A quick way to protecting your iPad with Passcode

Do you have information that is important to you or private on your iPad?

How sad or upset would you feel if your iPad was stolen or lost?

passcode-dialog-box

Certain information can be recovered easily from a backup (will discuss more about this on another post), other information might be stored in the Cloud. The problem is how do you secure the information that’s on your device from falling into the wrong hands… Or at least how do you make it harder to be accessed by strangers?

The iPad operating system (iOS) comes with a Passcode Lock feature that will help you protect your iPad.

Warning: Before you proceed make sure you take note and remember the iPad Passcode you will be using. If you forget your Passcode you will not be able to access your iPad.
That being said, there are ways to get access back to your iPad by using iTunes and restoring iPad data from an existing backup but we won’t be covering those on this post.

Applicable to:
iPad versions: iPad, iPad 2, The new iPad
iOS versions: iOS 5, iOS 6 and up

Activating Passcode Lock

On the Home screen, tap on Settings.

iPad-Settings-icon
iPad Settings icon

iPad-General-Passcode-Lock-Screen-Off

Then tap on Passcode Lock.

Assuming this feature is currently off, you’ll be presented with the following Passcode Lock screen.

iPad-Passcode-Lock-Screen

To activate Passcode Lock, tap on “Turn Passcode On”. The Set Passcode dialog box appears.

iPad-Set-Passcode-dialog-box

Enter you four digit Passcode (again make sure you remember it!). When you are done, the same Set Passcode dialog box appears and prompts you to re-enter your password. This is to make sure that you didn’t make a typo while typing your password the first time.

iPad-Re-Enter-Passcode-dialog-box

Now the Passcode feature is active and the Passcode Lock screen looks like this:

iPad-Passcode-Lock-screen-on

Tap on require Passcode.

iPad-Passcode-Lock-Require-Passcode

This setting allows you to choose how much time will it take for the iPad to get locked once you close your cover or put it on standby.

iPad-Require-Passcode

As usual, there’s a trade off. The shorter the times, the more secure but it can be a pain to have to type your Passcode every time you open your iPad. Choose a setting that’s right for you. In my case I usually keep it at 5 minutes.

Tap on “Passcode Lock” on the top center of the screen to go back to the Passcode Lock menu.

iPad-Passcode-Lock-Arrow

Simple Passcode

By default, Simple Passcode is on. This means the iPad will ask you for a four digit Passcode. If you switch simple passcode to off, the iPad will prompt you to enter an alphanumeric (combination of letters and numbers) password. Again there’s a trade off. Longer more complex passwords should be in general more secure but typing a longer password every time you need to access your iPad can be a hassle. I prefer to use a simple passcode.

Picture Frame

If this setting is turned off, the iPad won’t be able to be used as a picture frame while the device is locked.

Erase Data

If the erase data setting is on, the iPad will delete all its data after 10 failed login attempts. If you are afraid your iPad might get lost or stolen and you have confidential and private information you want to protect, this setting is there to help you address those concerns.

Auto-Lock

Your iPad can be configured to sleep automatically after a certain amount of time. It is important to enable this setting together with Passcode Lock because if you leave your iPad unattended without Auto-Lock, the device will not go into standby or sleep mode and it will not get locked. No lock means anybody can access your iPad.

To enable auto-lock, tap the Home button, then settings.

iPad-Settings-icon
iPad Settings icon

Tap on Auto-Lock

iPad-Settings-Auto-Lock

The Auto-Lock screen appears:

iPad-Auto-Lock-Screen

Select and tap on the amount of time that’s convenient for you. In my case I usually use 5 minutes.

Give this settings a try and remember to keep track of your passcode.

Leave a Comment