Tablets like the iPad are a very popular device because of their portability and the multitude of things you can do with it. However, iPads are also a common target for scammers. Apple devices like the iPad are so popular that all of the NYPD’s job is to find lost iPhones and iPads.
While it’s important to keep your eyes on your device at all times, another precaution is to set a password. Using a passcode with iPhone and iPad helps prevent crooks from accessing your data if your device is lost or stolen.
Setting up a passcode consisting of a four-digit code or a more advanced combination of words and numbers is a great way to keep your personal data safe on iPhone. However, there is a disadvantage that is not often mentioned.
Lost iPad Passcode.
If you can’t remember the passcode you set for your iPad, there is no way to recover what the passcode is. While this may sound devastating, that doesn’t mean your iPad is a completely useless shiny piece of metal.
You will not lose your data.
As long as you have previously backed up your device to iTunes or iCloud on your computer, the way to regain access to iPad is not to lose data on your device. It is very important to have a backup beforehand so your data will be resynced to the iPad when the device is restored.
Unfortunately for those who have not completed any backups, the data on the iPad will be deleted in the process.
For those who sync:
For those who have backed up their iPad to a computer before, follow the steps below.
Plug the iPad into a computer with a USB cable and open iTunes. When iTunes installs and recognizes the iPad, select at the top right.
Select on home screen for iPad settings
iPad will start backing up all your photos, apps, and other content on the device. Wait for this backup to finish before proceeding to the next step.
When the backup is complete, tap .
In the next window, select the backup you just created and then let iTunes restore the device. When the restore is complete, all your content will sync to where it was before and you can create a new password.
For Those Out of Sync.
If you’re sure you’ve never synced your iPad with a computer, follow the steps below to regain access to iPad. Only use this as a last resort as you will lose all data on the device.
If you have access to a computer, follow the steps listed above to restore iPad. Since this iPad has not been backed up before, skip to step. This will delete all data on iPad. When the restore is complete, you can create a new password for iPad.
If an error occurs asking for a password before restoring, follow these steps:
1) Disconnect the USB cable from the iPad and leave the other end plugged into the computer.
2) Press and hold the Wake/Sleep button and turn off the device.
3) After the device is turned off, plug the cable back into the socket and wait for the device to turn on.
4) iTunes will recognize the device in Recovery mode. Select it and then Restore iPad.
Remote wipe.
Another tip is to use Find My iPhone to clear data from an iPad. This is especially useful if you’ve lost your iPhone and have important information on it, or if you don’t have a computer with you to restore the iPad.
To use the remote wipe feature, the Find My iPhone app must be installed on the iPad. Go to a web browser and use your Apple ID to sign in to www.iCloud.com. After login, select iPad after Devices installed and click to wipe device remotely.
