Ever found yourself staring at your iPad, desperate to access your photos, apps, or important documents, only to realize you're locked out? Perhaps you forgot your passcode, or maybe a mischievous little one entered too many incorrect attempts, disabling your device. Don't worry, you're not alone! This is a surprisingly common predicament, and thankfully, there are several effective ways to get your iPad back to a usable state, even when you're locked out.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods to erase your iPad when locked out, ensuring you can regain control of your device. We'll cover everything from using Apple's official tools to third-party solutions, providing step-by-step instructions for each.
Step 1: Don't Panic! – Assess Your Situation
Before we dive into the technical solutions, let's take a deep breath. It's easy to feel frustrated when locked out of your device, but panicking won't help. Instead, let's calmly assess your situation.
- Do you remember your Apple ID and password? This is crucial for several of the methods we'll discuss. If you don't, try to reset it immediately at
iforgot.apple.com - Is your iPad connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data? Some methods require an internet connection.
- Have you recently backed up your iPad? Erasing your iPad will delete all its data, so a recent backup means you won't lose your precious memories and important files. If you have an iCloud or iTunes backup, you'll be able to restore your data after the erase.
Once you have a clear understanding of your situation, you can choose the most suitable method from the options below.
Step 2: Utilizing Official Apple Methods
Apple provides several built-in mechanisms to help you erase your iPad when locked out, assuming certain conditions are met. These are generally the safest and most reliable options.
Method 2.1: Erase iPad via Find My App (or iCloud.com)
This is arguably the most convenient method if you have another Apple device or access to a computer with internet. Find My allows you to remotely locate, lock, or erase your Apple devices.
What you'll need:
- Another Apple device (iPhone, Mac, another iPad) with the Find My app, or a computer with internet access.
- Your Apple ID and password.
- The locked iPad must be online (connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data).
Step-by-Step Guide:
- On another Apple device: Open the Find My app.
On a computer: Go to
iCloud.com - Once in Find My or iCloud, select "All Devices" from the list.
- Choose your locked iPad from the list of devices.
- You'll see a map showing your iPad's location (if available) and several options. Select "Erase iPad."
- A pop-up will appear, warning you that all data on the iPad will be erased. Read it carefully and then select "Erase" to confirm.
- You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password again for confirmation.
- If your iPad is online, the erase process will begin almost immediately. If it's offline, the erase will commence the next time it connects to the internet.
Once erased, your iPad will restart and show the initial setup screen, just like a new device. You can then set it up from scratch or restore from a backup if you have one.
Method 2.2: Erase iPad via Recovery Mode (and iTunes/Finder)
This method is your go-to if your iPad isn't connected to the internet, or if you can't access Find My for some reason. It involves putting your iPad into "Recovery Mode" and connecting it to a computer with iTunes (for Windows/older macOS) or Finder (for macOS Catalina and later).
What you'll need:
- A computer (Mac or PC) with the latest version of iTunes installed (for Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (for macOS Catalina and later).
- A USB cable to connect your iPad to the computer.
- The locked iPad.
Step-by-Step Guide:
The steps to enter Recovery Mode vary depending on your iPad model.
For iPads with a Home button (e.g., iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4):
- Power off your iPad: Press and hold the Top button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPad.
- Enter Recovery Mode: While still holding the Home button, connect your iPad to your computer using the USB cable. Keep holding the Home button until you see the Recovery Mode screen (a computer icon with a cable pointing to it).
- Release the Home button.
For iPads without a Home button (e.g., iPad Pro, iPad Air 4th Gen and later, iPad mini 6th Gen):
- Power off your iPad: Press and hold either the Top button and one of the Volume buttons until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPad.
- Enter Recovery Mode: Press and hold the Top button. While still holding the Top button, connect your iPad to your computer using the USB cable. Keep holding the Top button until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
- Release the Top button.
Once your iPad is in Recovery Mode:
- On your computer:
- For Mac with macOS Catalina or later: Open Finder.
- For Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier, or PC: Open iTunes.
- Your computer should detect your iPad in Recovery Mode and display a message: "There's a problem with the iPad 'your iPad name' that requires it to be updated or restored."
- Choose the option to "Restore." Do not choose "Update," as that won't erase your device.
- Confirm your decision to restore. iTunes/Finder will then download the necessary software for your iPad and begin the restore process, which includes erasing all data and reinstalling the operating system.
