What do I do if I forgot my iPod's passcode?

[bionicbubble]

ok so when i restore what will happen it will just reset my password??

[Jesse Hollington]

Begin by going to your iTunes preferences (Edit->Preferences->Devices) and making sure you have a current backup. If you do not have a current backup, this process will result in you losing everything on your iPod.

Also ensure that all of your apps, music videos and so forth are already stored in iTunes. These are not backed up separately as you would normally just sync them back on in the same way you originally did. If you do not have your content in iTunes, it will be lost when you restore your iPod touch. Having your application data restored doesn't do you any good unless you actually have the Apps themselves.

The "Restore" option will erase everything on your iPod touch, returning it to factory defaults like it was when you first took it out of the box (hence the need to have a current backup).

Once it reboots following the system restore, iTunes will ask you to either set it up as a new iPod touch or restore from a previous backup. If you choose to restore from a previous backup, iTunes will copy all of your settings and application data back onto your iPod touch from that backup.

After the restore of the backup completes, the iPod touch will reboot again and then begin syncing your applications and media content (movies, videos, etc) from iTunes onto your iPod touch.

The process may take anywhere from 10-15 minutes to an hour or more depending on how much you normally have stored on your iPod touch, since everything will need to be copied back onto your device from iTunes. Once the process completes, your iPod touch will be in the same state it was before, except that there won't be a password on it -- instead it will prompt you to set a new one.

[bionicbubble]

Originally Posted by jhollington

Begin by going to your iTunes preferences (Edit->Preferences->Devices) and making sure you have a current backup. If you do not have a current backup, this process will result in you losing everything on your iPod.

Also ensure that all of your apps, music videos and so forth are already stored in iTunes. These are not backed up separately as you would normally just sync them back on in the same way you originally did. If you do not have your content in iTunes, it will be lost when you restore your iPod touch. Having your application data restored doesn't do you any good unless you actually have the Apps themselves.

The "Restore" option will erase everything on your iPod touch, returning it to factory defaults like it was when you first took it out of the box (hence the need to have a current backup).

Once it reboots following the system restore, iTunes will ask you to either set it up as a new iPod touch or restore from a previous backup. If you choose to restore from a previous backup, iTunes will copy all of your settings and application data back onto your iPod touch from that backup.

After the restore of the backup completes, the iPod touch will reboot again and then begin syncing your applications and media content (movies, videos, etc) from iTunes onto your iPod touch.

The process may take anywhere from 10-15 minutes to an hour or more depending on how much you normally have stored on your iPod touch, since everything will need to be copied back onto your device from iTunes. Once the process completes, your iPod touch will be in the same state it was before, except that there won't be a password on it -- instead it will prompt you to set a new one.

thx dude ive made the decision to restore and i hope it works

[Tazzy]

I have tried to do a reset as suggested here but I don't have internet access at home and my computer has been formatted since I lasted synced my ipod touch.

Is there a way to remove the password without having my laptop connected to the internet?

I don't care about loseing everything as I have it on dvds anyway.

[Jesse Hollington]

Unfortunately, no. Even if you have the firmware package on your computer already, iTunes needs to "phone home" to verify the signature during instalation.

Note that you can restore on just about any computer that has iTunes installed on it, so perhaps you can use a friend's computer or one at school or work.

[Tazzy]

ok thanks.

I will have to try and see if the library has itune on their computer.

just another question though what do you mean by the signature? when it phone's home?
a little confused there


Thanks for your help

[Jesse Hollington]

Every firmware update package has a "signature" on it that is used to verify the package is legitimate. iTunes contacts Apple's servers to check that the signature is still valid.

[ArtVandelay]

The easiest way to avoid these problems in the future is the write the passcode on a piece of paper and put it somewhere. That way, in a worst case scenario, you always know where the piece of paper is and hence the passcode.

Unless of course you forget where you put it!

[3xssweeterthanu]

how do i fix my itouch if its disabled and i already tried connecting it to itunes and it wont allow me to do so

[3xssweeterthanu]

what if i already tried that and it didn't work

[CaliGirl]

Originally Posted by 3xssweeterthanu

how do i fix my itouch if its disabled and i already tried connecting it to itunes and it wont allow me to do so

Originally Posted by 3xssweeterthanu

what if i already tried that and it didn't work

What do you mean it won't allow you to & that you already tried? What happens when you connect it to iTunes? You mean iTunes won't recognize your iPod or do you get an error message when you try to restore it?

[Jackson.1442]

Originally Posted by cshahan

This worked excellent for me,

Plug in your iPod

Go to "My Computer"

Open your iPod's drive (F for me)

Make sure you can see all hidden folders (If you aren't sure go to Tools, Folder Options, View Tab, and check Show)

Open the folder "iPod_Control"

Open the folder called "Device"

Rename the file "_locked" to "_unlocked"


Hope this helped

Are there any mac instructions?

[Jesse Hollington]

To be clear, these instructions are for traditional iPod models only and would not work on the iPod touch (or iPhone/iPad).

If you're using an iPod nano or iPod classic, you can do something similar on the Mac via Finder, although it's not as easy to show the hidden iPod_Control folder. You can try using the "Go To Folder" menu in Finder, or open Terminal and navigate in to the iPod_Control folder from there. The full path on a Mac will be "/Volumes/(your iPod name)/iPod_Control"

[CANTBEASKED]

All you have to do is plug it into your computer it should say well whatever your ipods called, right click it and click format 100% guarenteed really simple

[keithnyc]

Originally Posted by jhollington

The iPod touch should prompt you for the passcode when you turn it on, so I'm not really sure how you could miss knowing how to enter it...

My thought exactly.