A frozen screen or locked iPad are reasons why you may be wondering if you can factory reset your iPad using the physical buttons alone. Unfortunately, performing a factory reset on an iPad is not possible using only the physical buttons, but there are other ways to reset it.
Placing the device in recovery mode is one way to access the settings for a factory reset. The buttons put the iPad in recovery mode, but they are not resetting the iPad. They just put it in recovery mode to access reset settings. The second option is to connect the iPad to a computer.
Utilizing a computer or following the steps after the iPad is in recovery mode are the only other ways you can reset an iPad without using the passcode. Performing a hard reset on an iPad can fix certain bugs causing a frozen screen or the inability to type the passcode.
Why You Can’t Factory Reset an iPad with Just the Buttons
If the iPad screen is frozen or locked because of the wrong passcode being entered several times, the home and volume buttons on an iPad can perform reboots and put the iPad into recovery mode. However, the buttons do not perform a factory reset on their own.
There are two ways to perform the factory reset:
- Using the buttons to put the device in recovery mode.
- Using a computer.
Resetting with the Buttons
The buttons of an iPad function by restarting the iPad when they are held down simultaneously for a certain period. The type of buttons depends on the model of the iPad. For example, the home and top buttons and volume buttons can be used.
The buttons also put the iPad in recovery mode when quickly pressed simultaneously and released.
Depending on the model of the iPad, this combination of buttons varies.
On iPads without a home button, quickly pressing and releasing the increase volume button and decrease volume button in succession the holding the top button puts the iPad in recovery mode.
iPads with the home button can be put into recovery mode by pressing and holding the home and top buttons until the screen shows that the device is in recovery mode.
After the iPad is in recovery mode, you will then have the option to perform a factory reset.
Resetting with a Computer
If using the buttons and accessing the iPad through the passcode are both out of the question, then it’s time to use iTunes on your Mac or PC to perform the factory reset.
To reset an iPad through iTunes, connect the device to your Mac or PC using a USB-C cable (on Amazon) or adapter (on Amazon) and log into your iTunes account. (Make sure it is the latest version.)
From here, you will have the option to restore your iPad.
Because resetting an iPad using only the buttons is impossible, you must use the above methods.
Each method requires different steps and depends on the device’s specs to work correctly because different iPad models have different recovery functions and ways to access recovery mode.
How to Factory Reset Your iPad
As explained above, there are different ways to reset an iPad, either by using the iPad itself or a computer.
If the iPad is accessible through the passcode and is not locked or frozen, the option to perform a factory reset can be found in the settings. Doing this will wipe the iPad and return it to its default settings.
It does not delete your data, but if there are issues like freezing or the screen is not registering the touchscreen, performing a hard reset will fix these glitches.
Besides using the settings, placing the iPad in recovery mode will give you the option to reset the iPad. An iPad can be placed in recovery mode by pressing certain buttons.
To use a computer, the iPad needs to be connected by a cable. By logging into iTunes while the iPad is connected, you will have the option to restore your iPad and perform a hard reset.
How to Factory Reset from the iPad
As mentioned above, you can perform a hard reset by opening the settings. From there:
- Go into General Settings and choose the option on the menu that says Transfer or Reset iPad. Under this option, you will find the button that initiates a factory reset.
- If the iPad is frozen or locked and inaccessible, it is still possible to perform a hard reset. As explained in the previous section, depending on the model of the iPad, pressing the home button and top button simultaneously and holding will initiate recovery mode.
- Otherwise, quickly pressing the Up and Down Volume, followed by the Top button, will put the iPad in Recovery Mode.
- Once the iPad is in Recovery Mode, it will ask to erase or update the iPad. Clicking erase will initiate a factory reset.
How to Factory Reset Using iTunes on Mac
To perform a factory reset on the iPad using a Mac:
- First, log into the iTunes app.
- After logging into your iTunes account, initiate the recovery mode process on the iPad. Then, plug the iPad into your Mac.
- In the iTunes app, you should see an iPad icon in the corner. Clicking on this icon will give you the option to Restore Backup.
- Once you choose your method for backup, you restore your iPad. While the iPad is syncing, maintain its connection to the computer. Afterward, disconnect the iPad.
This method of resetting can be done without iTunes, as well. Just follow the steps above using the Finder app instead of iTunes.