The Ultimate Guide to Unlocking Your Disabled iPad

January 30, 2024Andrew Miller

Whether you have forgotten your iPad lock screen passcode, entered it incorrectly too many times, or encountered a software glitch, regaining access seems hard. This post shares three effective methods to safely and securely unlock your disabled iPad, restoring it to its full potential.

Unlock Disabled iPad

Part 1. Why Is My iPad Disabled

There are several reasons why your iPad might be disabled, ranging from simple forgetfulness to software glitches. Before diving into solutions, let's understand the main culprits behind a disabled iPad.

Too Many Incorrect Passcode Attempts: It is the most common reason. That will trigger a security lockout to protect your data from unauthorized access. The number of allowed attempts before lockout varies depending on your iPad model and iPadOS version.

iCloud Find My iPad: This handy anti-theft feature remotely locks your iPad if it's lost or stolen. While intended for security, it can also lead to an accidental lockout if you forget your Apple ID password. If you remotely erased your iPad using Find My iPad, it will be disabled and require you to set it up again.

iCloud and Activation Lock: If your iPad is linked to iCloud Lock or Activation Lock, it may become disabled if you erase it without entering the Apple ID and password.

Software Glitch: While less common, software glitches can sometimes cause your iPad to become disabled. That could be due to a buggy update, corrupted files, or other software issues.

Hardware Issues: In rare cases, hardware problems like a faulty button or internal memory error might also lead to your iPad becoming disabled.

Part 2. How to Unlock a Disabled iPad Without iTunes

Even if you have forgotten your lock screen passcode or exceeded the attempt limit, regaining access to your iPad is still possible. You can use the powerful Aiseesoft iPad Unlocker to safely unlock your disabled iPad. It lets you easily remove the screen lock from your iPad and iPhone, including pin codes, Touch ID, and Face ID. Moreover, this iPad unlocker helps bypass iCloud activation lock and remove MDM profiles, screen time restrictions, and iPhone encryption.

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  • Unlock a locked iPad and iPhone with data preservation.
  • Erase the forgotten lock screen passcode, Face ID, and Touch ID.
  • Regain your Apple account and get rid of Screen Time restrictions.
  • Support all popular iPad/iPhone models and software versions.
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Step 1.
Download and open this iPad unlocker tool on your computer. Pick the Wipe Passcode mode from the main interface. As you can see, it also allows you to remove Apple ID, Screen Time, MDM, and Backup Encryption Settings. Click the Start button and connect your locked iPad.
Step 2.
When the disabled iPad is recognized successfully, some device information will be displayed. Confirm the device type, model, and system version, and then click Start to continue. It will start downloading the appropriate firmware package to unlock the disabled iPad.
Step 3.
Click the Unlock button to remove the current lock screen passcode on your iPad. After that, you can access your disabled iPad without a password.
Unlock Locked iPhone iPad Screen

Part 3. How to Unlock Your Disabled iPad Without a Computer

If the Find My iPad feature is enabled, you can go to iCloud or the Find My app on another portable device and unlock your disabled iPad without a computer.

Step 1.
On another Apple device, open the Find My app. If you don't have another Apple device, go to the iCloud website on a web browser and sign in with your Apple ID.
Step 2.
In the Find My app, tap the Devices tab. In the iCloud site, choose Find My. Locate your disabled iPad from the list of devices and select it.
Step 3.
Choose Erase iPad or Erase This Device. Enter your Apple ID password to confirm. Acknowledge the warning that this will erase all data on your iPad.

Your iPad will begin the remote erase process. This process may take a few minutes. Keep your device connected to the internet. Once the erase is complete, your iPad will be unlocked and reset to factory settings.

Unlock Disabled iPad Find My App

This unlock method will erase all data on your iPad, including photos, contacts, apps, and settings. If you have a recent backup, you can restore your data after unlocking.

Part 4. How to Unlock Your Disabled iPad with iTunes or Finder

To unlock a disabled iPad with iTunes or Finder, you will need a computer with iTunes installed (for macOS Mojave or earlier) or Finder (for macOS Catalina and later).

Step 1.
Turn off your disabled iPad and connect it to a computer. Do not disconnect it during the process.
Step 2.
Force your iPad into Recovery Mode. If you have an old iPad with a Home button, press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button simultaneously until you see the Recovery Mode screen. For a newer iPad model without a Home button, you should press and hold the Top button and Volume button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
Step 3.
If iTunes doesn't open automatically, launch it manually. For macOS Catalina and later, your iPad will appear in the Finder sidebar. In iTunes or Finder, you'll see a prompt to restore your iPad.
Step 4.
Click Restore and follow the on-screen instructions. The software for your iPad will be downloaded and installed, erasing all data and settings. Once the restore is complete, your disabled iPad will be unlocked. Disconnect your iPad from the computer.
Unlock Disabled iPad Recovery Mode Finder Restore

Part 5. Tips for Preventing Your iPad to Get Disabled

By taking some simple precautions, you can turn your iPad into a fortress against the disabling issues. Here are some tips to keep your iPad safe and sound.

Craft a strong passcode. Don't share your iPad lock screen passcode with anyone, not even your closest unicorn.

If your iPad supports Touch ID or Face ID, use them. They help to add an extra layer of security and make unlocking your device a breeze.

Back up your iPad data to iCloud, iTunes, or your computer regularly. This way, even if your iPad gets disabled, you won't lose your precious photos, videos, and documents.

Keep your iPad software up to date and enable the firewall on your iPad if available.

When you are not using your iPad, set it to auto-lock after a short period of time. It will prevent unauthorized access if you leave it lying around.

Activate Find My iPad. This feature can help you locate your lost or stolen iPad and even remotely erase it if necessary.

Part 6. FAQs of How to Unlock a Disabled iPad

Can I unlock a disabled iPad with an Android phone?

No, you cannot directly unlock a disabled iPad with an Android phone, even though the iCloud website. While the iCloud website can be accessed from any device with a web browser, including those running Android, its functionalities are specific to managing Apple devices and iCloud data.

Can Best Buy unlock my disabled iPad?

Yes, Best Buy can potentially unlock your disabled iPad, but it depends on the reason for the disable and the specific services they offer at your local store.

How do I force a disabled iPad to restart?

For iPads with a Home button: Press the Power button and the Home button simultaneously for at least 10 seconds. Don't release them until you see the Apple logo appear.
For iPads without a Home button: Quickly hit the Volume Up button. Quickly hit the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Top or Side button until you see the Apple logo appear.

Conclusion

Forgotten lock screen passcode? Disabled iPad? Take a deep breath because unlocking solutions are within reach. You can use your preferred method about how to unlock a disabled iPad to easily access your locked iPad.

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