How to lock your iPad

by Ross McKillop on April 3, 2010

iPad

Adding a 4 digit pin code to your iPad will help you keep it secure – especially if it’s lost or stolen. It would be bad enough to lose your iPad – but it would be much worse for the person who finds your iPad to be able to access your personal information (photos, notes, email, calendar etc). This brief tutorial will show you how to secure your iPad by requiring a pin-code to be entered before you can use it.

  1. Start out by selecting Settings from your home screen

    2. ipad home screen settings button

  2. Select General from the left column of the Settings screen, and then Passcode Lock from the right column.


    3. click to enlarge

  3. Tap the Turn Passcode On button.


    4. click to enlarge

  4. You’ll be prompted to enter a 4 digit numerical pin, and then again for confirmation.

  5. If you want an extra level of security, you can turn Erase Data on. Warning: if you enable this feature, all of the data on your iPad will be completely wiped if the incorrect pin is entered 10 times in a row. By default, this setting is disabled.


    6. click to enlarge

  6. Now each time your iPad is turned on, you’ll have to enter the 4 digit pin in order to access any of your content.


    7. click to enlarge

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  • Bryan

    How can you remove the Lock?

  • joe

    How do you secure information in a folder like “Notes” on the IPAD?

  • Kathy Miller

    Is there a way I can lock only the email session of my iPad?? I let colleagues borrow my iPad for internet service on the road but I don’t want them to be able to access my email.
    Thanks!

  • http://www.simplehelp.net Ross McKillop

    Kathy – that’s a great question. Do you use the built in Mail app on your iPad, or some form of web-based mail (eg. gmail, hotmail etc).

  • VS

    How do you remove the photos icon for slideshow on the bottom right??? I’ve locked my iPad but can still access my photos!! That’s what I’m trying to HIDE!! Any apps that hide photos on iPad??

  • KB

    reply to VS, if you are still looking to find out how to remove the photo icon, then here is how, SETTING > General > Passcode Lock > Picture Frame OFF,

  • Thomas

    Is ere an app or a method to put a button on my home screen to lock the iPad?

  • AndyK

    I have the same question as Kathy Miller.. I want to lock my multiple gmail accounts if I lend my iPad to a friend or family member.. Please help!!

  • iman

    if you forget you passcode to your ipad how do you gain access to it

  • llonia

    that is sooo crazy that you can let another use or play with your ipad and they are a tap away from your email and pics!! thats what im trying to friggn hide ..they messed up when they didnt put anything for tht in apps

  • http://www.amdtaufik.com ATs

    I’m looking for “how to lock an icon in ipad2″ and landed here. Its a must ha security feature, still wondering how …

  • Jack

    Is this to same on a i phone 3gs 4 and i phone 4s and i pod touch