How do I enable my disabled iPad?

An iPad will be disabled or indicate that it is unavailable if an incorrect Passcode is entered too many times.

A forgotten or unknown iPhone/iPad passcode cannot be recovered - and neither can it be reset or modified from another device. If you see a waiting period you can wait and try again to input the correct Passcode; otherwise, the iPad must be restored.

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 17 or later with a forgotten Passcode

If you have changed your passcode in iOS/iPadOS 17 and later - and have since forgotten the new Passcode - you may be able to recover access using your previous Passcode. Passcode Reset gives you 72 hours to use your old Passcode to access your device; when you access your device in this way, you must change your passcode again immediately:

Temporarily use your old passcode when you forget your new passcode on iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

If you cannot use the new Passcode Reset feature, you must use another method.

iOS/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 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 more recent Apple Device App) or a Mac computer (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

Apple Devices App (Windows PC):

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9np83lwlpz9k?hl=en-ms&gl=MS

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

Activation Lock

Here are the Apple support pages that outline the Activation Lock - and the only mechanisms by which it can be satisfied:

Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Turn off Activation Lock – Apple Support

As you will discover, unless you are the owner of the AppleID that was last used to activate the device, you’ll not be able to defeat or bypass the Activation Lock. With documentary evidence that you are the original owner (such as sales receipt showing the serial number), Apple may be prepared to assist - otherwise they and nobody here will be able to help you.

If you have the necessary documentation, Apple have introduced a portal though which you may be able to request release of an Activation Lock:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support & start an Activation Lock support request.

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

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

If the message says to connect to iTunes, then please follow the steps outlined below. They can help.

To contact iTunes Support, do this: 

1. Click on this link --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support  

2. Select your country

3. Select: Billing & Subscriptions

4. Select: Subscriptions & Purchases

5. Select: Update payment method

6. Select a chat session or a phone call.

Copied from iTunes support - Apple Community

download iTunes on a computer that runs windows or macOS then

For iPads without a Home button:

1. Connect your iPad to your computer.
2. Press and hold the Top button and the volume up or down button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your device.
3. Hold down the Top button until the recovery mode screen appears—you should see a black screen with an image of a cable connecting to a computer.

For iPads with a Home button:

1. Make sure your iPad is not connected to a computer.
2. Press and hold the Top button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your device.
3. Connect your iPad to your computer while holding down the Home button. Keep holding it until you see the recovery mode screen.

Restore your device

Doing this will erase your iPad, but you can recover your personal files if you've previously synced your device to iTunes.

1. Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes.
2. On a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, open Finder and select your device under Locations. On a PC or Mac running the Mojave operating system or earlier, click the iPad icon in the upper-left corner of your iTunes window.
3. Click Restore from the menu. If this process takes longer than 15 minutes, you'll need to repeat the previous steps to keep your iPad from becoming disabled again.
4. Once the restore is complete, you'll see an option to restore your iPad from a backup or set it up as a new device. If you have a backup saved, select this option. If not, proceed to set it up as new.

You may have to restore the iPad to factory settings.

Refer to Apple document

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings using a computer - Apple Support