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Published on: 03.01.2024 | updated on: 08.04.2024
It has been quite some time since Apple launched the iPad, yet its long-lasting popularity speaks well for its performance. Countless people still use the iPad, and rather passionately too, although the multi-range device may occasionally run into a few problems such as unresponsiveness, black screen, or software glitches. Luckily, one can hard reset the iPad to restore functionality. In this article, we’ll discuss the ways you can hard reset your iPad.
In this article, we’ll talk about step by step process to perform a hard reset on an iPad, to resolve common issues like device freezing, unresponsiveness, or app crashes. For iPads with a Home button, the procedure involves holding down the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. For newer iPad models without a Home button, the method requires quickly pressing and releasing the Volume Up button, followed by the Volume Down button, and then pressing and holding the Top button until the device restarts.
A hard reset isn’t the first solution when you encounter problems on an iPad. Most problems may resolve on their own or with a simple restart. However, certain issues require a hard reset and may pose a problem in the iPad’s functionality without one. A hard reset effectively resolves issues that may be caused by software bugs, charging issues, or preventing the iPad from responding. In countless cases, a hard reset fixes an unresponsive iPad and prevents a trip to the nearest Apple store.
Hard resetting your iPad every time it glitches or encounters a problem is quite tempting, especially if you’ve experienced a successful hard reset before. However, an iPad’s hard reset is not a magical solution to every encounter the iPad faces.
The hard reset is a reboot that essentially allows your iPad to regain some functions. It may be successful when you’re trying to fix a major problem that affects the iPad’s functionality, but it’s not a magical setting you apply every time something goes wrong.
The hard reset should only be performed once you run into a problem that doesn’t seem to be fixed, even after numerous tries. A hard reset is not a step to regular maintenance and may cause more problems if you perform it routinely.
As intimidating as it may seem, a hard reset on an iPad does not delete anything. A hard reset is just a way for your iPad to reboot to its functional form. It doesn’t tamper with stored data and only fixes software-related issues.
Many people confuse a hard reset with a factory reset. A factory reset wipes out all data, which may be irretrievable once deleted. You will delete everything if you factory reset your iPad, but you won’t face any problems if you hard reset your iPad.
Follow these steps to hard reset your iPad:
Luckily, a hard reset does not require an iPad password. You can still hard reset your iPad even if you’re encountering a glitch or issue that prevents you from unlocking it.
You can follow these steps to hard reset the iPad without a password:
Recent iPad models do not have a physical Home button. However, you can simply substitute the Home button with the Volume Up button instead to hard reset the iPad. Here is how you can do it:
In some cases, an iPad locked without access to iTunes may encounter some sort of problems in resetting.
Thankfully, there’s one way to fix this, but it requires your iPad to be connected to the internet. This technique also only works on iPads which have the “Find My” feature enabled. You can erase your iCloud remotely to get to your iPad. Just follow these steps:
In certain cases, you might have to hard reset if you’re dealing with a locked-out iPad. You can hard reset in such a scenario by following the steps mentioned earlier, which will restart the iPad and redirect you to the home screen.
To prevent unauthorized unlocking attempts, the iPad will require you to enter the correct password to continue.
Resetting or erasing an iPad may seem similar, but they achieve different outcomes. Whether you should reset or erase your iPad depends on your goal.
It is better to reset your iPad if you’re experiencing an unusual setback or glitch and don’t want to lose stored data. However, if you’re no longer concerned about the data or have a proper backup and just need to wipe it all off, it is better to erase your iPad.
It is much better to hard reset, especially if you prefer to protect your stored data.
Although a hard reset reboots your entire phone, it specifically addresses software issues. It is much more sensible to hard reset if you’ve encountered a fixable problem.
A factory reset transitions your iPad to a new-like version, which means it wipes out everything you’ve input thus far. Factory reset deletes everything, including valuable data. You must only prefer a factory reset when the problem on hand is too severe to resolve with a regular hard reset.
In case you want to wipe out all your data, you can perform a factory reset on your iPad by following the steps:
Factory resetting a dead or unresponsive iPad is only possible through iTunes. Here is how you can factory reset a dead iPad:
A black screen on an iPad may not necessarily be dead, but you can still proceed with the steps mentioned above.
Thankfully, iTunes or Finder still locates and detects your iPad even if it’s dead or has a black screen, so you should be able to proceed with the factory reset.
Unfortunately, performing a factory reset with just the buttons is impossible. You can only factory reset an iPad if you have access to its settings or the iTunes registered with it.
You don’t need your Apple ID to factory reset your iPad. However, you will need it after. A factory reset iPad will require entering your Apple ID and password once you start to set up the device to regain access.
In case a hard reset doesn’t work, follow these steps:
The process to hard reset your iPad is generally the same across models; the only change would be on the buttons required to hard reset the iPad.
Follow the steps mentioned previously to hard reset the iPad. You can press the volume up button instead of the home button, depending on the iPad Pro model.
Once again, the process to reset an iPad typically is the same across models. Follow the same procedure to hard reset the iPad mini.
Follow the same steps mentioned earlier to hard reset the iPad Air.
The steps to hard reset an iPad Pro 2021 are the same as those for other models.
The process to hard reset the iPad is consistent across models, so follow these same steps for the iPad mini 6:
The process to hard reset the iPad 9th generation is the same as for other models:
Follow the same steps to hard reset the iPad 10th generation:
The process to hard reset the iPad is the same for almost all models, so follow the same steps for the iPad Air 2:
To hard reset an iPad Mini 2, follow the same steps mentioned earlier for a hard reset:
To hard reset an iPad Air 4, the process remains the same:
Although the iPad is quite versatile, minor issues and glitches can prevent it from functioning effectively. A hard reset can effectively undo your iPad and bring it to a functional form, but you mustn’t rely on the procedure too much.
Similarly, knowing when to perform a hard reset and when to do a factory reset is important. To prevent any issues, keep a backup of important data and store your passwords in a safe source, preferably one that won’t be compromised if your iPad stops working.
Tech Writer | Photographer
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Madi is a dynamic tech writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts. Her expertise lies in creating clear and concise guides, blogs, manuals, and tutorials that empower users to navigate the technological landscape with ease. Throughout her career, Madi has worked with numerous leading tech companies, collaborating with engineers, developers, designers and marketers to create user manuals, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and tech articles, on the websites such as "Technology Castle" and "Bilzimo". She can transform intricate technical jargon into user-friendly language, empowering users to understand and utilize products effectively.
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