iPad is disabled, connect to iTunes? 5 ways to fix it

A child tried the code too many times, or you simply forgot it, and now the iPad refuses to let you in. The screen says the iPad is disabled, or Unavailable, and tells you to connect to iTunes or try again later. The honest news is that there is no way to bypass this and keep what is on the iPad. The good news is that there is a clear path back, and if you have a backup you can get most of your data with it. Menu names below follow recent iPadOS versions and vary by version.

Why is my iPad disabled?

iPadOS protects your data by slowing down guesses. After several wrong passcodes the iPad locks you out for a short time, and each further mistake makes the wait longer. The usual timeline on older versions is a one minute lockout after the sixth wrong attempt, then longer ones, until after the tenth the iPad is disabled and asks you to connect to a computer. Newer versions show iPad Unavailable with a timer, and later a Security Lockout screen. The exact numbers can differ by version, and a setting called Erase Data can wipe the iPad after ten failures.

Before you erase: check what you can save

Once the iPad is erased, anything not backed up is gone. Think about where your data may already be. Photos in iCloud Photos, files in iCloud Drive, notes, contacts, and anything synced from Gmail or other accounts will return when you sign in again. A recent iCloud or computer backup brings back apps, layouts and more. To check for a backup, sign in at icloud.com or look at the Backups list on another Apple device. The date of the last backup tells you how much you could lose. Take a moment to confirm you know your Apple Account and password, because you will need them.

If you forgot the Apple Account password too, reset it first with our guide to resetting your Apple Account password. Without it you cannot finish setup.

Method 2: Use a computer in recovery mode

If you do not see Erase iPad, or the iPad has no internet, use a computer. You need a Mac or a Windows PC and a data-capable cable. On a Mac, use Finder. On Windows, use the Apple Devices app. An older PC may use iTunes.

If the download takes longer than 15 minutes, the iPad leaves recovery mode and you must start again. If the iPad hangs on the Apple logo during this, see our guide to an iPad stuck on the Apple logo.

Method 3: Erase the iPad from another device

If the iPad is still signed in to your Apple Account and has Find My turned on, you can erase it remotely. On another device, open the Find My app or go to icloud.com/find, sign in, choose the iPad and tap Erase This Device. This works only if the iPad is online. It removes the passcode and all data, and then you set it up again. It is handy when you have no computer and the Erase iPad option is missing.

Set the iPad up again and restore your data

Our guides to restoring from a backup and factory resetting an iPad have more detail. Afterward, turn on iCloud Backup, or follow how to back up your iPhone or iPad, so this does not cost you data again.

What if I do not know the Apple Account password?

You can still erase the iPad in recovery mode, but you cannot set it up afterward without the Apple Account that was on it, because of Activation Lock. Reset the password at iforgot.apple.com or on a trusted device, then try again. If the iPad was a gift or secondhand and you never had the account, the previous owner has to remove it from their account. Do not pay anyone who promises to “bypass” the lock. These services are usually scams or illegal, and Apple does not offer a bypass.

Buying or selling a used iPad

A used iPad that shows Unavailable, Disabled or an Activation Lock screen is a red flag. Before you pay, ask the seller to erase it and sign out of their Apple Account in front of you. Our guide to buying a used phone lists checks that apply to tablets too.

When the computer will not see the iPad

• Try a different cable and another USB port, plugged straight into the computer.
• Update macOS or Windows, and update the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
• Restart the computer and try recovery mode again, keeping the buttons held.
• Try another computer, or visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider.

How to avoid a disabled iPad next time

Use Face ID or Touch ID so you type the passcode less often, and pick a code you can remember without writing it on the case. Teach children not to try codes on a shared iPad, or give them their own profile or a Guided Access session.Turn on iCloud Backup so a forced erase costs you very little. Keep your Apple Account email and password in a password manager, because you need them after any erase. Add a recovery contact or recovery key to your Apple Account, so you can regain access if you are ever locked out.

What if the iPad is for a child or a classroom?

A school or work iPad may be managed by an organization. If it is disabled, erasing it may remove the management profile or trigger a lock that only the administrator can clear. Ask your IT team before you erase it. For a family iPad, a parent can erase it with the Apple Account that set it up and then restore Screen Time and parental controls afterward.

Quick checklist

• You stopped guessing the passcode.
• You checked what is in iCloud and when your last backup was.
• You used Erase iPad on the lock screen, Find My, or recovery mode with Restore.
• You know your Apple Account and password for Activation Lock.
• You restored from a backup and turned on regular backups.