Is Your iPad Displaying the ‘iPad Unavailable’ Message? Here’s How to Fix It

Are you wondering why your iPad is displaying the “iPad Unavailable” message and not accepting your passcode? It’s likely that the passcode has been entered incorrectly too many times, triggering the device’s security lock.

This is a security feature designed by Apple to prevent unauthorized access. In this article, we’ll explore the "iPad Unavailable" message and provide several solutions to resolve it.

Understanding “iPad Unavailable” Messages

When your iPad displays an “iPad Unavailable” message, it typically results from multiple incorrect passcode entries. If you enter the wrong unlock code five times in succession, the device activates its Security Lock feature.

The duration of this security lock increases with each incorrect attempt: starting at 1 minute and extending to 5, 15, 30, and finally 60 minutes. If incorrect attempts reach 10, the message changes to “iPad unavailable” without a timer, indicating that the device is completely locked.

Under these conditions, remembering and entering the correct passcode may no longer unlock the device.

Try These Few Ways to Fix It

Method 1: Enter the Correct Passcode

This is the straightforward solution. If your device displays the message “iPad Unavailable/Security Lockout, try again in X minutes” on the lock screen, wait until it permits you to attempt entering the passcode again.

Make sure to enter the correct passcode to avoid further waiting times for subsequent attempts.

Method 2: Resolve ‘iPad Unavailable’ Using a Specialized Tool

If your iPad shows “iPad is unavailable” without a timer, or you prefer not to wait for the timer to expire, consider using a dedicated software solution to unlock it.

iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius is a tool designed to remove various types of security locks from iOS and iPadOS devices, including screen lock passwords, MDM restrictions, Screen Time passwords, and Apple IDs. It supports a wide range of Apple devices, such as the latest iPhones, iPads, and iPods.

To use iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius to solve the problem, follow these steps:

1. Download and install iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius on your PC. Launch the software and select the “Unlock Lock Screen” option.



2. Connect your iPad to your computer using a USB cable and click “Next” to proceed.



3. The software will automatically detect your device and prompt you to choose a location to save the firmware package. Click “Download” and wait for the download to complete.



4. Once the firmware is downloaded, click “Unlock” to begin the unlocking process. The software will then immediately resolve the “iPad Unavailable” issue.

Wait for a few minutes, the software will notify you “Unlocked screen successfully“, your iPad will reboot and you can access it and restore data from backup.

Pros: This method has a high success rate for resolving "iPad Unavailable" messages and other passcode-related issues on both iPads and iPhones.

Cons: It requires access to a computer to use (download and install) the software for unlocking the device.

Method 3: Unlock an Unavailable iPad via Erase Option

No computer? No problem. Apple provides a solution for users who have accidentally triggered the iPad’s secure lock mode. The “Erase iPad” option on the iPad unavailable lock screen allows you to unlock your device without a computer.

However, this method will completely erase all content on your device and requires your Apple ID and credentials.

1. Enter the incorrect passcode seven times consecutively until the iPad displays “iPad unavailable", try again in 15 minutes.” At this point, an “Erase iPad” button will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Tap the “Erase iPad” button, then tap it again to confirm that you want to erase all content.



3. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted, and tap “Erase iPad” again to begin the erasure process.

Pros: This method allows you to unlock your iPad without the need for a computer or iTunes.

Cons: It is only effective on certain devices running specific versions of iOS and requires a valid internet connection to work.

Method 4: Erase an Unavailable iPad via iCloud

If the “Find My iPad” feature is enabled on your device, you can use iCloud to erase your iPad and when it’s erased, it’s automatically unlocked.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Visit iCloud.com/find on another device, and log in with your Apple ID associated with the iPad.
2. Click on “Find My” from the dashboard, and you’ll be prompted to re-enter your Apple ID and password for verification.
3. From the “All Devices” list, select the locked iPad, click on “Erase iPad,” confirm the operation, and wait for the process to complete. The iPad will then be unlocked.

Pros: This method does not require any software downloads.

Cons: You must have the Apple ID and password used on the locked iPad to perform this operation.

Method 5: Remove ‘iPad Unavailable’ Message via iTunes

You can also resolve the "iPad Unavailable" issue using iTunes, which does not require internet access, nor does it require your Apple ID and credentials. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Update iTunes on your Windows PC to the latest version, then connect the unavailable iPad to your computer.
2. Put the iPad into Recovery Mode.
3. Once in Recovery Mode, iTunes will automatically detect the iPad. You will be prompted to either “Restore” or “Update” the device. Select “Restore” and wait for the factory reset process to complete.

Pros: This method allows you to unlock an iPad without needing the Apple ID associated with it.

Cons: Entering Recovery Mode can be complex and may be challenging for some users.

Summary

Dealing with an “iPad Unavailable” message can be stressful, especially if you don’t remember your passcode or if the waiting time to retry is too long. So here’s a re-cap, depending on your situation, you can select the most convenient option:

• Direct Passcode Entry: The simplest method, which involves entering the correct passcode after waiting for the designated lockout period to expire.
• Specialized Tool (iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius): Useful for bypassing the lock without a waiting period, particularly if the device is completely locked. However, it requires a computer to operate.
• Erase via iPad Options: A viable option if no computer is available, though it results in the loss of all data on the iPad unless backed up.
• iCloud Erasure: Effective if “Find My iPad” is enabled, allowing remote erasure and unlocking of the iPad. This method also erases all contents on the device.
• iTunes Recovery: A method that doesn’t require internet or Apple ID credentials but involves complicated steps to enter Recovery Mode.

Each method serves different needs and comes with specific requirements and drawbacks. Whether you have immediate access to a computer, whether your device has “Find My iPad” enabled, and whether you know your Apple ID and passcode can all influence your choice of method.

Evaluate your circumstances and choose the approach that best fits your situation to efficiently restore access to your iPad.