To use Recovery Mode on an iPad, you will need a computer with the latest version of iTunes installed. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use iPad Recovery Mode:
- Connect your iPad to your computer using a Lightning cable.
- Open iTunes on your computer. If you have a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, open Finder instead.
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake (Power) button and the Home button (or Volume Down button on iPad models without a Home button) simultaneously.
- Continue holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo appear on the iPad’s screen. Keep holding the buttons even after the Apple logo appears.
- After a few seconds, the iPad screen will display a “Connect to iTunes” symbol. This indicates that the device has entered Recovery Mode.
- On your computer, iTunes or Finder will display a message stating that it has detected an iPad in Recovery Mode. It will offer you the option to Restore or Update the device. Choose the appropriate option based on your needs:
- Restore: This option erases all data on your iPad and reinstalls the latest iOS or iPadOS version available. It is recommended if you’re experiencing significant software issues or if you want to start fresh.
iPad – images: Apple - Update: This option keeps your data intact and installs the latest iOS or iPadOS version available. It is useful if you’re experiencing minor software issues and want to update the iPad without erasing data.
- Restore: This option erases all data on your iPad and reinstalls the latest iOS or iPadOS version available. It is recommended if you’re experiencing significant software issues or if you want to start fresh.
- Click on the “Restore” or “Update” button in iTunes or Finder, and then follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.
- Wait for the process to complete. It may take some time, and your iPad may restart multiple times during the restore/update process.
- Once the process finishes, you can set up your iPad as new or restore it from a previous backup.
Remember that using iPad Recovery Mode erases your iPad’s data if you choose the Restore option. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a recent backup of your device to restore your data afterward.
Before Forcing iPad Recovery Mode
If you’re experiencing issues with your iPad and want to try some troubleshooting steps before resorting to Recovery Mode, here are a few things you can try:
- Restart your iPad: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor software glitches. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake (Power) button until the “slide to power off” slider appears. Slide it to turn off your iPad, then press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again until the Apple logo appears to turn it back on.
- Force restart: If your iPad is frozen or unresponsive, you can force restart it. The steps differ based on the iPad model:
- For iPad models with a Home button: Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake (Power) button and the Home button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
- For iPad models without a Home button: Press and release the Volume Up button quickly, then press and release the Volume Down button quickly. Finally, press and hold the Sleep/Wake (Power) button until the Apple logo appears.
- Update your iPad: Keeping your iPad’s software up to date can often fix bugs and improve performance. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and check if an update is available. If yes, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the update.
- Reset settings: Resetting your iPad’s settings can help resolve issues without erasing your data. Go to Settings > General > Reset and choose “Reset All Settings.” Note that this will reset your preferences and settings, but your data and media will remain intact.
- Restore from backup: If you have a recent backup of your iPad, you can try restoring it to that backup to see if it resolves the problem. Connect your iPad to your computer, open iTunes or Finder, select your iPad, and choose “Restore Backup.” Follow the prompts to select the appropriate backup and initiate the restore process.
If none of these steps resolve your issue, then you can proceed with using Recovery Mode as described in the previous response.
How to Recover Your iPad Without a PC?
Recovering your iPad without a computer can be done by using the iPad’s built-in recovery options. Here’s how you can recover your iPad without a computer:
- Ensure that your iPad has sufficient battery power or connect it to a power source.
- Connect your iPad to a stable and reliable Wi-Fi network. This step is important as it will be necessary to download the required software during the recovery process.
- On your iPad, go to “Settings” and tap on your name at the top. Then, tap on “iCloud” or “Apple ID” depending on your iOS version.
- In the iCloud settings, locate and tap on “Find My” or “Find My iPad.”
- If the “Find My” feature is enabled, you’ll need to turn it off before proceeding with the recovery process. Tap on “Find My iPad” or “Find My Device” and toggle the switch to disable it. You may need to enter your Apple ID password to confirm the action.
- Once Find My is turned off, go back to the main “Settings” screen.
- Tap on “General” and then select “Reset.”
