Forgetting your iPad passcode can be super annoying, especially if you've tried entering it too many times and now your device is locked. You might see a message like "iPad Unavailable" or "Security Lockout," and now you can't access your iPad. Don't worry—there's a way to unlock it! In this guide, we'll show you two methods to get back into your iPad: the official Apple recovery mode and a quicker, easier method with PcGoGo Screen Unlock.
What Happens When You Enter the Wrong Passcode Too Many Times
After entering the wrong passcode too many times, your iPad will get locked for a while, and each failed attempt increases the lockout time. Eventually, you'll see a message like "iPad Unavailable" or "Security Lockout"
At this point, you can't access your device until you erase and restore it
The catch? This will delete all the data on your iPad. If you've been regularly backing up to iCloud or iTunes, you can easily restore everything afterward. If not, you'll be setting it up as new
Method 1: Unlock iPad Using Apple's Recovery Mode (The Official Way)
Apple provides a way to unlock your iPad through recovery mode, but it does involve erasing your data. If that's fine with you, let's walk through the steps:
Step 1: Turn Off Your iPad
To start, you need to turn off your iPad
For iPads with no Home button (iPad X and later)
Press and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons at the same time, then hold the Top button until the power-off slider appears
For iPads with a Home button:
Press and hold the Top button until the slider appears
Slide the slider to turn off your iPad and wait until it's completely powered off
Step 2: Put Your iPad Into Recovery Mode
Now that your iPad is off, it's time to put it into recovery mode:
Connect your iPad to your computer with a USB cable
For iPads with no Home button (iPad X and later):
Press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Top button until the recovery mode screen appears
For iPads with a Home button:
Press and hold both the Home and Top button (or Side button) at the same time until the recovery mode screen shows up
When your iPad shows the computer + cable icon, you're in recovery mode
Step 3: Restore Your iPad Using iTunes or Finder
On a Mac (macOS Catalina or later): Open Finder, select your iPad under Locations, and click Restore
On a Windows PC (or older Mac): Open iTunes, select your device, and hit Restore
Your computer will download the necessary software and begin the restore process. If the download takes more than 15 minutes, your iPad may exit recovery mode. If that happens, just let the download finish, turn off your iPad, and repeat the process
Step 4: Set Up Your iPad Again
Once the restore is complete, your iPad will restart, and the Hello screen will show up
Disconnect your iPad from the computer and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up
If you have a backup on iCloud or iTunes, you can restore your data during setup. If not, you'll be setting it up as a brand-new device
Method 2: Unlock iPad Without Passcode Using PcGoGo Screen Unlock (Faster & Easier)
If you want a quicker, hassle-free way to unlock your iPad, PcGoGo Screen Unlock is the tool for you. It's an easy-to-use software that can unlock your iPad without a passcode—no need for recovery mode or a computer.
Step 1: Download and Install PcGoGo Screen Unlock
Head to the official PcGoGo Screen Unlock website and download the latest version of the software
Install it on your PC. Once installed, launch the program
Step 2: Connect Your iPad to the Computer
Connect your locked iPad to your computer using a USB cable
Wait for the program to detect your iPad
Select Unlock Screen Passcode from the main screen and then click Remove Now to start the process
Step 3: Download the Firmware Package
PcGoGo Screen Unlock will automatically detect your iPad model and iOS version
Click Download to get the necessary firmware to unlock your iPad. Wait for the download to finish before moving to the next step
Step 4: Start the Unlocking Process
Once the firmware is downloaded, click Start Removal
PcGoGo Screen Unlock will begin removing the passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID
Don't disconnect your iPad during this process—it will only take a few minutes
Step 5: Set Up Your iPad After Unlocking
Once the unlocking process is complete, your iPad will restart, and the passcode will be removed
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup
You can restore your data from a backup if you have one. If not, you can set up your iPad as new
Conclusion
Getting locked out of your iPad can be a hassle, but it's fixable! Whether you choose the official Apple recovery mode or the faster, easier PcGoGo Screen Unlock, you can get back into your device quickly and without much stress. Don't forget to back up your data regularly and enable biometric access (Face ID/Touch ID) for smoother future use.
