Locked out of iPad

G'Day Lymm5257!

thats quite annoying! here's what you can do:

the documentation:

If you forgot your iPad passcode, use your Mac or PC to reset it – Apple Support (AU)

Step 1: Turn off your iPad

1. Unplug your iPad from the computer if it's connected.
2. Turn off your iPad using the method for your iPad model:

• If your iPad doesn’t have a Home button: Press and hold one of the volume buttons and the top button at the same time until the power off slider appears.
• If your iPad has a Home button: Press and hold the top button until the power off slider appears.

1. Drag the slider to turn off your iPad, then wait a minute to make sure that it turns off completely.

Step 2: Put your iPad in recovery mode

1. Connect your iPad to your computer using a USB cable.

1. Keep your iPad connected and press the buttons for your iPad model:

• For iPad models without a Home button: Press and quickly release the volume button closest to the top button. Press and quickly release the volume button furthest from the top button. Press and hold the top button.
• For iPad models with Home button: press and hold both the Home and the top (or side) buttons at the same time.

1. Continue to hold the button while the Apple logo appears. Don’t let go of the button until the image of a computer and cable appears.
2. If you see the passcode screen, you need to turn off your iPad and start again.

If you can’t get your iPad to show the recovery mode screen because of issues with your button, you may need a service. Get a service

Step 3: Restore your iPad

1. Locate your iPad in the Finder, iTunes or the Apple Devices app on the computer that it's connected to. (Find out how to find your connected iPad.)
2. Choose Restore when you see the option to Restore or Update. Your computer will download software for your iPad and the restore process will commence. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits the recovery mode screen, let the download finish, then turn off your iPad and start again.

1. Wait for the process to finish. 
2. Disconnect your iPad from the computer

it shouldn't delete anything from your ipad

Hope this helps!!

Cheers Cooper

ps I replied to 5257lymm before which I think is you...

Would this be a forgotten iPad Passcode, or AppleID Password? Perhaps your iPad has been disabled, indicates that it is unavailable, or is Activation Locked? Something else?

Depending upon the issue, use of a computer to recover access might be unavoidable.

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