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ipad with no previous passcode asks for passcode after update

Hi, just to be clear, there very definitely was no previous passcode on the ipad. It is used by my mother in her 80s and has no sensitive information on it, she uses it to browse the news, other topics and the weather.

The iPad recently updated and I'm presuming to 16.5 but I can't confirm as she lives some way away.

This appears to be a problem shared by many other people, but I have not seen an answer, so trying again. This is NOT a case of forgotten password, so please do not answer to that effect.

I have used IOS for over 10 years and am fully familiar with it.

Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions, but I fear this is a bug in IOS that Apple can't be bothered to fix. Yes, it is totally wise to have a passcode, but there are situations where it is not required or wanted.

iPad (7th generation)

Posted on Jun 11, 2023 6:39 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 11, 2023 6:54 AM

Much of your iPad’s advanced functionality simply won’t work unless a Passcode has been initially set - such as TouchID/FaceID and Keychain stored passwords - and for this reason alone it is almost certain that a Passcode has been previously set, even if the auto-lock function was subsequently disabled.


As documented by Apple in its Security Guide, for devices with TouchID or FaceID enabled, you device Passcode is reportedly required in the following circumstances…


A passcode or password is also required if the device is in any of the following states:

• The device has just been turned on or restarted

• The user has logged out of their Mac account (or hasn’t yet logged in).

• The user hasn’t unlocked their device for more than 48 hours.

• The user hasn’t used their passcode or password to unlock their device for 156 hours (six and a half days), and the user hasn’t used a biometric to unlock their device in

4 hours.

• The device has received a remote lock command

• The user exited power off / Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously for 2 seconds and then pressing Cancel.

• There were five unsuccessful biometric match attempts (though for usability, the device might offer entering a passcode or password instead of using biometrics after a smaller number of failures).

When Face ID with a mask is enabled on an iPhone, it’s available for the next 6.5 hours after one of the following user actions:

• Successful Face ID match attempt (with or without a mask)

• Device passcode validation

• Device unlock with Apple Watch

Any of these actions extends the period by an additional 6.5 hours when performed.



A forgotten/unknown iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device.


You may find this support page to be helpful:

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



iPadOS 15.2 or later with a forgotten/unknown 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, 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 PC (with iTunes 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.


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

https://iforgot.apple.com


More information about recovery of your AppleID and associated Password:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


Similar questions

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 11, 2023 6:54 AM in response to CBH456

Much of your iPad’s advanced functionality simply won’t work unless a Passcode has been initially set - such as TouchID/FaceID and Keychain stored passwords - and for this reason alone it is almost certain that a Passcode has been previously set, even if the auto-lock function was subsequently disabled.


As documented by Apple in its Security Guide, for devices with TouchID or FaceID enabled, you device Passcode is reportedly required in the following circumstances…


A passcode or password is also required if the device is in any of the following states:

• The device has just been turned on or restarted

• The user has logged out of their Mac account (or hasn’t yet logged in).

• The user hasn’t unlocked their device for more than 48 hours.

• The user hasn’t used their passcode or password to unlock their device for 156 hours (six and a half days), and the user hasn’t used a biometric to unlock their device in

4 hours.

• The device has received a remote lock command

• The user exited power off / Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously for 2 seconds and then pressing Cancel.

• There were five unsuccessful biometric match attempts (though for usability, the device might offer entering a passcode or password instead of using biometrics after a smaller number of failures).

When Face ID with a mask is enabled on an iPhone, it’s available for the next 6.5 hours after one of the following user actions:

• Successful Face ID match attempt (with or without a mask)

• Device passcode validation

• Device unlock with Apple Watch

Any of these actions extends the period by an additional 6.5 hours when performed.



A forgotten/unknown iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device.


You may find this support page to be helpful:

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



iPadOS 15.2 or later with a forgotten/unknown 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, 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 PC (with iTunes 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.


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

https://iforgot.apple.com


More information about recovery of your AppleID and associated Password:

If you forgot your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


Jun 11, 2023 7:37 AM in response to LotusPilot

Thanks Lotuspilot, but to be absolutely clear, when I set up my mother’s ipad, I selected the option “Don’t use passcode” when prompted to create one. For her, all the so called advanced options are not required or relevant and were not set up.

There has NEVER been a passcode on her ipad and yes, it is possible to set up an ipad without one.

What seems to have happened here is that after the update, the ipad has ASSUMED there is one.

Thanks anyway, but this appears to be a fairly common problem, but did not happen to me the last time I updated her ipad - it did not ask for a passcode upon restart then.

Jun 11, 2023 7:37 AM in response to Chattanoogan

Thanks Chatanoogan, but definitely not! If you select “Passcode options” when it asks for a passcode when setting it up, you can then select “Don’t use passcode”.

however, as someone who works in IT and security, I would not advise it, unless for an aging relative and you can be sure there’s no sensitive data on it, which I’ve done.

ipad with no previous passcode asks for passcode after update

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