iPad is Disabled: 4 Ways to Fix It With or Without iTunes

Problems like 'My iPad is disabled unexpectedly? What can I do?' are common to find in Apple Communities. You may come across the 'iPad is disabled' problem and be unable to access it out of the blue. Actually, this issue is easy to fix with 4 feasible methods. Now, let's walk through the methods below and regain access to a disabled iPad with ease.

Why is My iPad Disabled?

Before we go any further, knowing the cause is the key to fixing an issue. So, you may want to know what the cause of a disabled iPad is and what to do when iPad is disabled in the first place.

What does iPad disabled mean?

Same as why your iPhone is disabled, the reason is simple: it is because you or your naughty children entered the wrong passcode too many times. To protect your privacy and device, iOS will disable your device to prevent someone else from breaking into your iPad.

If your iPad is disabled, you are not able to enter the passcode anymore. Usually, when you enter the incorrect password 1-5 times, everything is fine.

However, the iPad will be disabled and you will need to wait for 1, 5, 15, and 60 minutes respectively if you enter the wrong codes 6, 7, 8, and 9 times.

When it reaches 10 times, your iPad will be disabled forever and the screen shows: "iPad is disabled. Connect to iTunes".

What to do if iPad is disabled?

After entering multiple incorrect passcodes, you'll be prompted that the iPad is disabled. So, if you just get locked out of your iPad in a few minutes, stop trying it out again immediately. I bet you don't expect your iPad to be locked for over 60 minutes or forever.

Instead, you should find ways to recall the correct passcode if possible. Sometimes, the passcode pops into your mind when you are in distractions. Or, you may do as it requires you to connect to iTunes and follow Method 1 to get it fixed. Also, there are 3 other ways for you to consider.

Although it is frustrating and troublesome, we still have methods to undisable the iPad. Follow the instructions below to fix the problem step by step.

Method 1. How to Fix Disabled iPad with iTunes (2 Options)

The official method is to use iTunes to activate your disabled iPad and get access to your device again. However, it has two scenarios based on whether you've synced your iPad with iTunes ever. If so, it will be a smooth trip. If not, your iPad may not be recognized. For more info, let's dive into the following parts.

Directly restore a disabled iPad if you've backed up with iTunes

Using iTunes will be one of the most useful and common ways. To activate your disabled iPad with iTunes, you need a Windows or Mac computer and a USB cable.

You should know that this method only works if you have synced your iPad with iTunes before.

Step 1. Connect your disabled iPad to your computer via a USB cable. And open iTunes.

Step 2. Click the connected device in the upper-right corner. Click on Back Up Now.

Step 3. In your iPad, a prompt will show up and ask you to enter your passcode to start the sync.

If you remember the passcode, then you can enter the code to access your iPad and cancel the backup. If this way doesn't work, continue with the steps.

Step 4. When the backup completes, choose Restore from iTunes Backup in your device.

Step 5. In iTunes, click on Restore Backup and wait till the process finishes.

When the restore completes, the disabled iPad will be enabled and you can type the correct passcode to enter your iPad.

iTunes not recognizing a disabled iPad? Put it into recovery mode!

It is possible that when you connect your iPad to the computer, it shows "iTunes could not connect to this iPad because it is locked with a passcode."

That's because your iPad hasn't been synced with the iTunes before and you need to enter the passcode so that iTunes can recognize the iPad. However, since the iPad is disabled, you need to put the disabled iPad in recovery mode for iTunes to recognize and fix it. Try the steps below:

Step 1. Make sure your iPad is not connected to the computer..

Step 2. Turn off your iPad and connect it to the computer.

For iPad with Face ID:

Press and hold the Top button and volume button until the power off slider shows.

Drag the slider to turn off the iPad. Connect the iPad to the computer via USB cable and meanwhile, hold the Top button in the meantime.

Keep holding it till you see the recovery-mode screen.

For iPad with Home button:

Press and hold the Side button till the power off slider shows. Drag the slider to turn off the device. Connect the iPad to the computer while holding the Home button.

Step 3. Find your device on the computer.

You will see a pop-up window that asks you to choose either Restore or Update. Choose Restore and iTunes will restore the iPad to factory settings, which will remove the disabled screen.

Wait for the process to finish. When it is done, you can set up your device again. But you should be noticed that it will erase all settings and content on your iPad.

Method 2. How to Fix Disabled iPad with iCloud

Sometimes it may be inconvenient for you to get a Mac or Windows PC, which means you cannot connect your iPad to the computer and use iTunes to undisable the iPad. Luckily, we can solve it with iCloud.

iCloud is designed to store your iOS data in the cloud servers. Therefore, it is possible to reset your disabled iPad without a computer. But still, you will need another device that can browse the internet. If your iPad is signed in to iCloud, and the Find My iPad feature was turned on before it is disabled, follow the steps to reset it:

Step 1 Open the browser on your device and go to www.iCloud.com. Then, enter your Apple ID and Password.

Step 2 Go to Find devices and select All Devices in iCloud.

Step 3 Find your iPad and click Erase iPad.

Step 4 Set up your iPad again.

