If you’re seeing the frustrating iPad Unavailable screen and can’t access your device, you’re not alone. This issue typically occurs after entering the wrong passcode multiple times, whether by mistake or because you’ve forgotten it.
Apple designed this security lockout feature to protect your data and prevent unauthorized access, but it can be frustrating when it locks you out of your own device. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to fix the iPad Unavailable issue and regain access to your device quickly and easily.
Method 1: Wait and Try Again
When you see the iPad Unavailable message, you’ll usually notice a timer showing how long you must wait before you can try entering your passcode again. The timer might show intervals like 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, 8 hours, and so on. If you want to fix the issue without erasing your device or losing any data, it’s best to wait for the countdown to finish. During this waiting period, try to recall your passcode if you forgot it.
Once the countdown finishes, the iPad Unavailable message will go away, and the lock screen will reappear, allowing you to enter your passcode again to regain access.
This method is ideal if know your passcode or can recall it and wish to fix the iPad Unavailable issue without losing any of your data.
Method 2: Erase iPad from iPad Unavailable Screen
If there is no timer on the iPad Unavailable screen, the only solution is to erase the device. Depending on your iOS version, you may see an option like “Erase iPad” or “Forgot Passcode” on the screen, which lets you quickly erase and reset the unavailable iPad to regain access.
- Tap on the “Erase iPad” or “Forgot Passcode” option on the screen (whichever option appears).
- On the next page, tap on the appropriate button to confirm that you want to erase the iPad.
- Enter the required Apple ID password when prompted, then tap Erase iPad to begin the process.
- Once the device is erased, it will restart and display the Hello screen, allowing you to set it up again.
Method 3: Unlock Unavailable iPad with iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer
If there is no Erase iPad or Forgot Passcode option on the iPad Unavailable screen, iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer is another efficient way to unlock your device. This powerful and reliable iOS unlocking tool helps you quickly unlock your iPhone/iPad that gets locked, disabled, or unavailable due to passcode issues. The process is straightforward and can be completed in a few simple steps:
Step 1: Download and install iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer on your computer, and launch the program immediately after installation.
Step 2: Connect your unavailable iPad to your computer using a compatible USB cable.
Step 3: Select the Unlock Lock Screen option on the iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer.
Step 4: Click Start to confirm that you want to proceed, then click Next to allow the software to detect your iPad.
Step 5: Once your iPad is recognized, click Download to download the required firmware.
Step 6: Once the firmware is downloaded, click Unlock to start unlocking your iPad.
Step 7: Wait for a few minutes for the process to complete. When it’s done, you’ll receive a message confirming that your iPad is now unlocked, and you can start using it again.
Method 4: Fix iPad Unavailable Screen with iTunes or Finder
If you prefer not to use a third-party unlocking tool, you can fix the iPad Unavailable screen using iTunes (for Windows PC) or Finder (for Mac). This method restores your iPad to factory settings, which will erase all content and settings and reinstall the latest version of iOS.
Step 1: Connect your unavailable iPad to your PC or Mac using a compatible USB cable.
Step 2: Put your unavailable iPad into recovery mode:
- For iPad with Home Button: Press and hold the Home and Power buttons simultaneously. Keep holding both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.
- For iPad without Home Button: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button. Afterward, press and hold the Power button until the recovery mode screen appears.
Step 3: Open iTunes on your PC or Finder if you are on a Mac. The program will automatically detect your iPad and prompt you with options to either restoreorupdate the device.
Step 4: Click the Restore button. iTunes or Finder will download the latest firmware for your iPad and begin the restore process, which can take 15 to 30 minutes.
Step 5:Once finished, your iPad will restart and display the Hello screen, signaling that your device is now unlocked and ready for setup.
In some cases, the restore process may not work and you’ll have to move on to another method.
Method 5: Fix iPad Unavailable screen with iPhone
If you have an iPhone that is linked to the same Apple ID as your iPad, you can use the Find My app to remotely erase your iPad to get out of unavailable mode.
- Open the Find My iPhone app on your iPhone.
- Locate and select your iPad from the list of devices.
- Tap on Erase This Device and follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the action.
- Once your iPad is erased, set it up from scratch and you can use it again.
FAQs on iPad Unavailable
Q: How long can iPad Unavailable last?
A: The duration of the iPad Unavailable message depends on how many incorrect passcode attempts were made. The lockout period can range from 1 minute to several hours, with the time increasing after each consecutive failed attempt. For example, after 7 failed attempts, you may be locked out for 1 hour, and after more attempts, it could extend to 3 hours, 8 hours, or longer.
Q: How to fix iPad Unavailable without losing data?
A: If you remember your passcode, simply wait for the timer to finish, and then enter it to unlock your iPad without losing data. If you have a backup in iCloud or iTunes, you can restore your iPad after erasing it, ensuring no data loss.
Q: How to fix iPad Unavailable without computer?
A: If you know the passcode and see a timer on the “iPad Unavailable” screen, you can simply wait for the timer to expire, then enter the correct passcode to unlock the device. If you need to erase the iPad and don’t have access to a computer, you can use your Apple ID to erase the iPad directly from the “iPad Unavailable” screen, or even use an iPhone if it’s signed in with the same Apple ID.
Q: Why is there no timer on iPad Unavailable?
A: If there is no timer on the iPad “Unavailable” screen, it usually means that the iPad is in a more serious lockdown state due to too many (at least 10) incorrect passcode attempts. No timer often indicates that the device needs to be erased and reset manually.
Q: Why is there no Erase or Forgot Passcode option on iPad Unavailable?
A: If you don’t see the Erase iPad or Forgot Passcode option on the iPad Unavailable screen, it’s likely because Find My iPad is turned off or your device isn’t connected to the internet. In this case, you’ll need to connect your iPad to a computer and reset it using iTunes or iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer.
Conclusion
The “iPad Unavailable” screen can be a frustrating obstacle, but there are multiple ways to fix the issue and regain access to your device. Whether you choose to wait and try again, erase your iPad, or use a third-party unlocking tool like iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer, each method offers a solution depending on your situation.
