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iPad Erase Problem

I am trying to erase an iPad that my child no longer uses. After selecting “erase all content and settings” and entering the device passcode (6 digits) it is asking for the restrictions passcode (4 digits) which my wife and I can’t remember. How do I wipe the iPad if I don’t know the restrictions passcode?

iPad Pro 12.9-inch, 2nd Gen, Wi-Fi

Posted on Mar 20, 2021 8:53 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 20, 2021 9:00 AM

If you have forgotten the ScreenTime passcode (previously known as a Restrictions passcode) one of the two procedures outlined within this link should resolve the problem:

If you forgot your Screen Time passcode - Apple Support


If your iPad is capable of supporting iPadOS 13.x or later, you should update to the most current version before attempting to resolve a forgotten ScreenTime passcode. The most recent iPadOS updates have introduced a new mechanism whereby a forgotten ScreenTime passcode can be reset without wiping the iPad.


To reset a forgotten ScreenTime passcode on older versions of iOS/iPadOS, the iPad must be reset “as new”, losing all locally stored data. In this situation, you’ll not be able to restore your data from an iCloud or iTunes backup - as the forgotten passcode is integral to the backup.


I hope this information is helpful to you in successfully resetting your forgotten passcode.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 20, 2021 9:00 AM in response to MNBuffsFan1

If you have forgotten the ScreenTime passcode (previously known as a Restrictions passcode) one of the two procedures outlined within this link should resolve the problem:

If you forgot your Screen Time passcode - Apple Support


If your iPad is capable of supporting iPadOS 13.x or later, you should update to the most current version before attempting to resolve a forgotten ScreenTime passcode. The most recent iPadOS updates have introduced a new mechanism whereby a forgotten ScreenTime passcode can be reset without wiping the iPad.


To reset a forgotten ScreenTime passcode on older versions of iOS/iPadOS, the iPad must be reset “as new”, losing all locally stored data. In this situation, you’ll not be able to restore your data from an iCloud or iTunes backup - as the forgotten passcode is integral to the backup.


I hope this information is helpful to you in successfully resetting your forgotten passcode.

iPad Erase Problem

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