How to Factory Reset an iPad Pro/Air/mini and More

Samuel Spenser Published on September 24, 2024iOS Tips3-min reading

Factory resetting an iPad is a useful process for troubleshooting, preparing the device for a new user, or simply for fresh. This feature erases all content and personal settings from your iOS device including apps, data, photos, files, and more. After a factory reset, your iPad will boot into the Hello screen. In fact, there are multiple ways to complete the job. This guide will demonstrate the practical methods in detail.

In this article:

Part 1. Prepare Your iPad for Factory Reset
Part 2. How to Reset iPad to Factory Settings
Part 3. How to Reset A Locked iPad

Part 1. Prepare Your iPad for Factory Reset

Obviously, a master reset iPad will erase all data and settings from your device. Therefore, you’d better back up your iPad with iTunes/Finder or iCloud. Then you can recover your data after a factory reset.

How to Back up iPad before Factory Reset with iTunes/Finder

Step 1

Connect your iPad to your computer with a USB cable. Open the latest version of iTunes. On macOS Catalina or above, run Finder.

Step 2

Click the Phone button in iTunes or choose your iPad name in Finder once your device is detected.

Step 3

Go to the Summary tab in iTunes or General in Finder, and locate the Backups section.

Step 4

Select This Computer or Backup all the data on your iPad to this Mac, and hit the Back Up Now button.

Note:

To make an encrypted backup before factory resetting your iPad, check the box next to Encrypt local backup, and leave a password.

How to Back up iPad before Factory Reset Using iCloud

Step 1

Connect your iPad to an internet connection.

Step 2

Open the Settings app, tap on your profile, choose iCloud, and tap iCloud Backup.

Step 3

Tap the Back Up Now button.

Part 2. How to Reset iPad to Factory Settings

The easiest way to reset the iPad to factory settings is the Reset feature in the Settings app. This way does not require any software or hardware, but your iPad must be accessible. Plus, if you have enabled Find My, you need your Apple ID password to turn off Find My.

Step 1

Open the Settings app from your home screen, and go to the General tab.

Step 2

Choose Transfer or Reset iPad on iPadOS 15 or above, and Reset on iPadOS 14 or earlier.

Step 3

Tap Erase All Content and Settings, and choose Erase Now on the alert.

Step 4

If prompted, enter your iPad passcode, and tap Erase to begin factory resetting your iPad with buttons. Then you will be asked to enter your Apple ID password if you have enabled Find My iPad.

Part 3. How to Reset A Locked iPad

Way 1: How to Reset a Locked iPad in Recovery Mode

iTunes can factory reset an iPad without a password with the Restore iPad button. If you are locked out of your device, you have to put your device in Recovery Mode and reset it with iTunes on Windows and macOS Mojave or older, Finder on macOS Catalina.

Step 1

Power off your iPad, and connect it to your computer with a compatible cable.

Step 2

Run the latest version of iTunes or Finder.

Step 3

Put your iPad into the Recovery Mode:

For an iPad without a Home button, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, do the same to the Volume Down button, and press and hold the Side button until the device enters Recovery Mode.

For an iPad with the Home button, hold down the Home + Sleep/Wake buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen.

Step 4

Once iTunes or Finder detects your iPad in Recovery Mode, you will be presented with a pop-up dialog with three buttons. Click Restore, and follow the on-screen instructions to hard reset your iPad Pro/Air/mini.

Way 2: How to Reset a Locked iPad Online

iCloud provides an option to factory reset the iPad without the passcode too. It works remotely. The prerequisite is that you must have turned on Find My on your iPad. Plus, you must remember your Apple ID password.

Step 1

Visit the iCloud website in a browser, sign in with your Apple ID and password, and choose Find My. Or sign in to www.icloud.com/find.

Tip

If you have turned on 2FA, type in the verification code that appears on your iPad screen.

Step 2

Pull down the All Devices option, and choose your iPad name on the list.

Step 3

Click the Erase This Device button. Then you will be prompted to enter your phone number, and Apple ID password to start factory resetting your iPad.

Way 3: How to Reset a Locked iPad with Another iOS Device

If you have turned on Find My on your iPad, you can also borrow an iPhone or iPad from your friend or family member to reset the iPad to factory default without a passcode. The Find My app released by Apple is available to finish the job on another iOS device or Mac.

Step 1

Install the Find My app on an accessible iOS device, and go to the Devices tab.

Step 2

Tap the + button, and input your Apple ID and password to add your iPad.

Step 3

Next, choose the iPad name on the device list. Then swipe upward to open the entire toolbar, tap Erase This Device, and press Continue.

Step 4

Then enter your phone number, tap Erase, enter your Apple ID password, and hit Erase to initiate the process.

Way 4: How to Reset an iPad Without Apple ID Password

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Here are the steps to factory reset an iPad without an Apple ID password:

Step 1

Connect to your iPad

Open the best iPad unlock software once you install it on your computer, and choose Wipe Passcode. Next, connect your iPad to the machine with a Lightning cable. Click the Start button to move on.

Step 2

Check device information

As long as your iPad is detected, you will be presented with the device information screen. Check them carefully, and correct it manually if an item is wrong. Then click the Start button to begin downloading the firmware.

Step 3

Factory reset iPad

Next, click the Unlock button, read the notification, and confirm the unlocking action. Enter 0000 to ensure the process. Wait for the factory reset to complete, and then disconnect your iPad. Then you can set your iPad and restore the latest backup.

Conclusion

Now, you should learn at least five ways to reset your iPad in various situations. You can erase your device in the Settings app if your iPad is still accessible. If your iPad is locked or disabled, you can restore your device with iTunes or Finder in the Recovery Mode. With Find My enabled, you can also do the job on iCloud or in the Find My app. iPassGo is the ultimate solution to complete iPad reset without any restriction. Other questions? Please write them down below.

Samuel Spenser

Samuel Spenser, a senior editor from imyPass, is an expert on password unlocking and recovery. He has more than 3-year experience in writing tutorials about password recovery for Windows.