Important:

Your iPad must be signed in with your iCloud account and has Find My iPhone enabled.
Your iPad must connect to the network or it can't be remotely restored.

All done! When your disabled iPad is reset, it will be as good as new.

Method 3. How to Fix Disabled iPad by Force Restart (with Correct Passcode)

As mentioned above, using iTunes to restore your iPad will erase everything on it. Thus, if you have backed up your device, you can restore the data and settings after resetting the iPad. But if you have never backed up your device, you could not save the data. In this case, a hard reset is an alternative way. Now, follow the instructions below to perform a hard reset on your iPad.

First, for iPad with the Home button: Press the Home button and your Lock button. Then, hold them till the iPad turns off and turns back on.

For the iPad without the Home button: Press the volume up and down buttons. Then long-press the Top button.

Second, once you see the blank screen on the iPad, release the buttons.

Third, press the Power button until you see the Apple logo on your screen. It will reset to "iPad is disabled. Try again in 60 minutes." Wait for 60 minutes and make sure this time your password is correct. Otherwise, it will be disabled again.

Method 4. Fix Disabled iPad Without iTunes or iCloud (Ultimate Way)

Apart from the official methods above, you can use Passver iPhone Unlocker to remove a disabled screen and regain access to a disabled iPad. This unlocking expert enjoys a great reputation due to its revolutionary unlocking technology for cracking all types of screen locks on iPhone and iPad at a high success rate.

Better still, it's completely foolproof to use compared to the cumbersome methods above. What you need is to follow the onscreen instructions and get the disabled iPad fixed. To get to know more about it, let's check out what Passver iPhone Unlocker can do for you.

Unlock an iPad without a password for any reason.
Easily remove 4-digit & 6-digit passcodes, Touch ID, and Face ID.
Regain access to a disabled, used, broken, or unresponsive iPad/iPhone.
Remove Apple ID if you forget the password.
Bypass iCloud Activation Lock on iPhone/iPad.
Delete the Screen Time passcode on iPhone/iPad.

Step 1. Download and install Passvers iPhone Unlocker.

Step 2 Enable the program and connect your phone to the computer. And you will see four options. Choose Wipe Passcode and continue. Simply click on the Start button and then Passvers will handle the rest.

Note Remove Apple ID can help you get into the device normally without entering the forgotten Apple ID and passcode.
Screen Time is used to unlock the Screen Time and retrieve the Restrictions passcode. So you can set the password later.

Step 3. The iPad Unlocker software will detect your device type and model automatically. Then, make sure the information is correct and click Start. A prompt will inform you to enter "0000" to confirm the unlocking. After that, the software will begin downloading a suitable firmware package for the device.

Step 4. Just follow the on-screen instruction to finish the whole unlocking process. You will soon be able to reset the screen passcode again after you get into the iPad successfully.

Isn't it really easy to try? Also, if you want to remove Apple ID with Passvers, here are a few things that I should warn you in advance:

First, Passvers iPhone Unlocker is free to download and remember to register before unlocking.

Second, all data can be erased after the unlocking. Make sure you have backed up the important data on iCloud or other devices.

Third, you'd better turn off Find My iPad feature in advance to improve the success rate. If Find My iPad is enabled, you should enter the iCloud passcode to reset the iPad after unlocking.

Fourth, your iPad will be updated to the latest iOS version after unlocking.

Comparison Table: 4 Ways to Fix Disabled iPad

It's topsy-turvy to pick up a preferred method from all the choices, so why not take a break and check out this comparison table for an overall idea? Then, the right choice may come out of the shadow.

	iTunes	iCloud	Hard Reset	Passvers iPhone Unlocker
Enable Find My Feature	×	√	×	×
Correct Passcode	√	√	√	×
Apple ID & Passcode	√	√	×	×
Wipe out All Content	√	√	×	√
Reset All Settings	√	√	×	√
Easy to Follow	Normal	Easy	Easiest	Easiest

Tips: How to Avoid iPad Being Disabled Next Time

Most of the time, your iPad is disabled by unexpected taps on the screen. Therefore, you can consider the following tips to avoid being locked out of a disabled screen again, especially when there are kids around you. Now, let's grasp the ideas here.

Remove Face ID or Touch ID if someone is using your iPad.
Set the passcode to none if kids are having fun with iPad.
Set the Auto-Lock to never if you have to use iPad for a long time.
Turn off the Raise to Wake in Display & Brightness.
Toggle off the Tap to Wake feature in Accessibility > Touch.
Make a regular backup for your iPad using iCloud or iTunes.
Set a Screen Time Passcode to control daily usage.

It's really a big headache to get into trouble with a disabled screen. If you remember the correct passcode, you may wait until the time restriction is over. Or, try the official methods to reset a disabled iPad. However, it's inevitable to lose all the data and settings when it comes to fixing a disabled iPad.

If you cannot recall the correct passcode or want to remove the screen lock out of all reasons, Passver iPhone Unlocker is the pro helper to get access to iPad without a passcode or remove Apple ID without a password. Instead of having a useless iPad to cover in dust, why not have a shot at this unlocking expert?