Disabled iPad - how to access without erasing data

An iPad passcode cannot be recovered, reset or modified from another device. By design, recovery will entail loss of all locally stored data - however, you will be able to restore data from your iCloud or iTunes backup at the end of the process. 

If don’t have a pre-existing backup, created before the iPad was rendered unavailable, all local data will be unavoidably and irretrievably lost.

Your iPad has an encrypted filesystem, for which an encryption key is required to successfully access any locally stored data. The only copy of the encryption key is securely stored within the iPad’s security chip (i.e., the Secure Enclave). Your Passcode unlocks the Secure Enclave - which in turn releases the cryptographic keys required to decrypt data; without a passcode, no data can be recovered.

iPadOS 15.2 or later with a forgotten Passcode

Apple has introduced a procedure with which to reset an iPad or iPhone with a forgotten Passcode - allowing you to use your AppleID and associated Password to reset your device.

How to reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when you forgot your passcode - Apple Support

You will be able to restore data from a pre-existing iCloud backup without the use of a computer, but will require a PC/Mac to restore data from an iTunes backup.

iPadOS 15.1 and earlier - and all devices that are Disabled



If your iPad is disabled, or you have forgotten your iPad passcode, you have no alternative other than to follow this process:

If you’ve forgotten the passcode on your iPad, or your iPad is disabled – Apple Support

You’ll need access to either a Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS).

Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support

Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support

Use of a PC or Mac is unavoidable. If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. Alternatively, the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store will be delighted to assist.

AppleID

You may also need your AppleID and associated password. If these have also been forgotten, they can be recovered here:

https://iforgot.apple.com

To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:

• Your primary email address mailbox that corresponds with your AppleID
• Any of the secondary/recovery email addresses that should be configured for your AppleID account
• Any of the trusted telephone numbers (fixed line or Cellular/Mobile) that are associated with your AppleID

Unless you AppleID account has not been fully/correctly configured, or has been seriously neglected, recovery of the AppleID and password should not be difficult.

More information about recovery of your AppleID:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

More information about recovery of your AppleID password:

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

When you recover access to your credentials, you would be well advised to log-in to your AppleID account from a web browser - and verify/update any email addresses and trusted telephone numbers:

https://appleid.apple.com

You can't. This is designed to prevent people from accessing data on someone else's unit; its owner is supposed to back it up. Apple closes any holes which might be used to recover it that they become aware of.

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As soon as the iPad becomes disabled - this only occurring after many failed attempts to successfully enter the correct Passcode - the iPad is designed to automatically wipe all encryption keys from its Security Chip (Secure Enclave).

As soon as the encryption keys have been wiped, it is impossible for anyone to decrypt the locally stored data. Apple does not have a copy of the encryption keys that protect the data on your iPad. As such, Apple cannot recover - or help to recover - this encrypted data.

If you have an iCloud or iTunes backup of your data, the backup can be restored to your iPad. An iCloud backup automatically refreshes without any additional effort by you. The iCloud backup automatically executes when the iPad is connected to its Power Adapter and WiFi, while the iPad is locked - and 24hrs or more have elapsed since the backup was last refreshed. As such, your backup is kept “current” without manual intervention.

If you don’t have a backup - and you (or somebody else) continuously attempts to unlock your iPad with the wrong passcode - your data/files will be irretrievably lost.