How to reset a forgotten iPad or iPhone passcode: Restore your device with iTune

Fix and restore an iPad or iPhone when you've forgotten your passcode

If you're locked out of your iPad or iPhone then don't fret because here's how to reset a forgotten iOS passcode.

If you've forgotten your passcode for your iPhone or iPad, or maybe someone thought it was funny to add one, then we've got you covered. Even if you've put a wrong passcode in six times and are presented with an "iPad is disabled" messages, not all is lost. 

Luckily, Apple has thought about this possibility and made a way for devices to be reset. The key question is have you already synced your iPad or iPhone with iTunes on your computer? We've written a guide for those that have and those of you who haven't. The guide should also work for anyone with an iPod touch.

How to reset a forgotten iPad or iPhone passcode: Already synced with iTunes

Step one
Connect your iPad or iPhone to the PC or Mac that you normally sync with and open iTunes. If iTunes asks you to enter the passcode, use another computer that you have previous synced with. Otherwise, refer our guide below for never synced with iTunes.

Step two
If the device is still disabled, or if iTunes does not automatically sync your device, sync the device with iTunes.

Step three
When the backup and sync is complete, restore your device.

Step four
When the iOS Setup Assistant asks to set up your device, click "Restore from iTunes backup".

Step five
Select your device in iTunes and choose the most recent backup of your device.

How to reset a forgotten iPad or iPhone passcode: Never synced with iTunes

If you see one of following alerts, you need to erase your device.

"iTunes could not connect to the [device] because it is locked with a passcode. You must enter your passcode on the [device] before it can be used with iTunes." Or "You haven't chosen to have [device] trust this computer"

If you have enable Find My iPhone (or iPad), use the Remote Wipe feature to erase the contents of your device. Then where possible, use iCloud to restore the most recent backup and reset the passcode.

Note: To use Find My iPhone, you'll need to have set up a restrictions passcode.

If this doesn't work or you don't have access to Find My iPhone or iCloud then follow these steps.

Step one

Place your device in recovery mode. Find out how to do this in our How to get an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch in and out of recovery mode guide.

Step Two
Click 'ok' on the message from iTunes stating the device is in recovery mode.


Step Three
Now restore your device from iTunes.