Resetting your iPad can be useful if you are experiencing performance issues, bugs, or want to wipe your device before selling or giving it away. While iTunes is the standard method for resetting an iPad, you can also reset the device directly on the iPad without needing a computer or iTunes.
What Does Resetting an iPad Do?
Resetting or restoring an iPad essentially erases the device and returns it to factory default settings. This means:
- All apps, photos, music, and other data will be deleted
- The OS will be freshly installed
- Settings will go back to their defaults
Resetting is useful for clearing up performance problems, removing bugs caused by apps or files, or wiping your personal content before selling or gifting the iPad. It gives you a “clean slate” to work from.
How to Hard Reset an iPad without iTunes
There are a couple ways to reset an iPad without iTunes or a computer.
Reset Using Settings App
The easiest way is to use the Settings app on the iPad:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap General
- Scroll down and tap Reset
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings
- Enter your passcode if prompted
- Tap Erase iPad to confirm and reset the device
This will erase all content and settings, leaving you with a factory fresh iPad OS install.
Reset Using Hardware Buttons
You can also reset an iPad by holding certain hardware buttons:
- Turn off the iPad
- Press and hold the Home button
- Without releasing Home, also press and hold the Top button
- Keep holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo appear
This will force your iPad to restart and erase all content and settings in the process.
Before Resetting Your iPad
Here are some things to keep in mind before resetting:
- Back up any data you want to keep. Resetting will erase everything.
- Log out of iCloud and App Store. Sign back in during setup.
- Ensure Find My iPad is turned off. You can’t reset with it on.
- Have your Apple ID and password ready to sign in after resetting.
- Reset any passwords you have associated with Apple services.
Resetting and Restoring iPadOS
There are a couple terms that are helpful to understand when resetting your iPad:
- Reset – Erases all content/data and resets settings, but keeps the current OS
- Restore – Same effect as reset, but also reinstalls the OS
Resetting on the iPad itself using the methods above will reset the device but keep the existing iOS/iPadOS version. Restoring through iTunes also reinstalls the operating system.
After Resetting Your iPad
Once your iPad has been reset, you’ll need to reconfigure it:
- Go through the initial iOS/iPadOS setup prompts
- Connect to a WiFi network
- Sign in with your Apple ID when prompted
- Choose whether to restore an iCloud backup or set up as new iPad
- Enable/configure Find My, Touch ID, Apple Pay as desired
- Download apps and media content you want from App Store
Expect the reset process to take a few minutes, and setup afterwards to take 10-20 minutes depending on if you restore a backup and download apps.
Reasons to Reset an iPad
Some common reasons to reset your iPad include:
- Fixing performance problems or bugs
- Removing your personal content before selling/gifting it
- Lifting any passcodes or restrictions you set
- Removing jailbreak or unsupported modifications
- Resolve issues during operating system update
- Fixing iPad if it stays stuck on Apple logo
- Addressing other unusual issues or crashes
Resetting usually fixes most common software issues with your iPad or gives you a fresh start if handing it to someone else.
Troubleshooting a Failed Reset
Resetting an iPad is typically straightforward, but sometimes things can go wrong. Here are some fixes for potential reset issues:
iPad Won’t Turn on After Reset
- Let it charge for at least 20 minutes first
- Force restart iPad again by holding Home + Top button
- Check for hardware damage that may prevent powering on
- Try connecting to computer and restoring via iTunes
Reset Process Gets Stuck
- Hold power + home for forced restart
- Check internet connection and retry reset
- Connect to iTunes and restore via computer
- Hardware issue may require Apple service
Error Occurs During Reset
- Common error codes include 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 4005
- These indicate hardware issue, damaged components
- Apple hardware service required in such cases
Lost Data After Resetting
- Data is erased by reset, you must restore your backup
- Sign into iCloud after reset to download backup
- If no iCloud backup, data is permanently lost
- This is precisely why proper backups are crucial!
These are some potential issues and fixes for an unsuccessful or problematic iPad reset attempt. Following the proper reset procedures should generally avoid complications.
How to Reset iPad Without Password
If you forgot your iPad’s passcode or it’s locked with a broken screen/button:
- You must connect iPad to computer and force reset via iTunes
- Enter DFU mode by holding Home + Power while connecting to PC
- iTunes will recognize iPad and let you reset without needing the passcode
- This bypasses the passcode and erases data, allowing reset
So with a PC and USB cable you can always reset a locked iPad by using iTunes to force DFU mode. Apple provides this DFU mode specifically to help users reset passcode-locked devices.
