How to put your iPad in recovery mode

The iPad is a great device. Nothing is perfect, though, and sometimes things do go wrong. Here’s how you can enter Recovery Mode to fix your iPad.

Recovery mode can be used to return your iPad to factory settings. During the process your iPad will be wiped and the newest version of iPadOS will be installed on it.

You might want to do this because you are experiencing problems with your iPad and want to wipe it and start again, you might need to wipe an iPad that you don’t have the password for, or you could use Recovery Mode to remove an iPadOS beta. Note that this is not quite the same as wiping your iPad so that you can prepare it for sale, in that case, you need to follow a different process that will remove all your data and unlink the iPad from your Apple account.

Once you have restored your iPad using Recovery mode your iPad will be running the newest full version of iPadOS (i.e. not a beta). You will then be able to restore your iPad settings and apps from an iCloud backup from before the time the troubles started, or before the time you installed the beta.

Note that if you are turning to this option because you have been unable to erase an iPad using the Erase all content and settings option in Settings > General on an iPad check that your iPad is connected to a WiFi network before giving up on that method.

You will need to be connected to a network, either Wi-Fi or via a Sim.

What is Recovery Mode?

Recovery mode is used to repair your iPad following a severe software malfunction. There are two main choices when you put your iPad into Recovery Mode: Update or Restore. They do different things.

Update – Downloads the latest version of iPadOS and attempts to use the update process to repair whatever has gone wrong with iPadOS. This leaves your data intact.
Restore – Redownloads iPadOS, but completely wipes your iPad.

Typically, you’ll want to start with the Update option — there is no point in destroying all of the data on your device unless it is necessary. However, if that fails, you’ll likely be stuck going with the Restore option.

The first thing you need to do to access either the Restore option or the Update option is to put your iPad into recovery mode.

How to put iPad in recovery mode

You will need the Finder on the Mac or iTunes or Apple Devices app on a PC to enter Recovery mode.

Follow these steps to put your iPad into recovery mode:

Connect your iPad to your computer using a USB cable.
Open the Finder on your Mac, or open the Apple Devices app on your PC. If your PC doesn’t have the Apple Devices app, or your Mac is using macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes instead.
Keep your iPad connected and wait until the recovery mode screen appears.
- If your iPad doesn’t have a Home button:
  1. Press and quickly release the volume button closest to the top button.
  2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
  3. Press and hold the top button.
  4. Keep holding the top button until you see the recovery mode screen.

If your iPad has a Home button:

1. Press and hold both the Home and the top button at the same time.

2. When your iPad turns off, release the top button, but keep holding the Home button until you see the recovery mode screen.

Locate your iPad on your computer.
When you see the option to restore or update your iPad on your computer, chooseUpdate. iTunes or Finder will update iPadOS without deleting your apps and data.
If the Update doesn’t fix your problem, your final option is to choose Restore. Restore reinstalls iPadOS and erases all of your data.
After the Restore process completes, set up your iPad.