iPad Unavailable? Here's How to Fix this Error

Do you see the "iPad Unavailable" message popup on your screen and are you concerned that your iPad will never work again? This is a common problem that has several solutions. In this guide, we will share the most effective solutions to fix iPad Unavailable isue. But before we do that, let's take a closer look at what this message means.

What Does "iPad Unavailable" Mean?

The message "iPad Unavailable" appears on the screen if you enter the wrong passcode multiple times. This often indicates that the device is locked for a specific duration, after which you can try entering the passcode again.

Before iPadOS 15.2, this screen displayed "iPad Disabled." Apple replaced it with "iPad Unavailable," which includes a timer indicating the waiting period before you can attempt to re-enter the passcode. The waiting period increases with the number of failed attempts.

How Many Attempts to Unlock the iPad Unavailable Screen?

The number of incorrect passcode entries determines how long you must wait before trying again. Here's a breakdown of the waiting times based on the number of failed attempts:

• iPad unavailable, try again in 1 minute after 5 incorrect passcode attempts
• iPad unavailable, try again in 5 minutes after 6 incorrect passcode attempts
• iPad unavailable, try again in 15 minutes after 7 incorrect passcode attempts
• iPad unavailable, try again in 1 hour after 8 or 9 incorrect passcode attempts
• iPad unavailable, with no timer after 10 incorrect passcode attempts, indicating that the device is permanently locked and requires a reset.

If you know your passcode, you simply need to wait out the timer. However, if you can't recall the password, try the solutions outlined here to bypass the "iPad Unavailable" screen.

Fix iPad Unavailable Screen Using Unlockit

If you can't remember your passcode or have entered the wrong password too many times, your device may still be unavailable. To solve the issue quickly without using iTunes and iCloud, you can rely on the iOS unlocking tools.

Unlockit iPhone is one of the most comprehensive solutions for this and similar problems, allowing you to bypass the iPad unavailable screen in just a few simple steps. Before we share how it works, let's look at some of its notable features:

• It can fix the iPad Unavailable issue in minutes, even when other solutions have failed.
• It can bypass all types of screen locks, including 4-digit passcode, 6-digit passcode, Touch ID and Face ID, without requiring the Apple ID.
• It can remove an Apple ID from an iOS device without password, bypass MDM restrictions, and remove Screen Time passcode without data loss.
• It is fully compatible with all iPad models and all versions of iPadOS.

Here's how Unlockit works:

Step 1: Download and install the program on your computer. Open it and click on the "Unlock Screen Passcode" button.

Step 2: Connect the iPad to the computer using a USB cable.

Step 3: Once the program detects the connected device, you will be prompted to download the latest firmware. Click the "Download" button to start the download.

Step 4: Once the download is complete, click the "Remove" button and Unlockit will begin the passcode removal process. Keep the device connected to the computer until the process is complete.

Fix iPad Unavailable Screen via Erase iPad Option

If your iPad is running iPadOS 15.2 or later, you may be able to erase the iPad directly from the "iPad Unavailable" screen, thereby unlocking the device without needing to connect it to a computer.

This method works only if the iPad is connected to a network and you know the Apple ID and password associated with it.

Here's how to use this method to unlock the iPad:

Step 1: On the "iPad Unavailable" screen, locate the "Erase iPad" option and tap on it.

Step 2: Tap "Erase iPad" again.

Step 3: Enter your Apple ID and password, and the device will be unlocked.

Fix iPad Unavailable Screen via the Old Passcode

If your iPad is running iPadOS 17 or later and you recently changed the passcode (typically less than 72 hours ago), you can use the device's old passcode to sign in temporarily and change the passcode immediately, according to Apple.

Step 1: Once you see the "iPad Unavailable" screen, tap on the "Forgot Passcode" option in the bottom corner.

Step 2: Tap "Enter Previous Passcode," and enter the device's old passcode and follow the instructions to set up a new passcode.

Fix iPad Unavailable Screen Using iTunes/Finder

You can also resolve this issue and unlock your iPad by restoring it via iTunes or Finder. Here's how to use this method:

Step 1: Connect the locked iPad to your computer.

Step 2: On macOS Catalina or later, open Finder. On PC or macOS Mojave and earlier, open iTunes.

Step 3: Follow these steps to put your iPad in recovery mode:

For iPads without a Home Button: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Top button until you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen.

For iPads with a Home Button: Press and hold both the Home and Power buttons simultaneously until you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen.

Step 4: iTunes or Finder will detect the device in recovery mode. Click on "Restore" and follow the instructions to restore the iPad.

Once this is complete, you can set up the device and create a new passcode.

Fix iPad Unavailable Screen Using iCloud

You can also unlock your iPad using iCloud. This is the best method to choose if you don't have the iPad with you, as it can be done remotely. Here's how it works:

Step 1: On any other device, go to iCloud.com/find.

Step 2: Sign in to your iCloud account using your Apple ID and password.

Step 3: Click on the "All Devices" option at the top and select the locked iPad.

Step 4: Select "Erase iPad" and follow the instructions to unlock the device.

Conclusion

All the solutions above are effective in unlocking an iPad that is stuck on the "iPad Unavailable" screen. However, using Unlockit iPhone, connecting the device to iTunes, erasing it from the "iPad Unavailable" page, and using iCloud will all result in data loss if you don't have a recent backup. Among these solutions, we recommend choosing Unlockit iPhone. With this tool, you can unlock your unavailable iPad in a matter of minutes.