How To Reset iPad: Factory Reset, Soft Reset & Recovery Mode (2026)

By the DevX mobile testing team. We tested every reset method in this guide on iPad Pro M4, iPad Air M2, iPad 10th gen, and iPad mini 6 running iPadOS 18 and iPadOS 17. We verified soft restart, force restart, factory reset through Settings, Recovery Mode reset, and remote erase via Find My. All steps confirmed working as of March 2026.

Whether your iPad is frozen, running slow, or you’re preparing it for sale, there’s a reset method for every situation. Here’s how to restart, force restart, and factory reset any iPad model.

How To Restart iPad (Soft Reset)

A simple restart fixes most minor issues — slow performance, app glitches, or connectivity problems.

iPad With Face ID (iPad Pro, iPad Air M2, iPad mini 6)

1. Press and hold the Top button and either Volume button simultaneously
2. Drag the “slide to power off” slider
3. Wait 30 seconds
4. Press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears

iPad With Home Button

1. Press and hold the Top button
2. Drag the slider to power off
3. Wait 30 seconds, then press the Top button to restart

Restart From Settings

Go to Settings → General → scroll to bottom → Shut Down → drag the slider.

How To Force Restart iPad (Frozen/Unresponsive)

If your iPad screen is frozen or won’t respond to touch:

iPad Without Home Button (Face ID Models)

1. Press and quickly release Volume Up
2. Press and quickly release Volume Down
3. Press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears (about 10 seconds)
4. Release and wait for the iPad to restart

iPad With Home Button

1. Press and hold the Home button and Top button simultaneously
2. Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears
3. Release both buttons

Force restart does not delete any data — it’s safe to use whenever your iPad is unresponsive.

How To Factory Reset iPad (Erase Everything)

A factory reset erases all data, apps, and settings, returning your iPad to out-of-box condition.

Before You Reset: Back Up

1. iCloud Backup: Settings → tap your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now
2. Computer Backup: Connect to Mac (Finder) or PC (iTunes) → Back Up Now

Method 1: Factory Reset Through Settings

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPad
2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings
3. Tap Continue
4. Enter your iPad passcode
5. Enter your Apple Account password to disable Find My iPad and Activation Lock
6. Tap Erase iPad
7. Wait 5-15 minutes for the process to complete

Method 2: Recovery Mode (Locked/Forgotten Passcode)

If you can’t access Settings because you forgot your passcode:

iPad Without Home Button:

1. Connect iPad to your Mac or PC
2. Press and quickly release Volume Up
3. Press and quickly release Volume Down
4. Press and hold the Top button until the Recovery Mode screen appears (cable icon)
5. On your computer, click Restore in Finder/iTunes

iPad With Home Button:

1. Connect iPad to your Mac or PC
2. Press and hold the Home button and Top button simultaneously
3. Keep holding until the Recovery Mode screen appears
4. On your computer, click Restore

Method 3: Remote Erase via Find My

1. Go to iCloud.com/find
2. Sign in with your Apple Account
3. Select your iPad
4. Click Erase This Device

Reset Settings Only (Keep Your Data)

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPad
2. Tap Reset
3. Choose from:
   • Reset All Settings — Resets Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, notifications, display settings. Keeps all apps and data.
   • Reset Network Settings — Clears saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN configs. Fixes connectivity issues.
   • Reset Keyboard Dictionary — Clears custom autocorrect words.
   • Reset Location & Privacy — Resets app permissions.

After the Reset

Your iPad will show the “Hello” setup screen. You can:

• Restore from iCloud Backup — Select during setup
• Restore from Mac/PC — Connect and choose backup
• Set up as new iPad — Start completely fresh
• Transfer from another iPad — Place old iPad nearby

Preparing iPad for Sale

1. Back up your data
2. Sign out of iCloud: Settings → your name → Sign Out
3. Erase All Content and Settings
4. Remove from your Apple Account at appleid.apple.com

More Apple Device Guides From DevX

• How To Factory Reset iPhone (2026)
• How To Restart iPhone (2026)
• How To Factory Reset MacBook (2026)
• How To Clear Cache on iPhone (2026)
• How To Reset Android Phone (2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my iPad remove the Apple Account lock?

If you reset through Settings, you’ll be asked to enter your Apple Account password, which removes Activation Lock. If you use Recovery Mode without the password, the iPad will still be locked to your Apple Account after the reset.

How do I reset an iPad I forgot the passcode for?

Use Recovery Mode (Method 2 above). Connect the iPad to a computer, enter Recovery Mode using the button combination, and click Restore. This erases the iPad and removes the passcode, but you’ll need the Apple Account password during setup.

Does force restart delete anything?

No. A force restart (hard reset) simply cuts power and reboots. It does not erase any data, apps, or settings. Only a factory reset erases your iPad.

How long does a factory reset take?

Through Settings: 5-15 minutes. Through Recovery Mode: 15-45 minutes (iPadOS download required).

Editorial Staff