If your iPad has become problematic or is barely usable because of how slow it has become, performing a factory restart can help solve the problem. Similarly, if you want to sell the device but don’t want your data falling into the wrong hands, you need to perform a factory reset.
You might need to reset your iPad if it’s disabled, the storage is full, or if you’re selling it. To reset, go to Settings, General, and tap on Transfer or Reset iPad. Now, tap on Erase All Content and Settings. You can also reset the device by connecting it to your Mac, through iTunes.
Knowing how to perform a factory reset correctly can get your iPad back to normal. Let’s see how you can perform a factory reset on an iPad running on iOS 15 and one running on iOS 14 or earlier. We’ll also see how you can reset the iPad using iTunes.
Reasons You Might Need to Factory Reset Your iPad
Factory resetting your iPad can delete all the information, including browsing history, settings, notes, messages, media, contacts, etc. Only the original apps and software pre-installed on the iPad won’t be deleted. And there are a number of cases where this can help.
Getting Rid of it
For instance, if you want to sell, trade, or give away your iPad, it’s better if you perform a factory reset. Otherwise, someone else could access your personal information and use it as leverage against you.
Locked Out
A factory reset can also help if you’ve entered the wrong password too many times and have been locked out of the iPad (the iPad is disabled) or forgot the passcode altogether.
Full Storage
Similarly, if your iPad’s storage is full, you can do a factory reset and delete all the data to reclaim space. Sometimes, you can also fix many problems by performing a factory reset, so if your device isn’t functioning correctly, you know what to do.
How to Reset Your iPad for iOS 15
To factory reset the iPad, you should be connected to the internet and must remember your Apple credentials if Find My iPad is enabled.
Plus, ensure you back up all the vital information on the iPad or save your data somewhere before resetting your device. You don’t need to sign out of the iCloud and App Store since iPadOS 15 automatically does that for you. Then:
- Go to the Settings app and tap on General.
- At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find an option saying Transfer or Reset iPad. Tap on that.
- Now tap on Erase All Content and Settings. If you have a passcode, you’ll be asked to enter that.
- Follow the prompts.
How to Reset Your iPad For iOS 14 and Earlier
The process to factory reset an iPad with iOS 14 slightly differs from the process of performing a factory reset on iPadOS 15. Here’s what you need to do:
- Go to Settings and then to General.
- At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see the Reset option. Tap on it.
- Now tap on Erase All Content and Settings. You’ll be prompted to enter your passcode if you’ve set one up.
- Tap on Erase iPad. Tap on it again to confirm.
- Put in your Apple credentials and tap on Erase on the top-right.
Once you follow through with these steps, all the information on the iPad will be erased, and you’ll see the welcome screen when you switch on a new iPad.
How to Reset With and Without a Home Button
Since a factory reset doesn’t involve using buttons, the process remains the same for an iPad with or without a home button if both are on the same iPadOS. In other words, the process differs according to the OS version and not the model itself.
However, if you reset the iPad using iTunes, the process will vary slightly depending on whether you have an iPad with a home button or without it.
Resetting Your iPad Using iTunes
You can erase all the iPad’s data and restore it to the factory settings if you remember the passcode. But suppose you’ve forgotten the passcode, or your iPad has become disabled because you put in the incorrect passcode numerous times. In that case, you’ll have to reset it with iTunes (or Finder in macOS Catalina onwards).
Apple comes with iTunes pre-installed, but you’ll have to download it yourself if you have a Windows PC. Once you install it, here’s what you should do:
- Open up iTunes and sign in to it. You’ll need your Apple ID credentials to reset the device.
- Start Recovery Mode before you connect the iPad to your computer. This will direct iTunes to erase your iPad.
- Since you’ll have to press and hold a few buttons while connecting the iPad, it’s better to connect the cable to the computer first and then connect the iPad once recovery mode starts.
- If you have an iPad with a home button, press and hold the power button until it brings up the Power Off slider. Slide it to the right to switch off the device. Keep the home button pressed while connecting the iPad to the computer, and only release it when the recovery mode screen comes up.
- If you have an iPad without a home button, press and hold the power and any one of the volume buttons to bring up the Power Off slider. Drag the slider to the right to switch off the iPad. Then connect the iPad to your computer while pressing the top (power) button; release it once the recovery mode screen appears.
- Once the recovery mode screen comes up on your iPad, iTunes will automatically be launched on the computer. You’ll now see the option to update or restore the iPad.
- Click on Restore. This will take a few minutes, and your iPad will be restored.
Other Troubleshooting Tips
To ensure there are no hiccups when performing a factory reset, ensure your iTunes is updated to the latest version and that you have a good internet connection. Also, make sure the iPad has more than 50% battery. If it dies while you’re resetting it, it’ll take longer for the whole process to finish.