- In the Reset menu, choose the “Erase All Content and Settings” option. This will erase all data on your iPad and restore it to factory settings.
- You will be prompted to enter your passcode (if enabled) and confirm the erasure. Make sure you have backed up any important data before proceeding, as it will be permanently deleted.
- The iPad will now begin the erasure process, and it will restart once the process is complete.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your iPad as a new device.
- During the setup process, you will have the option to restore your iPad from an iCloud backup if you have one available. Choose the appropriate backup and enter your Apple ID and password when prompted.
- Your iPad will start restoring the selected backup from iCloud, and once the process is complete, you should have your data and settings restored.
It’s important to note that recovering an iPad without a computer relies on having an iCloud backup available. If you don’t have a backup or if you’re unable to access the iCloud backup, using a computer with iTunes or Finder would be the recommended method for recovery.
How do I factory reset an iPad without the passcode?
To factory reset an iPad without the passcode, you can use the “Recovery Mode” method. Please note that this process will erase all data on the iPad, and you won’t be able to recover it unless you have a backup. Here’s how to do it:
- Ensure that your iPad has sufficient battery power or connect it to a power source.
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake (Power) button and the Home button (or Volume Down button on iPad models without a Home button) simultaneously.
- Keep holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo appear on the iPad’s screen. Release the buttons when you see the logo.
- After the Apple logo disappears, your iPad will enter Recovery Mode. You should see the “Connect to iTunes” screen.
- Connect your iPad to a computer that has the latest version of iTunes installed. If you have a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, use Finder instead.
- On your computer, iTunes or Finder should recognize the connected iPad in Recovery Mode and display a message prompting you to restore or update the device.
- Choose the “Restore” option. This will erase all data on the iPad and install the latest iOS or iPadOS version.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the restore process. iTunes or Finder will download the necessary software and install it on your iPad.
- Wait for the process to complete. Your iPad may restart multiple times during the restore process.
- Once the restore is finished, you can set up your iPad as new or restore it from a previous backup if you have one available.
By following these steps, you can perform a factory reset on your iPad without the passcode using the Recovery Mode method.
Why is my iPad stuck on the Apple logo?
If your iPad is stuck on the Apple logo and not progressing beyond that point, it indicates that there may be an issue with the software or the startup process. Here are a few steps you can try to resolve the issue:
- Force Restart: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake (Power) button and the Home button (or Volume Down button on iPad models without a Home button) simultaneously until the Apple logo disappears and reappears. Release the buttons and wait to see if the iPad continues past the logo.
- Charge your iPad: Ensure that your iPad has sufficient battery power. Connect it to a power source using the original charging cable and adapter. Leave it to charge for a while, and then try restarting it again.
 – iPad – - Update the software: If your iPad is running an outdated or problematic iOS or iPadOS version, it can cause issues. Connect your iPad to a stable Wi-Fi network and go to “Settings” > “General” > “Software Update” to check if an update is available. If yes, proceed with the update and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Connect to a computer and use iTunes or Finder: If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, try connecting your iPad to a computer that has the latest version of iTunes installed (or Finder on Mac running macOS Catalina or later). Launch iTunes or Finder and follow these steps:
- For iPad models with a Home button: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake (Power) button and the Home button simultaneously until the iPad enters Recovery Mode (displaying the “Connect to iTunes” screen). Release the buttons.
- For iPad models without a Home button: Press and release the Volume Up button quickly, then press and release the Volume Down button quickly. Finally, press and hold the Sleep/Wake (Power) button until the iPad enters Recovery Mode (displaying the “Connect to iTunes” screen). Release the button.
- iTunes or Finder should detect the iPad in Recovery Mode and offer you the option to Restore or Update. Choose the “Update” option first, which will attempt to install the latest software without erasing data. If that doesn’t work, you can choose the “Restore” option to erase all data and restore the iPad to factory settings.
- Follow the on-screen instructions in iTunes or Finder to complete the update or restore process.
If the issue persists and your iPad remains stuck on the Apple logo after trying the above steps, it may be necessary to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance.