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iPad Unavailable? Here's how to bypass iPad lock screen to get in
Your iPad gets stuck on the unavailable lock screen if you enter several wrong passcodes. Here's a step-by-step guide to bypass the iPad Unavailable screen and take access back.
An iPad will be unavailable if it receives incorrect passcodes multiple times. Unfortunately, to bypass iPad unavailable lock screen, you have to erase the device to regain the access.
The "Forgot Passcode" option will help you bypass the unavailable screen on iPad using your Apple credentials. However, all local data and settings will be permanently deleted.
If you have a computer with iTunes or Finder installed, you can put your iPad into Recovery Mode and restore it to remove unavailable lock screen.
You can also bypass the iPad Unavailable message with a dedicated unlocking app like Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker, or remotely erase the iPad passcode with iCloud.
Bypassing the iPad Unavailable screen will restore the device to its factory settings and lose everything.
When you wake up your iPad, are you staring blankly at a black screen that coldly says "iPad Unavailable"? Built-in security locks are convenient (when protecting your data from thieves) but the functionality is too often triggered by a toddler smashing keys or an accidental pocket-dial. This error can get you locked out and turn things into unavailable temporarily.
What's worse is that many users reported that there is no longer a passcode re-entering option, only an "iPad unavailable" message left. The good news is that you aren't completely locked out forever. Here are several ways you can take to bypass the unavailable screen on iPad and get back into your device. Simply check them out:
It's important to know that if you forgot your passcode, bypassing the iPad Unavailable lock screen without passcode requires you to perform a full factory reset on the device, which erases all the content and settings, making it totally fresh again.
What is iPad Unavailable
Seeing that "iPad Unavailable" message usually means the passcode was entered incorrectly a few times. Don't worry just yet—if you see a countdown timer, you can wait and try your passcode again. However, if it's been locked completely, or it's presented with "Press Home to Unlock," but nothing changes when you press Home, you need to erase the iPad to get back in even if you remember your passcode.
Use Apple ID to bypass iPad unavailable
Generally, you'll have logged into your Apple account on your iPad during the initial setup, which will make it possible to bypass the unavailable iPad screen with just a few taps. This is a simplified procedure rolled out with iPadOS 15.2 to assist users with this problem.
If your iPad has an active Wi-Fi or cellular connection, you can erase and reset it to bypass "iPad Unavailable" screen without needing a computer by following these steps:
1. Keep entering the incorrect passcode on the lock screen until the Unavailable or Security Lockout screen appears.
2. Look at the bottom corner of the screen:
On iPadOS 17 or later, you will see a "Forgot Passcode?" option.
On iPadOS 15.2 to 16, you will see an "Erase iPad" option.
3. Tap Forgot Passcode? (or Erase iPad).
4. On the next screen, tap Start iPad Reset to confirm that you want to reset the iPad.
5. Enter your Apple ID password. If you have forgotten it, you may need to recover it from Apple iforgot page.
6. Tap Erase iPad once more to permanently delete all data, settings, and the old passcode.
When your iPad restarts with Hello setup screen, you've successfully bypassed the unavailable screen on your iPad. Now, follow the onscreen prompts to reconnect to Wi-Fi, log back into your Apple ID, and set up a brand-new passcode.
If you have an iCloud backup, you will have the option to restore your data during this setup phase.
If you don't have Apple Account logged into the iPad, or if the device isn't connected to the internet, the onscreen reset will not work. Instead, you will need to put the iPad into Recovery Mode by connecting it to the computer. In Recovery mode, you may restore it using a Finder or iTunes to get unavailable screen bypassed.
How to bypass iPad unavailable via Recovery mode:
Turn off the unavailable iPad.
Open iTunes on your Windows PC. Or you'll launch Finder if you have a Mac that's running macOS 10.15 and later.
Connect the device to the computer.
For iPad with Face ID: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Top button.
For iPad with Home button: Press and hold both the Home and the Top buttons at the same time.
The Recovery Mode screen on the iPad.
Keep holding the buttons until an image of a computer and a cable appears, then let go. Your iPad is in Recovery mode now.
iTunes or Finder should recognize your device and display a message asking you either to Update or Restore the locked device. Select Restore option so you can reset and bypass the unavailable iPad.
Restore unavailable iPad to remove the lock screen passcode and get access back.
Remember to keep your iPad connected till the progress bar finishes. The unavailable black screen will get past on your iPad. You can now get into your iPad again and create a new lock screen passcode.
Bypass iPad Unavailable screen with third-party tool
Your iPad says unavailable but no "Forgot Passcode" or "Erase iPad," or it doesn't get into Recovery mode when you connect it to your computer? No frets. There are many of third-party screen unlocking tools available to get your iPad out of the unavailable screen. Amongst them, Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker turns a complex, stressful technical problem into a simple 3-click solution.
Instead of fighting with complex software setups, you simply plug in your iPad, download the proper firmware with one click, and let it handle the rest in under ten minutes.
It is an iOS utility designed to bypass all types of lock screens—including 4/6-digit passcodes, Touch ID, Face ID, and "Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" screens on iPhone/iPad—without requiring technical skills. Beyond standard lock removal, the software can strip forgotten Apple IDs, skip corporate MDM remote management profiles, and remove Screen Time restrictions without data loss.
Here're steps to bypass iPad unavailable screen.
1. After installation, open iPhone Unlocker on your PC or Mac.
2. Choose Unlock iOS Screen from the main interface, and connect your iPad.
3. If the software doesn't recognize your iPad, follow the on-screen prompts to manually force it into Recovery Mode using the physical buttons (Power and Home/Volume buttons depending on your model).
4. Upon connected, confirm your iPad model and click Start Now button to begin downloading appropriate iPadOS firmware for your device.
The package is usually several gigabytes, so this may take a few minutes.
5. When the download finishes, click the OK button to confirm. This will start removing the iPad Unavailable screen from your locked device.
Keep your iPad completely stable and connected during this phase. When the screen displays "Unlocked iOS Screen Successfully," your iPad will reboot to the initial Hello setup screen. You can now set it up as new or restore a backup from computer or iCloud.
The process is fairly simple, just run through the onscreen prompts. It takes only a few clicks to bypass the unavailable iPad and unlock it when you've forgotten the screen passcode.
If you don't have a computer, you still have option to bypass and iPad with unavailable lock screen. As long as the iPad is connected to the internet and Find My is enabled already (it's in ON position by default), you can log into iCloud webpage and perform a remote reset. This can be done through an iPhone or an Android device.
Follow these steps to bypass iPad unavailable error via iCloud.
1. Visit iCloud.com website on your iPhone or other mobile device. If you don't have a mobile device and you can't borrow one, you may go to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for help.
2. Log in with the same Apple ID that you used to set up the iPad.
3. When you're in, select the Find My icon among the options.
4. You should then see a map where you can find all the Apple devices under your Apple ID, including the iPad that's currently unavailable.
5. Tap on My Devices and then select the iPad from the device list.
6. Tap Erase This Device.
7. Follow the remaining prompts to wipe the device and remove the screen that says iPad unavailable. To prevent accidental erasures, you will be prompted to enter your Apple ID password to verify your identity.
Once done, your iPad will restart. Follow the setup screen to rebuild the device as you did for the first time. As the device had Find My turned on, you will still need the original Apple ID and password during the initial setup to pass the Activation Lock screen.
Can I bypass the iPad Unavailable screen without restore if I forget the passcode?
According to Apple official, to ensure the security of your iPad data, the only option you can take to bypass or remove an iPad unavailable screen is to restore the device to its factory defaults. In other words, you'll have to erase all the content and settings to regain access. Fortunately, you can either restore your iPad data from a recent backup, or, download all the data that you've synced with your iCloud.
