iPad unavailable or forgotten passcode: how to get back in

Typed the wrong passcode too many times and now your iPad says iPad Unavailable or Security Lockout? This guide walks through Apple's three official ways back in, from the gentlest to a full restore with a computer.

If you changed the passcode in the last 72 hours on iPadOS 17 or later, tap Forgot Passcode? and use your previous passcode. Otherwise, if Find My was on and the iPad is online, you can erase it from the Lock Screen using your Apple Account password. If neither option appears, put the iPad into recovery mode with a Mac or Windows PC and restore it. Erasing removes everything, and you will still need the Apple Account and password afterwards to get past Activation Lock.

• 1. Stop guessing once you see iPad Unavailable: After five wrong attempts the iPad shows an iPad Unavailable or Security Lockout screen with a timer. More wrong guesses only make the wait longer. Look at the bottom corner of the screen instead to see which recovery option Apple offers you.
• 2. Use your old passcode if you changed it recently: On iPadOS 17 or later, if you set a new passcode within the last 72 hours, tap Forgot Passcode? and then Enter Previous Passcode. Type the old passcode and follow the prompts to set a new one. Nothing is erased. The iPad needs to be online, signed in to your Apple Account and have Find My turned on for this option to show.
• 3. Erase from the Lock Screen if you have your Apple Account: This works on iPadOS 15.2 or later if Find My was on before you got locked out and the iPad has Wi-Fi or mobile data. On iPadOS 17 or later, tap Forgot Passcode?, then Start iPad Reset. On iPadOS 15.2 and 16, tap Erase iPad. Enter your Apple Account password to sign out, then tap Erase iPad to confirm. The iPad wipes itself and restarts, ready to set up again.
• 4. Get a computer ready if no option appears: If you do not see these options, or you do not know the Apple Account password, Apple's next route is a computer. On a Mac, you will use Finder. On a Windows PC, install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store first. Keep the iPad unplugged for now.
• 5. Turn the iPad off: On an iPad without a Home button, press and hold either volume button together with the top button until the power off slider appears. On an iPad with a Home button, press and hold the top button until the slider appears. Drag the slider, then give it a full minute to shut down.
• 6. Put it into recovery mode: Connect the iPad to the computer with the cable. Without a Home button: press and quickly release the volume button nearest the top button, press and quickly release the other volume button, then press and hold the top button. With a Home button: press and hold the Home button and the top (or side) button together. Keep holding past the Apple logo and let go only when you see a picture of a computer and a cable. If the passcode screen appears instead, turn the iPad off and try again.
• 7. Choose Restore on the computer: Find the iPad in Finder or the Apple Devices app and choose Restore when asked. The computer downloads the latest iPadOS and erases the iPad. If the download takes longer than about 15 minutes, the iPad may drop out of recovery mode on its own. Let the download finish, switch the iPad off and repeat the recovery mode step.
• 8. Get past Activation Lock during setup: When the Hello screen appears, unplug the iPad and set it up. If Find My was on, an Activation Lock screen will ask for the Apple Account and password used on the iPad before. Erasing does not remove this lock, so without those details the iPad cannot be used. If you cannot remember the account, Apple suggests trying the email addresses or phone numbers you usually use with Apple services.
• 9. Restore your data and set a new passcode: Once you are past Activation Lock, choose to restore from your iCloud or computer backup if you have one, or set it up as new. Pick a passcode you will remember, and consider writing a hint somewhere safe at home, not on the iPad itself.