iOS Reference

Resetting a “Really” Locked iPod

My 3-year-old was able to lock my 14-year-old’s iPod (OS version 4.2.1) to such an extent that it no longer indicated a point in time when it would unlock. It only said that it needed to be connected to iTunes (which in my situation is v12.5.1). I connected it to iTunes, and was told by iTunes that I needed to unlock the device first. ∞ … 

Anyway, here are some instructions that may help you out of a similar spot:

  1. Power down the device.
  2. Hold the sleep/standby and home button simultaneously for 10 seconds.
  3. After those ten seconds, let go of the sleep/standby button, while continuing to hold the home button for another 10 seconds.

By now your device should be ready for a factory reset, prompting you to connect your device to iTunes.