Occasionally an iPad may become disabled or "unavailable" either when a person forgot the passcode and enters the wrong one too many times or if an iPad is carried in a backpack and it thinks the passcode was entered incorrectly too many times especially in cases where Bluetooth keyboards are used an not turned off. The easiest way to avoid this from happening is to turn off the keyboard or Bluetooth on the iPad when transporting it.
Important Note: If you get the disabled/unavailable message and you will still have an opportunity to enter a passcode (15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, ...) set the iPad aside (but do not power it off) and email Tech Help. There is a chance we can clear the passcode as long as the iPad is still connected to Wi-Fi.
The following is the procedure to follow when there is no longer a countdown on the disabled message.
Restoring from iCloud Backup after iPad has been disabled.
- Power off the iPad entirely.
- Connect the USB to lightning cable to a computer that has iTunes on it and open iTunes.
- While holding down the home button on the iPad connect it to the cable but do not let go until iTunes recognizes the iPad.
- Once it is recognized release the home button.
- On the computer choose Restore > Restore and Update.
- This will reset the iPad back to factory settings.
- After the iPad has been reset you should be at the initial screen that says “Hello”. Swipe “slide to set up” > English > United States.
- Connect to the school or your home internet Wi-Fi.
- If you get a message that you need to clear an Activation Lock using an email address you don’t recognize let Tech Help know and they will send further instructions.
- Select Enable Location Services > Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Enter your school managed Apple ID and password (same as your school email address/password).
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
- Select the most recent backup you have of the iPad and proceed with the restore.
- Note: It is possible to backup the iPad when it is disabled which will return disabled. So you may have to choose an earlier backup if that is the case.
- Read carefully: There will be two phases to the restore.
- The first will restore various settings, wallpaper, etc. and then the iPad will reboot.
- During this phase you may be prompted to put in your personal Apple ID/password so that the Apps/Books/etc. you have purchased will return.
- The second phase will include a configuration message about “St. Mary’s Academy”, prompt you to put in your Apple ID and password once again and continue the restore.
After this second phase has begun it will start downloading all of your Apps, files, photos, videos, setup your SMA email, etc. This can take several hours depending on the speed of your home network and the amount of information you had backed up to iCloud. We recommend that you just leave it alone for at least an hour before starting to use it once again.
- Once your Apps have completed installing power off your iPad fully for a minute or so. Then power back on and email tech.help@smapdx.org that you need Apps pushed out once again as some of the paid school Apps (Notability, etc.) need to be pushed out a second time to assign the license.
- If you encounter any problems or it doesn’t seem to be restoring correctly, email tech.help@smapdx.org or stop by the Tech Help office (room 108 ¾ next to room 109) and we are happy to assist.
Note: iPad restores on campus have been problematic so in the event you don't have a computer at home we may issue a replacement iPad that is set up with the school Apps. You may then try restoring from backup when you are at home.