The password is an excellent security feature to keep intruders off your phone. But what happens when you are locked out of your iPad and can’t remember your password? The factory reset may just save the day.
Use a cable to connect your iPad to a computer. Enter the recovery mode by pressing the Top/Home buttons and swiping the Power Off slider. iTunes will launch automatically on your computer. Select Restore. Alternatively, go to icloud.com > Find My iPad > All Devices > iPad and click Erase.
A factory reset will erase all of your iPad’s data, including passwords, and thus allow you access to your device. The techniques discussed in this article apply both if you can’t remember your iPad password and your Apple ID passcode.
How to Factory Reset Your iPad Without a Password
Factory resetting your iPad will wipe out all its data and settings, including passwords. After resetting, you can set up your iPad as a new device.
Using iTunes
Before you begin this process, ensure you have the latest iTunes version installed on your computer. MacBooks come with iTunes pre-installed, so you just need to update it if necessary. If you are using a Windows PC, download the latest version of iTunes from the Microsoft Store.
Also, ensure that you have a strong and reliable internet connection. The process is time sensitive and should take around 15 minutes. If it lags more than this, your phone will automatically exit from recovery mode, and you’ll need to begin afresh.
Now you can start:
- Connect your cable to your computer, but don’t plug in your iPad yet. You’ll do so in the next few steps.
- Open and sign in to your iTunes account on your computer. Enter your Apple ID and password if prompted.
- Once you are in, you can begin the recovery mode. Depending on your iPad model, you’ll need to hold different button combinations.
- For iPads with a Home button, press the Top button until you see the Power Off slider—swipe right to turn off the iPad. Hold the Home button as you connect your iPad to your computer using the cable. Release it when the Recovery Mode screen appears.
- For iPads without Face ID, press the Power and Volume buttons until the Power Off slider appears. Swipe right to turn off your iPad. Continue pressing the Power button as you connect your iPad to your computer using the cable. Release it when the Recovery Mode screen appears.
- iTunes will launch itself automatically on your computer. It will ask you to either Update or Restore your iPad. Choose Restore.
Your computer will download and reinstall the software on the iPad. Once done, you can restore your data from the iPad backup. You can check out our article on how to use recovery mode for a more in-depth guide.
Using iCloud/ Find My App
iCloud also allows you to factory reset your iPad without a password. But unlike iTunes, you don’t necessarily need a computer. You can use any iOS device, provided you are connected to the internet.
For this process to work, you need to have enabled Find My iPad. You should also know the password and username of the Apple ID currently signed into the iPad.
Here’s how to reset your iPad using the Find My App:
- First, go to icloud.com using your computer, tablet, or phone.
- Then, enter your Apple ID and password to sign in.
- Once logged in, Find My iPad will try to locate your device on a map.
- Click on All Devices. It is at the top of the screen if you are using a computer and at the bottom for phones and tablets.
- A list of your Apple devices will appear. Select your iPad.
- Next, click Erase iPad.
- A message will pop up asking whether you want to Erase this iPad—Click Erase to confirm. Enter your Apple ID and password if prompted.
After the reset, you’ll need to sign in again to your iPad. Do so with the same password and ID you used to reset it. You can now set up your iPad as a new device. It will also allow you to restore your most recent backup.
Using a Third-Party App
Tech gurus are constantly working around the clock to make our lives much easier. If the two above methods don’t work out (rarely), or for whatever reasons you don’t want to use them, you can seek the help of a third-party app.
There are lots of apps that can help you unlock your device without a password. Some of the most popular ones include AnyTrans for iOS, EaseUS MobiUnlock, and AnyUnlock.
In this article, we recommend EaseUS MobiUnlock since we’ve used it. It is easy to use and has a straightforward interface.
Here’s how to factory reset your iPad using a third-party app:
- First, download, install and run EaseUS MobiUnlock on your computer.
- Then, connect your iPad to the computer using a cable.
- The Home screen will give you a few options to choose from. Click Unlock Screen Passcode.
- On the next page, click Start to continue.
- Select your Device Model and its System Version. You can also download its latest firmware. When done, click Next.
- In the next window, click Unlock and input the required information. Finally, click Unlock to begin unlocking your iPad. The tool will reset and reboot your device.
EaseUS MobiUnlock is compatible with both Apple and Android devices and will help you fix a disabled phone, unlock, or factory reset a device without a password.
How to Soft Reset Your iPad
When you soft reset your iPad, you restart it without tampering with any of its functionalities. This also means you don’t risk losing any of your data or settings in the process.
Experts highly recommend a soft reset as a universal troubleshooting solution, provided your iPad is responsive.
Here’s how to soft reset an iPad:
- Press and hold the Power button until the Power Off slider appears on the screen.
- Swipe right to reset.
- Now, turn it on again. To do so, press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.
How to Force a Restart On Your iPad
A hard or force restart is a bigger cousin to the soft reset. It comes in handy when your iPad is frozen, its slider doesn’t work, or when it fails to recognize your taps. A force restart will force your iPad to restart and, in turn, flash its memory clean. However, it will NOT erase your data.
Here’s how to hard reset your iPad:
- First, press and hold the Home and Power buttons simultaneously.
- For iPad with Face ID, press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button and then press and hold the Power button.
- Keep holding them even after the iPad turns black and lights up again.
- Only release the buttons when the Apple logo appears.
If you know your password, you should be able to access your iPad. If not, you can use iTunes (as explained above) to gain access to your phone and reset your password.
Factory Resetting iPad in Settings
Once you have unlocked your iPad and still want to factory reset it, you can do so from the settings.
- Go to Settings.
- Select General.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap Reset.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Your iPad will ask whether you want to update your iCloud backup. Tap Backup, Then Erase. It will back up your data. If you have done this already, tap Erase Now.
- Enter your password if prompted, and then tap Erase iPad.
Your iPad will complete the process, shut down and turn itself on again. You have successfully factory reset your iPad.
When to See Contact Apple Support
Check with a professional when you’ve tried everything and your iPad still won’t factory reset. Visit your local Apple Store and let the geniuses at the bar take over. They will help you restore your device and retrieve backed-up data.
The technicians may ask for your iPad’s model number, iOS version, and more details about your issue. All these will help them assist you better.
No Password, No Problem!
Choose the method you’re most comfortable with. Then, the next time you lock yourself out of your iPad and can’t reset your password, you can reset it and get back in without hassle.
Pro Tip: Back up your iPad regularly, so you can access your data if you factory reset your device.