How to recover your iPad if you've forgotten the password

Forgetting the password to your iPad is a huge problem. If you've forgotten your password then you may be unable to access your device at all. Fortunately, if you're prepared, you will likely have other means of accessing your device set up.

Remember: continually guessing your password is not recommended. Apple's security system will lock your device is it thinks you're trying to break in.

Fortunately, there’s still ways of getting into your device even if you don't remember the password. However, getting into the device will require resetting your iPad’s settings. 

Here’s how to recover the iPad if the password is forgotten. 

How to recover an iPad from a forgotten password 

To recover the iPad back from a forgotten password, the password used to lock the iPad must be considered. The recovery process will be different if the iPad is FaceID or Home passcode locked.  

Nevertheless, it’s possible to recover the iPad access for both cases. Follow these steps depending the iPad's lock passcode

FaceID password lock 

1. Assure that the iPad is not connected to a computer. 

1. Hold down the Top button and both volume buttons until a slider appears on the iPad screen. 
2. Drag the slider to turn off the iPad 
3. Connect the iPad to a computer and hold the Top button again to activate Recovery mode 
4. Back up your files on the computer and remove the passcode 
5. Make sure to have iTunes or Finder to locate the iPad on your PC 
6. Choose the iPad and press Restore 
7. The iPad can now be used again 

Home Button passcode lock 

1. Assure that the iPad is not connected to a computer. 
2. Hold the Top button until the slider appears on the iPad screen 
3. Drag the slider to turn off the iPad 
4. Connect the iPad to a computer and hold the Home button again to activate Recovery mode 
5. Back up your files on the computer and remove the passcode 
6. Make sure to have iTunes or Finder to locate the iPad on your PC 
7. Choose the iPad and press Restore 
8. The iPad can now be used again.

Last Resort 

If the solutions above isn’t possible, it’s best to call for Apple Support. Make sure to know your Apple ID and its password to continue with the service. 

Locked password often happens when the usual person using it is gone for a while and hasn’t shared the password with other trusted people. Make sure to keep a record of passwords outside digital gadgets to possibly prevent this problem. 

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