- Wait for the process to complete. Do not disconnect your iPad until it restarts and shows the "Hello" screen. This can take some time, especially if the software download is large.
After the restore, your iPad will be in factory default settings, and you can set it up as new or restore from a backup.
Step 3: Considering Third-Party Tools (Use with Caution)
While Apple's official methods are generally preferred, there are situations where third-party tools might seem appealing, especially if you're facing persistent issues or forget your Apple ID credentials. However, it's crucial to exercise extreme caution when using these tools.
Important Considerations:
- Security Risks: Some third-party tools can be malicious or contain malware. Always download from reputable sources.
- Data Loss: While the goal is to erase the iPad, some unreliable tools might cause further data corruption.
- Warranty Void: Using unauthorized tools could potentially void your Apple warranty.
- Effectiveness Varies: Not all tools are equally effective, and some may not work with the latest iOS versions.
We won't endorse specific third-party tools here due to the inherent risks. If you decide to explore this avenue, research thoroughly, read reviews, and understand the potential consequences before proceeding. Always prioritize official Apple methods first.
Step 4: Setting Up Your Erased iPad
Congratulations! You've successfully erased your locked iPad. Now it's time to set it up.
- "Hello" Screen: Your iPad will restart and display the "Hello" screen in various languages, just like a new device.
- Follow On-Screen Prompts:
- Select your language and region.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
- You'll then be presented with the "Apps & Data" screen. Here, you have three main options:
- Restore from iCloud Backup: If you have an iCloud backup, this is the best option to get your data back. Sign in with your Apple ID and choose the most recent backup.
- Restore from Mac or PC: If you backed up your iPad to iTunes/Finder, connect your iPad to that computer and follow the prompts to restore.
- Don't Transfer Apps & Data: If you want a fresh start, choose this option.
- Move Data from Android: If you're switching from an Android device, you can use this option.
- Set Up Passcode and Face ID/Touch ID: Create a new, memorable passcode. Consider setting up Face ID or Touch ID for quick and secure unlocking.
- Sign in with Apple ID: Sign in with your Apple ID to access iCloud, App Store, and other Apple services.
- Complete Setup: Continue following the remaining prompts to finalize the setup of your iPad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to erasing a locked iPad, with quick answers:
How to erase iPad when locked out without a computer?
You can erase your iPad without a computer by using the Find My app on another Apple device or by logging into iCloud.com on any web browser and initiating a remote erase.
How to erase iPad when locked out if I forgot my Apple ID password?
If you forgot your Apple ID password, you'll need to reset it first at
How to erase iPad when locked out if it's offline?
If your iPad is offline, the Find My method won't work immediately. You'll need to use the Recovery Mode method by connecting your iPad to a computer with iTunes or Finder.
How to erase iPad when locked out without losing data?
Unfortunately, erasing your iPad always results in data loss. The only way to "recover" your data is by restoring it from a recent iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup after the erase is complete.
How to erase iPad when locked out and disabled?
When an iPad is disabled (due to too many incorrect passcode attempts), you must erase it using either the Find My method (if online) or the Recovery Mode method with a computer.
How to erase iPad when locked out if Find My is not enabled?
If Find My was not enabled on your iPad before it got locked, your only option is to use the Recovery Mode method with a computer and iTunes/Finder.
How to erase iPad when locked out and don't have access to the associated Apple ID?
If you don't have access to the associated Apple ID and can't reset the password, you'll have to use the Recovery Mode method. However, after the erase, the iPad might still be activation locked to the original Apple ID. In such cases, you'll need proof of purchase to contact Apple Support for assistance.
How to erase iPad when locked out if the screen is broken?
Even with a broken screen, if the iPad is still functioning internally and connected to Wi-Fi/cellular, you can attempt to erase it using the Find My method. If that fails or it's offline, you'll need to use the Recovery Mode method by connecting it to a computer.
How to erase iPad when locked out for selling or gifting?
To erase your iPad for selling or gifting, you should always perform a factory reset. The best way is to go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings (if you can access the settings). If locked out, use Find My or Recovery Mode, then ensure the device is removed from your Apple ID account via iCloud.com.
How to erase iPad when locked out and it's stuck on the Apple logo?
If your iPad is stuck on the Apple logo when locked out, it often indicates a software issue. In this scenario, the Recovery Mode method is your most likely solution. You'll need to connect it to a computer and perform a "Restore" via iTunes/Finder.