Best Practices When Resetting iPad
Here are some recommended best practices when resetting your iPad:
- Backup your data – Essential to avoid permanent data loss
- Sign out of accounts – Like iCloud, App Store, email accounts
- Erase content before selling/gifting – To protect your privacy
- Check Apple account credentials – And reset passwords if needed
- Update iOS before resetting – Ensures clean install of latest OS
- Disable Find My iPad beforehand – Or reset won’t work
Following these best practices will ensure you have your data secured, avoid any account issues, and the reset process goes smoothly.
Resetting iPad Using iTunes on PC/Mac
To reset an iPad using a computer with iTunes installed:
- Install latest iTunes version on Windows PC or Mac
- Connect iPad to computer using USB cable
- Open iTunes and select your iPad
- On the Summary screen click Restore iPad
- Click Restore again to confirm and reset iPad
- Wait for restore process to complete
Using iTunes for reset and restore also applies any necessary OS updates and can fix issues not resolvable directly on the iPad itself. However, an iTunes reset still causes full data loss.
How to Backup iPad Before Reset
Before resetting your iPad, be sure to backup your data either locally or to iCloud. Here are the options:
iCloud Backup
- Ensure iCloud Backup enabled in Settings app
- Connect iPad to WiFi and power to backup automatically
- Or manually trigger backup by going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup
- Shares photos, app data, settings to iCloud for restore
iTunes Backup
- Connect iPad to computer where iTunes is installed
- Within iTunes, select your iPad and go to Summary screen
- Click Back Up Now to manually trigger local iTunes backup
- Saves iPad data and content locally on your computer
Ensuring you have a recent backup before resetting enables you to recover your iPad’s data and settings afterwards. Backing up regularly in general is a best practice to avoid losing your information.
Other Ways to Erase iPad Data
Aside from fully resetting your iPad, there are a couple other methods to selectively or partially erase content and data:
Erase All Content and Settings
- Erases data but keeps iOS/iPadOS version intact
- Accessed under Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings
- Quick way to wipe data before selling or giving away
Delete Specific Apps/Data
- Manually delete apps to free storage space
- Offload apps to only remove temporarily while keeping documents/data
- Manage iCloud storage by removing backed up photos, apps, etc.
- Clean up Messages, Safari history, and other app content
For less severe data removal needs, you can take these targeted approaches instead of fully resetting your iPad. But reset is still best for comprehensive wipe and fresh start.
Reset iPad to Factory Settings without Passcode
If you forgot your iPad’s passcode, you can still reset it to factory settings:
- Power iPad off
- Connect iPad to computer then launch iTunes
- Press and hold Home + Top buttons until iTunes recognizes iPad in recovery mode
- Tap Restore on iTunes summary screen to reset iPad without needing passcode
This factory reset using iTunes in recovery mode erases all data but does not require entering the forgotten passcode. It essentially bypasses the passcode requirement by forcing a reset.
Reset iPad Pro to Factory Settings
Resetting any iPad model, including iPad Pro, works the same way:
- Backup iPad Pro data first
- Go to Settings > General > Reset and choose option
- Erase All Content and Settings resets iPad Pro without updating iOS
- Or restore and update iPad Pro software via iTunes on computer
These standard reset methods work on old and new iPad models alike. The process is universal across all generations of iPad hardware.
Difference Between Resetting and Restoring iPad
The key differences between resetting and restoring an iPad are:
| Reset | Restore |
|---|---|
|
|
So in summary: reset erases the iPad while restore erases and updates iOS. Reset is done on-device while restore uses a PC/Mac.
FAQs About Resetting an iPad
Here are some common questions about resetting an iPad:
Is Resetting iPad Same as Restoring?
No, resetting just erases data and settings while restoring also reinstalls the latest iOS/iPadOS version. Reset can be done directly on the iPad itself while restoring requires a computer with iTunes.
Will iPad Stay on Same iOS Version After Reset?
Yes, using the reset option directly on the iPad keeps the device on the currently installed iOS/iPadOS version. Only restoring via iTunes also updates iOS to the newest release.
Can You Undo Resetting an iPad?
Unfortunately no, there is no way to undo or cancel an iPad reset once started. Allow it to fully complete, then restore your data backup.
Will Resetting Delete App Purchases?
App purchases are tied to your Apple ID so resetting will not delete your app licenses. You can download purchased apps again for free from the App Store. However, saved app data will be erased unless backed up.
Is Factory Reset Bad for iPad?
No, periodically resetting your iPad is considered a good thing. It clears up storage space, removes bugs, and gives you a fresh start improving performance and fixing issues.
Conclusion
Resetting your iPad by erasing all content and settings can solve many technical issues, remove private data before selling/gifting, lift restrictions, and essentially give you a like-new device again. The easiest way is using the Reset options directly on the iPad itself, no computer required. Just be absolutely certain to backup your data first!
