How to Force Restart Your iPad (Hard Reset)

A force restart is the quickest way to resolve common iPad problems — including a frozen screen, an unresponsive app, or sluggish performance — without erasing any of your data. It should always be your first step before attempting recovery mode. Most minor software glitches are fixed this way in under a minute.

For iPads Without a Home Button (Face ID Models — iPad Pro and iPad Air 2020 and Later)

  1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
  2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
  3. Press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears, then release. The screen will go black briefly before the logo shows — this is completely normal.

For iPads With a Home Button (iPad, iPad mini, and Older iPad Pro Models)

  1. Press and hold the Home button and the Top (or Side) button at the same time.
  2. Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears, then release.

Your iPad will restart normally. If the problem persists after a force restart, recovery mode is the next step — follow the instructions below.

How to Recover Your iPad Using iTunes or Finder (Recovery Mode)

Recovery mode is the go-to solution when a force restart does not fix the issue, or when your iPad is stuck on the Apple logo, showing a “connect to iTunes” screen, or refusing to turn on altogether. Using iTunes (on Windows or older Macs) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later), recovery mode gives you two choices: reinstall iPadOS while keeping your data intact, or completely erase and restore the device to factory settings.

Step 1: Open iTunes or Finder on Your Computer

  • On Windows or older Mac (macOS Mojave and earlier): Open iTunes. Make sure it is updated to the latest version before proceeding — an outdated version of iTunes may fail to recognise your iPad correctly, causing errors during recovery.
  • On Mac (macOS Catalina and later): Open Finder. iTunes is no longer available on these systems; Finder handles all device management, including iPad recovery, in its place.

Step 2: Put Your iPad into Recovery Mode

Connect your iPad to your computer using a Lightning or USB-C cable, then follow the button sequence for your specific model:

  • Face ID iPads (iPad Pro and iPad Air 2020 and later): Quickly press and release Volume Up, then quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Top button. Keep holding it even after the screen goes black — continue until the recovery mode screen appears (a cable and laptop icon on a dark background).
  • Home Button iPads: Press and hold both the Home button and the Top (or Side) button simultaneously. Keep holding both buttons until the recovery mode screen appears. If the Apple logo appears instead, you held the buttons too long — release and try again.

Once recovery mode is active, iTunes or Finder will automatically detect your iPad and display a prompt with the option to Update or Restore.

Step 3: Choose Update or Restore

When the prompt appears in iTunes or Finder, you have two options:

  • Update — Reinstalls the latest version of iPadOS without erasing your data. Always try this option first. The process typically takes 10–15 minutes and requires an active internet connection to download the software package.
  • Restore — Completely erases your iPad and installs a clean copy of iPadOS. Use this option only if Update fails, or if you want to start completely fresh.

⚠️ Important: Choosing Restore will permanently erase all data on your iPad — including apps, photos, and settings. This cannot be undone. Only proceed with Restore if you have a current backup saved in iCloud or iTunes, or if you are prepared to lose the data on the device.

Step 4: Set Up Your iPad After Recovery

Once the Update or Restore process completes, your iPad will restart and display the initial setup screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to select your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with your Apple ID.

If you performed a Restore and have a backup available, you will be offered the option to restore from an iCloud backup or from a local backup stored in iTunes or Finder. Select your most recent backup to recover your apps, settings, and personal data.

Helpful Tips

  • Keep your iPad connected throughout the entire process. Disconnecting the cable during an Update or Restore can corrupt the installation and may require you to start the recovery process over from the beginning.
  • Ensure your computer has a stable internet connection. iTunes and Finder must download the full iPadOS software package during recovery, which can be several gigabytes. A dropped connection mid-download will cause the process to fail.
  • If recovery mode exits before you finish, your iPad may have timed out waiting for a response. Simply repeat the button sequence for your model to re-enter recovery mode and try again.
  • Back up regularly to protect your data. The simplest way to back up your iPad is to connect to Wi-Fi and go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Getting into this habit before any troubleshooting gives you a reliable safety net if a full Restore becomes necessary.

If you need help creating a backup, are unsure which iPad model you have, or run into an error during the recovery process, feel free to reach out — we are happy to walk you through it step by step.