How to Turn Off the Passcode Lock on Your iPad

You can remove your iPad passcode through Settings, but you'll need to know your current passcode or Apple ID password

To disable your iPad passcode, open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), then tap Turn Passcode Off at the bottom of the screen. You'll be asked to enter your current passcode to confirm. Once you do, the passcode lock disappears and your iPad will no longer ask for one when you turn it on or wake it from sleep.

If you've forgotten your passcode, you'll need to use your Apple ID password instead. The iPad will offer this option after you enter an incorrect passcode several times. If you don't remember your Apple ID password either, you'll need to reset your iPad through iCloud or a computer, which erases all data on the device.

Key Takeaways

Removing a passcode requires knowing either your current passcode or your Apple ID password.
The Turn Passcode Off button is at the bottom of the Face ID & Passcode settings screen.
If you've forgotten both your passcode and Apple ID password, you must erase the iPad and set it up again.
Removing your passcode means anyone with physical access to your iPad can unlock it and see all your data.

Steps to disable your passcode when you remember it

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode if you have a newer iPad with face recognition, or Touch ID & Passcode if your model has a fingerprint sensor. On very old iPads without either feature, look for Passcode in the main Settings menu.

At the top of the Face ID & Passcode screen, you'll see a toggle for Face ID or Touch ID (whichever your iPad uses). Below that, scroll all the way down until you see the red button labeled Turn Passcode Off. Tap it. The iPad will ask you to enter your current passcode in a text field. Type it in carefully — you have a limited number of attempts before the iPad locks you out temporarily.

Once you enter the correct passcode, a confirmation message appears saying the passcode has been removed. Your iPad is now unlocked and will not ask for a passcode when you power it on or wake it from sleep. You can verify this by restarting your iPad — it should go straight to the home screen without prompting you.

What to do if you forgot your passcode

After you enter an incorrect passcode six times, the iPad displays a message saying "iPad Unavailable" and shows a timer counting down. After the timer runs out, you can try again. If you enter the wrong passcode 10 times in a row, the iPad locks permanently and you'll see a message telling you to connect to iTunes or a computer running Finder.

Before the iPad locks completely, you should see an option to Use Apple ID or Unlock with Apple ID. Tap this option and enter the Apple ID password associated with your iPad. This password is the one you use to sign into iCloud or the Apple App Store, not the passcode itself. If you enter the correct Apple ID password, the iPad will let you create a new passcode or turn the passcode off entirely.

If you don't remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it through the Apple ID website on another device. Go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID email address, and follow the steps to reset your password. Once you've set a new password, return to your iPad and use it to unlock the device.

Erasing your iPad if you're locked out completely

If you don't know your passcode or your Apple ID password, your only option is to erase the iPad and set it up as new. This removes all data, photos, apps, and settings from the device. You can do this through iCloud if you remember your Apple ID password, or through a computer if you don't.

Using iCloud: On another device, go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Click Find My, select your iPad from the list of devices, and choose Erase iPad. This wipes the device remotely. When you turn on your iPad again, it will ask you to set it up from scratch.

Using a computer: Connect your locked iPad to a Mac or Windows computer with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and click your iPad in the sidebar. On Windows, open iTunes. Both will detect that the iPad is locked and offer a button to restore it. Click Restore and follow the prompts. The computer will download the latest iPad software and install it, erasing everything in the process.

Why you might want to keep your passcode on

Removing your passcode makes your iPad faster to unlock, but it also means anyone who picks up your device can see your email, messages, photos, banking apps, and any other data stored on it. If your iPad is lost or stolen, a thief can access everything without any barrier.

If you live alone and your iPad never leaves your home, the risk may be low. But if you carry it in a bag, use it in public, or share your space with others, keeping a passcode is the standard protection. You can also use Face ID or Touch ID instead of a numeric passcode — these unlock your iPad almost as fast as no passcode at all, but still protect your data from casual access.

Turning passcode back on later

If you disable your passcode and later decide you want it back, the process is simple. Open Settings, go to Face ID & Passcode, and tap Turn Passcode On at the bottom. The iPad will ask you to create a new passcode — you can use a 6-digit number, a custom numeric code, or a custom alphanumeric code with letters and symbols. Choose whichever you prefer and enter it twice to confirm.

You can also set up Face ID or Touch ID as an alternative unlock method. These let you unlock your iPad by looking at it or touching the home button, and they work alongside your passcode as a backup. If you want to use only Face ID or Touch ID without a passcode, that's not possible — iPad requires a passcode as the final security layer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing my passcode delete any of my data?

No. Turning off your passcode only removes the lock screen prompt. All your apps, photos, messages, and settings stay on your iPad exactly as they are. The only way data gets deleted is if you erase the entire device, which is a separate action.

Can I remove my passcode without knowing my Apple ID password?

Not through Settings. If you don't know your passcode or Apple ID password, you must erase your iPad using iCloud or a computer. After erasing, you can set it up without a passcode if you choose.

What's the difference between turning off passcode and disabling Face ID?

Disabling Face ID removes the facial recognition unlock, but your passcode stays active. Turning off passcode removes the lock entirely. You can have Face ID without a passcode, but you cannot have a passcode without some unlock method.

If I remove my passcode, can I add it back later?

Yes. Open Settings, go to Face ID & Passcode, and tap Turn Passcode On. You'll create a brand new passcode — it doesn't have to be the same as the old one.

Does removing my passcode affect my Apple ID or iCloud account?

No. Your Apple ID and iCloud account remain unchanged. Removing your iPad passcode only affects how you unlock the physical device.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.