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Hi there,
My grandma locked the iPad a while ago and she cannot recover her photos from it.
Honestly, we don't care if the iPad is gonna be unlocked or not, but she needs her photos from it.
Now, I have a Macbook and tried to connect the iPad to it, but nothing happens after I click Trust this iPad. Is there a way to recover the photos without reseting it?
She still remembers her security answers, the old passcode and everything.
Lucian
iOS/iPadOS is architecturally designed to protect the owners data. Unless the device Passcode can be successfully entered, all locally stored data remains encrypted and beyond reach.
By design, the only copy of the encryption keys necessary to access local data are held within the Secure Enclave - the device security chip. The device Passcode unlocks the Secure Enclave, which in turn releases the encryption keys to the Operating System while the device remains unlocked.
If an incorrect Passcode is repeatedly entered, the Secure Enclave automatically wiped and the device disabled - an operation that erases all stored encryption keys. This is known as a crypto-erase. Once erased, all locally stored data is permanently beyond reach and cannot be recovered.
However, the bona-fide owner can restore their iCloud or iTunes backup to the device - recovering their data. If the owner hasn’t created a backup, all data will have been irretrievably lost.
If photos and other data were synchronised with iCloud, these will be immediately available to the iPad after the iPad has been restored - and in the meantime should be accessible from iCloud using any computer with a web browser:
Accessing data from iCloud, where enabled, obviously requires the appropriate AppleID and associated Password.
As for the locked iPad, you may find this support page to be helpful:
If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support
A forgotten or unknown iPhone/iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device.
iOS/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 iPhone/iPad indicates that it 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
AppleID
You may also need your AppleID and associated password. If these have also been forgotten, they can be recovered here:
To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:
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
iOS/iPadOS is architecturally designed to protect the owners data. Unless the device Passcode can be successfully entered, all locally stored data remains encrypted and beyond reach.
By design, the only copy of the encryption keys necessary to access local data are held within the Secure Enclave - the device security chip. The device Passcode unlocks the Secure Enclave, which in turn releases the encryption keys to the Operating System while the device remains unlocked.
If an incorrect Passcode is repeatedly entered, the Secure Enclave automatically wiped and the device disabled - an operation that erases all stored encryption keys. This is known as a crypto-erase. Once erased, all locally stored data is permanently beyond reach and cannot be recovered.
However, the bona-fide owner can restore their iCloud or iTunes backup to the device - recovering their data. If the owner hasn’t created a backup, all data will have been irretrievably lost.
If photos and other data were synchronised with iCloud, these will be immediately available to the iPad after the iPad has been restored - and in the meantime should be accessible from iCloud using any computer with a web browser:
Accessing data from iCloud, where enabled, obviously requires the appropriate AppleID and associated Password.
As for the locked iPad, you may find this support page to be helpful:
If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support
A forgotten or unknown iPhone/iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device.
iOS/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 iPhone/iPad indicates that it 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
AppleID
You may also need your AppleID and associated password. If these have also been forgotten, they can be recovered here:
To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:
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
No. There isn't any way to recover the data from a disabled or unavailable iPad; its owner is supposed to back that up.
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iPad Air 2 disabled, unlock it from Macbook
