Quick answer: to reset an iPad to factory settings, go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPad → Erase All Content and Settings, enter your passcode and Apple ID password, and confirm. The steps are the same for iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad Pro. Locked out? Use Forgot Passcode? on the lock screen or recovery mode on a computer. Selling it? Sign out of your Apple ID first so Activation Lock is off.
Method 1: Reset from Settings
- Open Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPad.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings, then Continue.
- Enter your passcode, then your Apple ID password to turn off Find My and Activation Lock.
- On a cellular iPad with an eSIM, erase the eSIM unless you're moving the plan.
- Confirm. The iPad restarts on the "Hello" screen.
Method 2: Reset an iPad without the passcode
On iPadOS 15.2 or later, connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, enter the wrong passcode until iPad Unavailable or Security Lockout appears. Tap Forgot Passcode? (or Erase iPad on older versions), then Start iPad Reset, and enter your Apple ID password. If the option isn't there, use a computer.
Method 3: Reset with a computer (recovery mode)
- Open Finder on a Mac (macOS Catalina or later), or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on Windows. Connect the iPad with a cable.
- Put the iPad into recovery mode:
- iPad without a Home button: press and quickly release the volume button nearest the top button, then the other volume button, then press and hold the top button until the recovery-mode screen appears.
- iPad with a Home button: press and hold the Home button and the top (or side) button together until the recovery-mode screen appears.
- Choose Restore on the computer.
Activation Lock still applies afterwards: the iPad will ask for the Apple ID it was signed in with.
Method 4: Erase remotely
For a lost iPad, or one with a cracked or unresponsive screen, sign in at iCloud.com/find, choose the iPad from All Devices, select Erase This Device, then Remove This Device.
Reset vs force restart
A force restart only restarts a frozen iPad and deletes nothing. On iPads without a Home button: volume up, volume down, then hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. On iPads with a Home button: hold Home and the top button together. Reset All Settings (Transfer or Reset iPad → Reset) restores default settings but keeps your data.
Before you sell or recycle your iPad
- Back up: Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now, or back up to a computer.
- Unpair accessories: in Settings → Bluetooth, choose Forget This Device for your Apple Pencil and keyboard.
- Sign out of your Apple ID: Settings → [your name] → Sign Out. This turns off Find My iPad and Activation Lock.
- Erase it (Method 1) and remove the SIM on cellular models.
iPad reset FAQs
Does a factory reset delete everything on an iPad?
Yes: apps, photos, accounts and settings are all erased, and the data can't be recovered. Back it up first.
How do I reset an iPad that won't turn on or respond?
Try a force restart first. If it still won't start, use recovery mode with a computer (Method 3), or erase it remotely (Method 4).
Can I reset an iPad without the Apple ID password?
You can erase it with a computer, but Activation Lock will still need the original Apple ID. See how to remove Activation Lock from an iPad.
Get your price on the Sell My iPad page. A cracked or faulty iPad still has value: see sell a broken iPad.
