Can I recover an iPad after forgetting the passcode and being locked out?
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I reset my iPad because I planned to sell it, but during a hectic move I set a temporary passcode and later forgot it. After several incorrect attempts, the iPad is now permanently disabled. Since I had already erased it, I don't believe an Apple Account is currently associated with the device. I still have photos of the settings screen and the IMEI from before the reset, but I'm not sure whether those will help. Can I erase and restore the iPad using recovery mode, or would an Apple Store be able to help? I bought the device secondhand several years ago and no longer have the original purchase receipt.
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If the problem is only the forgotten passcode, you can erase and restore the iPad with a computer by putting it into recovery mode. This removes the passcode and lets you set the device up again, though any data not backed up will be lost.
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Recovery mode is the practical next step here. An Apple Account generally isn’t required just to restore a device that is disabled by a passcode. After the restore, the iPad may still ask for the previously linked Apple Account if Activation Lock was enabled, but if Find My was turned off before the reset, you should be able to set it up normally.
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An Apple Store can explain the process, but they usually can’t bypass the passcode or Activation Lock. Proof of purchase may be required for account or ownership issues, and a secondhand purchase without the original receipt can make that difficult. The IMEI and old settings photos may help identify the device, but they typically don’t replace proof of purchase.
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39 notes transcribed: That makes sense. I had assumed recovery mode was useless without an Apple Account, but I’ll try the official restore steps.