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IPad unavailable

How to unlock my IPAD

when it says Unavailable and there is no erase button


iPad Pro, iPadOS 13

Posted on Apr 25, 2023 9:19 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 25, 2023 9:20 PM

Hello,


For a disabled iPad, or one for which you have forgotten the passcode, refer to this document for various methods you can use to resolve this depending upon your equipment specifications: If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support


You will need to use the method in this support article: If you forgot your iPad passcode - Apple Support if:

• you do not have a device that's using iOS 15.2 or iPadOS 15.2 or later.

• your device is not connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network (if you restart your device when you see "Security Lockout" on the Lock Screen, you won't be able to reconnect to a Wi-Fi network until your device is unlocked. Cellular devices will reconnect to a cellular network if you have active service).

• you do not have your Apple ID and password that you used to set up your device.


These models, if using iPadOS 15.2 or later, do not require a computer:

iPad Air2, iPad mini4 (if updated)

iPad Pro

iPad Air 3rd generation and later

iPad (5th generation and later)

iPad mini (5th generation and later)


Unfortunately if you have a forgotten/unknown device passcode, or have a disabled device (device unavailable or lockout screen), you have no option but to erase the device. However, you can eventually restore the data and settings from a backup you made before the device was disabled. If you end up having to use a computer and you do not have one, borrow one from a friend, or go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. You can also use a PC with iTunes. You will likely also need your Apple ID and password.



3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 25, 2023 9:20 PM in response to Maggiepatchesgypsy

Hello,


For a disabled iPad, or one for which you have forgotten the passcode, refer to this document for various methods you can use to resolve this depending upon your equipment specifications: If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support


You will need to use the method in this support article: If you forgot your iPad passcode - Apple Support if:

• you do not have a device that's using iOS 15.2 or iPadOS 15.2 or later.

• your device is not connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network (if you restart your device when you see "Security Lockout" on the Lock Screen, you won't be able to reconnect to a Wi-Fi network until your device is unlocked. Cellular devices will reconnect to a cellular network if you have active service).

• you do not have your Apple ID and password that you used to set up your device.


These models, if using iPadOS 15.2 or later, do not require a computer:

iPad Air2, iPad mini4 (if updated)

iPad Pro

iPad Air 3rd generation and later

iPad (5th generation and later)

iPad mini (5th generation and later)


Unfortunately if you have a forgotten/unknown device passcode, or have a disabled device (device unavailable or lockout screen), you have no option but to erase the device. However, you can eventually restore the data and settings from a backup you made before the device was disabled. If you end up having to use a computer and you do not have one, borrow one from a friend, or go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. You can also use a PC with iTunes. You will likely also need your Apple ID and password.



Apr 25, 2023 9:23 PM in response to Maggiepatchesgypsy

From a post by ASC contributor LotusPilot - iPad disabled - Apple Community


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.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple



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


Apr 26, 2023 1:36 AM in response to Maggiepatchesgypsy

You may find this support page to be helpful:

If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support


If the iPad indicates that it is unavailable, or a security lockout has occurred, you not be able to access any data locally stored on the iPad. If the lockout has an associated waiting period with a countdown, you can attempt to enter the correct device Passcode when the countdown expires. Otherwise, you must restore the iPad.



iPadOS 15.2 or later with a forgotten Passcode


Apple has introduced a new 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/unavailable/locked-out, 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:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


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

IPad unavailable

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