iPad is Disabled for 1 Hour How to Fix It

Are you looking for solutions on how to bypass the the iPad is Disabled for 1 hour error alert?

With the widespread use of Touch ID and Face ID, it’s easy to forget your iPad’s lock screen passcode. You might have encountered the frustrating message, “iPad is Disabled[Unavailable], try again in 1 hour.” If you’ve been in that situation, you know how distressing it can be. If you tend to forget your passcode, it’s highly recommended to write it down and store it in a safe place. Forgetting your iPad passcode is not only inconvenient but also risky, as it could result in the loss of all your data. In this article, we’ll provide solutions for unlocking your iPad when it’s disabled.

Why is your iPad saying “iPad is disabled, try again in 1 hour”

In iPadOS 17 or later

The iPad says iPad Unavailable try again in 1 hour after 7 failed passcode attempts in a group.

9 incorrect entries in a row – “iPad is disabled, try again in 1 hour”. or iPad Unavailable, try again in 1 hour.

In iPadOS 16 or later

7 failed passcode attempts in a row, iPad Unavailable, try again in 1 hour.

8 failed tries for “try again in 3 hours”. 9 failed passcode attempts in a row, for “try again in 8 hours“;10 failed passcode attempts in a row, iPad Unavailable/Security Lockout.

Before the last lockout of 10 wrong password attempts, you still have chances to remember and key your passcode correctly. Once you see no timer on the screen, the iPad won’t accept entering a passcode anymore, even if you know the password after that.

How to Unlock iPad is disabled for 1 hour.

Part 1: Unlock your iPad with the Correct Password.

Keep Calm and Recall Your 4-digit or 6-digit Passcode to Bypass the Lock Screen.

When you first see the “iPad is Disabled” message on your iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Mini, or iPad, take a moment to recall your passcode. Breathe deeply in a quiet space, go for a walk, or listen to music to help jog your memory. The quickest way is to ask family members if they happen to know the passcode. Once the timer has run out, enter the correct passcode, and you’ll be able to unlock your iPad and regain access.

Part 2: Reset your iPad with iTunes or Finder via Recovery Mode.

You can reset your iPad without passcodes by putting your iPad in recovery mode.

Recovery mode is effective in troubleshooting the problems of your iPad. Follow these steps to re-enable your iPad.

01. Connect your iPad to your computer with a USB cable.

02. Open iTunes (update it to the latest version) on your computer.

03. Set your iPad to recovery mode.

On your iPad with Face ID (iPad Pro): Press and hold the Top button and either volume button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your device. Connect your device to your computer while holding the Top button. Keep holding the Top button until you see the recovery mode screen.

On your iPad with the Home button(iPad Air, iPad mini or iPad ): Press and hold the Side (or Top) button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your device. Connect your device to your computer while holding the Home button. Keep holding the Home button until you see the recovery mode screen.

04. Click the Restore button when iTunes (Finder) prompted a message. Then click Restore and Update button in the pop-up window.

Wait for a while, when it is completed, you can set up your iPad from a recent backup on iCloud or your computer if there is one. Set up your iPad as a new iPad from scratch if there isn’t any backup.

Part 3: Unlock your Disabled iPad via SD iPad Unlocker(Removing Passcode).

If part 1 & 2 methods are not viable, you can always settle for third-party software like SD iPad Unlocker. We pick this software because it is verified to be effective in unlocking the disabled iPad. This software can unlock your iPad/iPhone passcode, screen passcode, and Apple ID on your PC or Mac computer.

Free download the app and install it on your PC or Mac.

01. Open SD iPad Unlocker and connect your iPad to your computer with a USB cable.

02. Head to Unlock iOS Screen.

03. Confirm your iPad information and Click the Download button. Here you go downloading the firmware. Waiting for a few seconds.

04. Click “OK”  to confirm to wipe your passcode, as it will erase your iPad.

You’re done. Later, you can set up your iPad from a local or cloud backup if you have one. If there is no backup anywhere, you should set up your iPad as new.
SD iPad Unlocker supports all iPad models:

Part 4: Unlock your Disabled iPad via Find My App on iCloud(without Computer).

You can reset and wipe your iPad without passcodes in the method. Even you can erase your iPad without physically accessing it in this way. But more conditions are needed if you apply it.

Check if you have these options enabled: your iPad is connected to Wi-Fi before the lockout. Find My app is enabled on your iPad before it is locked. And You need to know your iCloud ID that is signed into the iPad.

Step 1: Go to iCloud.com and sign in to your same iCloud account as the locked iPad on your computer or your iPhone.(Tap Trust your computer or device when prompted, and enter the two-factor authentication passcode that appeared on your other iOS devices with the same Apple ID when required).

Step 2: Click Find My and then click all devices to locate your iPad.

Step 3: Click Erase iPad. Input your Apple ID passcode if you are required to do so.

Step 4: Confirm Erase in the prompted message.

Afterward, you can set up and enable your iPad again. Likewise, you can restore your iPad from a backup or set up your iPad as new.

Part 5. iPadOS 16 or later: Reset Disabled iPad Using the Erase iPad Option

On iPadOS 15.2 or later, even on iPadOS 16 or later, you can erase it with the Erase iPad option if it’s available.

Enter more wrong passcode attempts until the Erase iPad appears. Tap Erase iPad. Tap Erase iPad and enter your Apple ID and password. It will erase the iPad.

Part 6. Erase the iPad with the Forgot Passcode Option on iPadOS 17 or Later

If your iPad is on iPadOS 17 or later, Apple has updated the Erase option as the Forgot Passcode option when it’s disabled.

Usually, you should see the Forgot Passcode option after four failed passcode attempts if your iPad is Unavailable, with the Find My on, connecting to Wi-Fi or celular data.

Tap Forgot Passcode and then enter your Apple ID passcode to erase your iPad. Later, when you see the welcome screen, you can set up your iPad.

If you want to check the video about the Erase process please refer to the article: How to Erase Unavailable iPhone with the Erase iPhone Option [Video]

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