Forgot Passcode on iPad: How to Reset It

If you forgot the passcode on your iPad, Apple does not provide a way to view or recover that passcode. To regain access, you must erase the iPad, set it up again, and restore your data from a backup if one is available.

What happens when you enter the wrong passcode on an iPad?

After several incorrect attempts, the iPad temporarily blocks more passcode entries. The screen may show “iPad Unavailable” or “Security Lockout,” along with a timer telling you when you can try again.

The waiting period becomes longer after additional incorrect attempts. Do not keep guessing: repeated failures can eventually leave the iPad unavailable without another immediate attempt, and the device may erase itself if the optional Erase Data setting was previously enabled.

If you recently changed the passcode and the iPad offers “Forgot Passcode?” on the lock screen, select it and follow the prompts. On supported software versions, you may be able to use the previous passcode for a limited period after changing it. If that option is unavailable, the iPad must be erased.

What do you need before resetting a forgotten iPad passcode?

Before you reset the passcode on an iPad, gather the following:

• A Mac or Windows computer with an internet connection.
• A compatible charging and data cable.
• The Apple Account email address or phone number previously used on the iPad, plus its password. Apple Account is the current name for what was formerly called an Apple ID.
• Enough battery charge to keep the iPad running during recovery, or a power source nearby.
• An iCloud or computer backup, if you want to restore your saved data afterward.

You may need to update the computer before beginning. On a Mac, use Finder. On Windows, use the Apple Devices app or iTunes, depending on what is installed and supported.

How do you reset an iPad passcode using recovery mode?

Recovery mode is a special startup state that lets a computer erase and reinstall the iPad software. Use it when you forgot the passcode for the iPad and cannot erase the device from its lock screen.

1. Turn off the iPad. Disconnect it from the computer first if necessary.
2. On an iPad without a Home button, press and quickly release the volume button nearest the top button, then the other volume button. Press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to turn off the iPad.
3. On an iPad with a Home button, press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to turn it off.
4. Connect the cable to the computer. Connect the other end to the iPad while holding the correct button: use the top button on an iPad without a Home button or the Home button on an iPad with one.
5. Keep holding the button past the Apple logo. Release it only when the recovery-mode screen appears, showing a cable and computer.
6. Open Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes and select the iPad.
7. When offered a choice between Update and Restore, choose Restore. The computer downloads the software and erases the iPad.
8. Wait for the process to finish, then disconnect the iPad and complete the setup screens.

If the download takes long enough for the iPad to leave recovery mode, let the download finish. Turn off the iPad and repeat the recovery-mode steps.

How do you reset an iPad passcode using Find My?

If Find My was enabled before the lockout and the iPad is connected to a network, you can erase it remotely. This method still requires the Apple Account credentials associated with the device.

1. On another device, open the Find My app. You can also open {site} in a browser and use the device-finding feature.
2. Sign in with the Apple Account connected to the locked iPad.
3. Select the iPad from the list of devices.
4. Choose the option to erase the device and confirm the request.
5. Leave the iPad powered on and connected. The erase begins when the device can receive the command.
6. After erasure, follow the setup prompts and restore a backup if one exists.

Remote erasure deletes local content and settings, including the forgotten passcode. Activation Lock remains active, so the same Apple Account and password may be required before the iPad can be used again.

What happens to your data when you reset an iPad passcode?

Resetting a forgotten iPad passcode erases the device. Photos, messages, downloads, app data, settings, and other information stored only on that iPad cannot be recovered after the erase.

• If you have an iCloud backup, choose the option to restore from iCloud during setup and sign in to the correct Apple Account.
• If you have a Mac or Windows backup, connect the iPad to that computer and choose the option to restore from the computer backup.
• If you have no backup, set up the iPad as new. Information already synced separately with iCloud may return after you sign in, but data stored only on the erased device will not.

How do you set a new passcode after resetting an iPad?

During setup, the iPad asks you to create a new passcode. Enter the new passcode twice, then continue through the remaining setup screens.

Choose a passcode that is difficult for someone else to guess but that you can remember. Avoid birthdays, repeated digits, and simple sequences. Select Passcode Options during setup if you want a longer numeric code or a custom alphanumeric code.

After setting the passcode, configure Face ID or Touch ID if the iPad supports it. Biometric sign-in makes routine unlocking easier, but the iPad will still require the passcode in certain situations, including after a restart.

When should you contact Apple Support about a locked iPad?

Contact Apple Support if the computer does not recognize the iPad, recovery mode repeatedly fails, an error interrupts the restore, or the iPad remains unavailable after the required waiting period. A lockout lasting an hour or more does not reveal the forgotten passcode; wait for any displayed timer or use an official erase method.

Open {site} and choose iPad support to find verified contact options for your location. Be prepared to provide proof of purchase if ownership must be confirmed. Apple Support cannot disclose or bypass the passcode, and Activation Lock cannot be removed without the associated account credentials or acceptable proof of ownership.