There are many different reasons you may want to erase or restore your device to factory settings. Maybe you have recently gotten a new iPad and want to sell, trade or give away your device. In that case, it is very important to do a factory reset to remove all of your personal information and data from your old device. Factory resets can also be a useful troubleshooting tool.
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If you want to access your iPad, but you can’t remember the passcode, you will have to erase your iPad – which deletes the data and settings, including your passcode. Fortunately for you, you already want to erase it. In order to factory reset your iPad without your passcode, you will need a computer.
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Recovery Mode
We will first outline the steps to get your iPad into recovery mode. See that your computer is on and you are logged in to your (computer) user account. If you are using a PC, you must have iTunes installed. The details for getting your iPad into recovery mode are different depending on if your iPad has Face ID or not.
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iPad with Face ID
- Start with your iPad not connected to the computer.
- Turn off your iPad: Press and hold the top button and either of the volume buttons until you see the slider appear.
- Drag the slider to power off.
- You will use a cable to connect your iPad to the computer. First, connect the cable to the computer.
- Now, while holding the top button on your iPad, connect the cable to your iPad. Keep holding the top button until you see the recovery mode screen on your iPad. Don’t release the button when you see the Apple logo, wait for the recovery screen.
iPad with Home Button
- Start with your iPad not connected to the computer.
- Turn off your iPad: Press and hold the top button until you see the slider appear.
- Drag the slider to power off.
- You will use a cable to connect your iPad to the computer. First, connect the cable to the computer.
- Now, while holding the Home button on your iPad, connect the cable to your iPad. Keep holding the Home button until you see the recovery mode screen on your iPad. Don’t release the button when you see the Apple logo, wait for the recovery screen.
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Restore iPad to Factory Settings
After your iPad is in recovery mode, you can use Finder (or iTunes) to restore it to factory settings.
See also: How To Reset Your Macbook To Factory Settings
- A Finder window (or iTunes if you are using macOS prior to Catalina, or using a PC) will have opened. Select Restore.
- You will be asked if you want to restore to factory settings. Click Restore and Update.
- You may see a window pop-up about a software update. Click Install.
- Click Next.
- Click Agree.
- You will see that your computer is downloading the software for your iPad.
- It may take some time for your computer to download the software. If necessary, click Restore iPad again to initiate the restore process. If your iPad restarts, and hasn’t been restored, see Troubleshooting below.
- After some time, a pop-up will inform you that your iPad has been restored to factory settings, and is restarting. You should leave your iPad connected until it has finished restarting and appears again in the sidebar of Finder or iTunes.
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Troubleshooting
When I recently restored my iPad (6th gen), after the software update was downloaded, my iPad restarted. It had not yet been restored to factory, and was still locked with a passcode. If this happens:
- Disconnect your iPad from your computer.
- Begin the process again, starting with holding the top button (Face ID iPad) or Home button while connecting your iPad.
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