We manage several iPads with JAMF, but they don't have cellular service. If someone forgets the passcode and the iPad has been restarted or the battery has died, Wi‑Fi won't reconnect until the passcode is entered, so JAMF can't bypass the lock screen.
In the past, I could install iTunes on a Windows computer, put an iPad into recovery mode, and restore it to factory settings. I've done this many times, but it has been a couple of years. Now I have two iPads with forgotten passcodes, and neither one is detected when connected to Windows in recovery mode. They don't appear in iTunes or Device Manager; Windows only seems to recognize that they're charging.
I've tried several USB‑C cables, multiple Windows computers, and different computer models. I also tried a USB‑C-to-Ethernet adapter in hopes of getting network access so JAMF could connect, but that didn't help. I have both iTunes and the Apple Devices app installed.
Has something changed with iPad recovery or Windows support? Is there a reliable way to restore these from Windows, or do I really need access to a Mac?
4 Answers
A Mac shouldn’t be inherently required just to erase and redeploy an iPad. iTunes has supported factory restores for years, and the Apple Devices app can also restore compatible devices from Windows. If neither application detects the iPads, the issue is more likely the Apple device driver, recovery-mode procedure, USB port, or cable than a deliberate change requiring macOS.
Some organizations avoid Apple devices in Windows-only environments because unexpected passcode locks can make redeployment more inconvenient. Windows tablets or Android devices enrolled in a tightly managed MDM platform may be easier to wipe and reassign, depending on the organization’s needs.
The newer Apple Devices app for Windows is the replacement for much of iTunes’ device-management functionality, and some iPad models may require it for recovery and restoring. Make sure the app and its Apple drivers are fully updated, then try recovery mode again with a known-good data cable rather than a charge-only cable.
If these iPads have a physical SIM tray, you may be able to insert a SIM card with the PIN requirement disabled. That can provide connectivity after a reboot, allowing the device-management system to communicate without needing Wi‑Fi. Otherwise, Apple Configurator on a Mac is another possible route.
That’s the concern here, although a Windows restore used to work reliably. I’m mainly trying to determine whether the problem is the current Apple software or something specific to these iPads.