- You can reset your iPad to its factory settings and erase all the information stored on the device.
- If your iPad has a very serious glitch, or you’re planning on handing it down to a new owner, you should factory reset it first.
- Make sure you back up your iPad’s data before you wipe it.
- After you reset your iPad, you can restore it with your backup to retrieve data.
Your iPad is about as personal as a fingerprint these days, storing everything from work data to bank information in one small device. Whether you’re trying to sell it, protect your information while it’s being repaired, or troubleshoot software problems, you might find yourself needing to completely reset your iPad to factory settings. In this article, we’ll show you how to factory reset your iPad to factory settings without losing your data.
What happens when you reset an iPad to factory settings?
An iPad factory reset:
- Erases all data stored on your iPad, including Face ID and Touch ID data, passcode and passwords, messages, emails, photos, files, media, and more
- Removes all apps, including any installed without your knowledge
- Resets your privacy settings so you aren’t sharing location with any people or apps
- Installs the latest version of iPadOS software (regardless of the previously installed version)
Why should you factory reset your iPad?
you should reset your iPad to factory settings when you are handing it down or selling it. When you give your iPad a factory reset, you protect any sensitive personal data that might be stored on your device.
You also may need to complete a factory reset if your iPad has a very serious glitch.
Also, resetting an iPad to factory settings is a common remedy for problems with “jailbreaking,” which is the process of skirting the security protections Apple has put on the iPadOS in order to seize full control of the device.
A factory reset erases all content and settings. If you want to keep the data that’s already on your iPad before you reset it to factory settings, you will first need to back up your iPad. The process takes just a few seconds and can save you a whole lot of time and stress.
How to back up your iPad
There are a couple of ways you can back up your iPad via Mac and Windows PC, but the easiest way is by using iCloud. To back up your iPad using iCloud:
- Connect your iPad to a Wi-Fi network.
- Go to Settings > [your name], and tap on iCloud.
- Tap on iCloud Backup.
- Tap on Back Up Now. Stay connected to your Wi-Fi network until the process ends
How to factory reset your iPad or iPad Mini
Now that you’ve saved your data, it’s time to reset your iPad to factory settings. Like backing up your iPad, there are two ways to reset your iPad to factory settings: with your Mac or Windows PC, or on your iPad.
To complete a factory reset from your iPad:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- If asked, enter your iPad passcode or Apple Account password.
- Tap Continue to confirm.
- If you have an eSIM, you can choose to erase your eSIM or keep it. If you erase your eSIM, you need to contact your carrier to reactivate your cellular plan.
To complete an iPad factory reset from your Mac or PC:
- 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.
- Connect your device to your computer.
- If a message asks for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen steps.
- Select your device when it appears on your computer.
- Click Restore iPad. If you’re signed into Find My, you need to sign out before you can click Restore.
- Click Restore again to confirm. Your computer erases your device and installs the latest iPadOS software.
After your iPad restores to factory settings, it restarts.
How to factory reset your iPad without the passcode
To factory reset your iPad without passcode, you need to use a computer to put your device in recovery mode. This process deletes your data and settings, including your passcode, allowing you to set up your iPad again. Here are two ways to do it.
How to factory reset your iPad in recovery mode:
- Unplug your iPad from the computer if it’s connected.
- Turn off your iPad using the method for your iPad model:
- If your iPad doesn’t have a Home button: Press and hold one of the volume buttons and the top button at the same time until the power off slider appears.
- If your iPad has a Home button: Press and hold the top button until the power off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off your iPad, then wait a minute to make sure that it turns off completely.
- On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open a Finder window. On a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes. If iTunes is already open, close it, then open it again. On a PC, open the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
- Connect your iPad to your computer using a USB cable.
- Keep your iPad connected and press the buttons for your iPad model:
- For iPad models without a Home button: Press and quickly release the volume button closest to the top button. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button. Press and hold the top button.
- For iPad models with Home button: Press and hold both the Home and the top (or side) buttons at the same time.
- Keep holding the button while the Apple logo appears. Do not release the button until an image of a computer and a cable appears, then let go.
If you see the passcode screen, you need to turn off your iPad and start again.
- Locate your iPad in the Finder, iTunes, or the Apple Devices app on the computer that it’s connected to.
- Choose Restore when you see the option to Restore or Update. Your computer downloads software for your iPad and begins the restore process. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits the recovery mode screen, let the download finish, then turn off your iPad and start again.
- Wait for the process to finish.
- Disconnect your iPad from the computer, then set up and use your iPad.
How to factory reset your iPad using icloud.com:
This method requires you to have Find My set up on your iPad.
- Go to icloud.com/find, then sign in to your Apple Account (if necessary).
Tip: To sign in without entering a two-factor authentication code, click the Find Devices button at the bottom of the window. - Select your iPad below All Devices on the left.
- Click Erase This Device.
- Follow the onscreen instructions.
How to restore your iPad from a backup
After you’ve completed a factory reset, you can restore your information to your iPad from a previous backup using either iCloud or a computer.
How to restore your iPad from iCloud:
- On the Hello screen, tap Set Up Manually.
- Follow the prompts to set up your device until you reach the Apps & Data screen.
- Tap Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Follow the onscreen instructions.
How to restore your iPad with iTunes:
If you have a Mac running macOS Mojave 10.14 or a PC, you can use iTunes to restore your iPad.
- Using USB, connect a newly restored iPad to the computer containing your backup.
- On a Mac (macOS 10.14 or earlier) or a Windows device: Open the iTunes app, click the button resembling an iPad near the top left of the iTunes window, click Summary, then click Restore Backup.
- Choose your backup from the list, then click Continue.
- If your backup is encrypted, you must enter the password before restoring your files and settings.
How to restore your iPad without iTunes:
If you have a Mac running Catalina 10.15 or newer, you can use the Finder to restore your iPad.
- Using USB, connect a newly restored iPad to the computer containing your backup.
- On a Mac (macOS 10.15 or later): In the Finder sidebar, select your iPad, click Trust, then click “Restore from this backup.”
- Choose your backup from the list, then click Continue.
- If your backup is encrypted, you must enter the password before restoring your files and settings.