Nowadays, most mobile devices come with security features like password security lock, fingerprint sensors, face identification and many more. Apple security is one of the brand’s key selling points, but it can also be a cause of headache if you forget something like the password. You don’t have to avoid these devices as there are easy remedies for such occurrences. This article will guide you through how to unlock an iPad when you don’t have a password.
How does an iPad get Locked?
Most of the time, an iPad gets disabled if you have typed the wrong password too many times. For example, it may be a user who has typed an incorrect password without realising what will happen to the device. The iPad can be disabled for a minute, an hour or even years depending on the number of incorrect attempts. You can unlock the iPad after several attempts if you remember the password or you can use our guide below.
How do you unlock an iPad?
There are only three methods of unlocking a locked iPad without a password. These are:
- Unlocking with a computer.
- Unlocking without a computer
- Unlocking using third-party software.
Let’s look at how you can use each one of these methods.
How to unlock your iPad with a Computer
You can unlock your iPad with a computer using iTunes or Recovery mode.
How to Unlock an iPad with iTunes
You must have used iTunes before to manage your data and media files (have an account etc). It is also a helpful tool when it comes to unlocking your devices without a password. If you have synced your iPad with iTunes before, you can use iTunes to unlock the device without a password. This is done by restoring the tablet’s factory settings.
Follow the below steps to unlock your iPad via iTunes.
- Install the latest iTunes into your computer and launch it.
- Connect the iPad to the computer using a USB cable.
- Click on the device icon that appears on the upper left corner of the iTunes interface.
- Choose “Summary” from the left panel and select “Restore iPad” on the right panel.
- Click the “Done” button at the bottom and the system will start restoring. Once the system is fully restored, you can choose to use the iPad as a new device. Or, you can restore your data from backup.
How to unlock your iPad via DFU mode
If a recovery with iTunes does not work, you can try removing the iPad’s password using recovery mode. Note: This option also deletes everything from the device and restores it to factory settings.
This solution is more helpful if you have locked the device by exceeding the set maximum number of unlocking attempts. Or if you had not turned on “Find My iPad” to allow a remote restore.
In this case, follow the steps below.
- Open iTunes on your computer and ensure that you have the latest version.
- Turn off the iPad and let it rest for a few seconds.
- Put the iPad into recovery mode. How you put the device into recovery mode depends on the model. Press and hold the Home button and the top button simultaneously. Do this until the recovery mode screen appears (if your iPad has a home button). Alternatively, ff your device has a Face ID, Press and quickly release the volume button. Repeat the same process for the volume down button and hold the top button until the device activates recovery mode.
- Locate your iPad on the computer and choose the restore option.
- Wait for the restore to complete and set up your device as new.
How to Unlock an iPad Without a Computer
There are only two options in this section: Unlocking using Siri and unlocking via ‘find my iPad’.
Unlocking via Siri
Siri is a convenient and easy way to unlock your iPad without data loss. However, you can only use it if your device is running iOS 8 to 10.1. The success rate is also not high, but you can give it a try. Follow the below steps to unlock your iPad using Siri.
- Press and hold the “Home” button for a few seconds to activate Siri and ask it to open an app that you haven’t installed on the device.
- iTunes will explain that there is no such app on the device and will try helping by bringing up the App Store icon for you to search the app.
- Tap the App Store icon provided and a window will pop up. Choose the ‘last app’ or update the others. You can also double push the Home button to complete this step.
- Wait for the preview to appear and close the active front screen task to access the device without using a password.
Unlocking remotely via iCloud
The idea behind iCloud is to help Apple users locate their devices when they are lost. It can also be used to erase sensitive data to avoid it from getting into the hands of third parties. The process for erasing data restores the device to factory settings. This means it can also help in removing the set password. However, you should have linked the iPad with your iCloud account and have the “Find My iPad” via iCloud.com option enabled. Below are the steps to follow.
- Use any internet-enabled device to find iCloud.com and log in using your Apple ID and password. Ensure that the account is the same account associated with that particular iPad.
- Select “Find My iPad” and tap on “All Devices”.
- Select your device from the list and select “Erase iPad from the available options.
- Confirm your choice and the device will be wiped clean after a few minutes.
Your iPad will restart, and you can now access it without a password. You can then restore your recent backup from iCloud or iTunes if you have one.
How to unlock your iPad using third-party software
The market is full of third-party software solutions that can help you unlock an iOS device while bypassing the set password protection. You are required to download the program to your computer and connect the tablet with a USB port. Most of the programs follow the same process of updating the recent firmware and erase all data from the iPad. They also allow the use of DFU mode in the same way as iTunes if your device is not detected. You can backup iTunes in the normal way after completing the process or get back your data if you had a recent backup.
Conclusion
If there is a need to unlock your tablet without a password, then you can choose unlock options above. Choose the most appropriate method depending on your situation. Be aware that each has its advantages and disadvantages. Read and choose carefully. It could be better if the user can unlock their device without losing data but most of the methods above will erase all your data. it is a big decision. You can, however, get back your data if you had backed up your data in iCloud. This shows that it is important to start backing up your data once you can access your iPad to avoid losing it. This is a very good practice that we recommend.
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