step 6. When it is done, you can unlock your iPad directly and set it up as a new device.

Part 2: How to Restore an iPad If You Forgot Your Password

How to reset an iPad if you forgot your password? You can complete the process in Recovery Mode using the latest version of iTunes or Finder. This method doesn’t require a password, but you still have to enter your Apple Account and password if Find My iPad is enabled.

Prerequisites:

  • 1. A computer and a USB cable.
  • 2. The physical buttons on your iPad are working.
  • 3. Your Apple Account and password if Find My iPad has been turned on.
  • 4. The latest version of iTunes or Finder.

Step 1. Plug your iPad into a computer with a compatible cable.

Step 2. Open iTunes on Windows and macOS Mojave or earlier. Or run Finder on macOS Catalina or later.

iPad Recovery Mode Buttons

Step 3. Put your iPad in Recovery Mode:

For an iPad without the Home button

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.

Do the same thing to the Volume Down button.

Press and hold the Side or Top button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.

For iPad with the Home button

Hold down the Home + Sleep/Wake buttons together.

When you see the Recovery Mode screen, let the buttons go.

Step 4. Once iTunes or Finder detects your iPad in Recovery Mode, a dialog will pop up.

Tips: If the dialog doesn’t appear, disconnect your iPad and perform the steps above again.

iPad Recovery Mode

Step 5. Click the Restore button to start restoring the forgotten iPad password.

Step 6. When it is done, your iPad will restart to the Hello screen.

Part 3: How to Open Your iPad When You Forget Your Password

Another way to get into an iPad when forgetting the password is the Find My iPad feature. It can track your iPad on an interactive map and offers a few options, including Erase iPad. Moreover, this way works even if your iPad is not in your hand currently.

How to Get into iPad on iCloud.com

Prerequisites:

  • 1. Find My iPad has been enabled on your iPad.
  • 2. Your Apple Account and password.
  • 3. Your iPad connects to the internet.
  • 4. A web browser and stable Wi-Fi.
Erase iPad on iCloud.com

Step 1. Go to www.icloud.com/find and log in with your Apple ID and password.

Tips: If you have turned on Two-factor authentication, enter the verification code that appears on your iPad screen.

Step 2. Choose your iPad from the All Devices list.

Step 3. Once Find My tracks your iPad, the location will show up on the map.

Step 4. Click the Erase or Erase This Device button.

Step 5. Read the warning and click the Next button.

Step 6. Offer your Apple Account password again to disable Find My iPad.

Step 7. Finally, click the Erase or similar button to confirm it.

Step 8. Then, you can open your iPad if you forgot the password and set a new lock screen password.

How to Open Your iPad on Another Apple Device

Prerequisites:

  • 1. Find My iPad has been turned on.
  • 2. Your Apple Account credentials.
  • 3. Your iPad is online.
  • 5. The latest version of the Find My app.
Erase iPad on Find My app

Step 1. Open the Find My app on a borrowed Apple device.

Step 2. Log in with your Apple Account and password.

Step 3. Head to the Devices tab from the button.

Step 4. Choose your iPad from the list to track the device.

Step 5. Tap or click the Erase or Erase This Device button.

Step 6. Read the alert and tap or click the Continue button.

Step 7. If prompted, enter your Apple Account password.

Step 8. At last, tap or click the Erase button to begin erasing your iPad when forgetting the password.

Part 4: How to Reset an iPad If You Forgot Your Password

The common methods to unlock an iPad when forgetting the password require you to meet certain requirements. If they are unavailable to your device, you have to reset your iPad when forgetting the password using Apeaksoft iFoneKit iOS Unlocker. It is able to break into your iPad without any restrictions. Moreover, the concise design simplifies the workflow.

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  • Unlock an iPad without the passcode or password.
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iFoneKit

How to Reset Your iPad If You Forgot the Password

Step 1. Install iPad unlocking software

Launch the iPad unlocking software once you install it on your computer. It is available on Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista and Mac OS X 10.7 or above. Connect your iPad to your computer with a Lightning cable. If prompted, tap Trust on your iPad screen to trust this computer.

Wipe Passcode

Step 2. Download the firmware

Choose the Unlock iOS Screen mode to load your device information. Check them and click the Start Now button to begin downloading the firmware.

Start Now

Step 3. Unlock your iPad

When the download is complete, click the OK button on the confirmation dialog. Next, click the Confirm Again button to verify the firmware. When firmware verification finishes, the software will automatically unlock your iPad even if you forgot the password.

Unlock Ios Screen Successfully

Tips: Since the process will erase all your data, you’d better back up your entire iPad to iCloud or a computer.

Conclusion

Now, you should understand what to do if you forgot your iPad password. The Security Lockout feature enables you to erase your device and remove the lock screen without extra hardware or software. The Recovery Mode is another option to regain access to your locked iPad. You can also try unlocking your device with Find My if you have set up Find My iPad before forgetting your passcode. Apeaksoft iFoneKit iOS Unlocker is the ultimate solution to remove forgotten iPad passcode.

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Noah Miller
Noah Miller

Expertise: Unlock iOS · Unlock Android · Transfer Data · iOS Tips

Noah Miller is an editor at Apeaksoft who focuses on mobile unlocking and data transfer solutions. He has tested dozens of iOS and Android tools. He writes guides on unlocking devices, transferring data, and solving mobile system issues.