How to wipe ipad to factory settings

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Reset your iPad to factory settings to remove your personal information

Updated on September 4, 2022

What to Know

  • Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Content and Settings.
  • Resetting an iPad to factory defaults wipes it clean for a new owner or overcomes a problem that rebooting the iPad won't solve.
  • The process erases all settings and data and returns it to its state when purchased.

This article explains how to reset an iPad to factory defaults for devices running iOS 9 or higher, and offers tips on wiping the device completely.

How to Reset the iPad to Factory Default

After you've performed a backup, you are ready to erase all content on the iPad and reset it back to factory default by following these steps:

  1. In Settings, tap General on the left-side menu.

  2. Scroll to the end of the General settings and tap Reset.

  3. Tap Reset All Content and Settings to erase your iPad.

  4. You'll need to confirm your selection twice. Because this option will set your iPad back to the factory default, Apple wants to double-check your choice. If you have a passcode lock on the iPad, you will also have to enter it to continue.

  5. Your iPad will erase and restart, ready for someone to set it up again.

How to Erase All Content on the iPad

Erasing all of the settings and data are erased from the iPad keeps your personal information safe. It's also a troubleshooting tool that can solve problems by deleting offending apps or settings. Before doing a full wipe of the iPad, try clearing the settings and resetting the network settings. You can do both of these processes on the same screen you use to reset the iPad.

The process of resetting should include turning off the Find My iPad feature.

Other Ways to Reset the iPad

The Reset menu contains several options if you don't want to clear the iPad entirely.

If you're giving your iPad to a family member who's going to use the same Apple ID, you might choose the first option: Reset All Settings. This option leaves the data (music, movies, contacts, etc.) on the tablet but resets the preferences. You can also try this if you are having problems with the iPad and aren't quite ready to go through with a full wipe. 

If you're resetting the device because you're having trouble connecting to your Wi-Fi or having other issues with internet connectivity, first try Reset Network Settings. This option will clear out any data stored on your specific network and could help clear up the issue without the need to do a full restore. 

Choosing to Erase All Content and Settings is typically the best option for most situations. This ensures that all data is removed, which includes information for your iTunes account. If you are selling the iPad on Craigslist, eBay, or to a friend or family member who will be using a different iTunes account, erase all content and settings.

FAQ

  • How do I reset an iPad without a password?

    To reset an iPad without a password, you can sync your iPad to a computer to put it in Recovery Mode and access the Restore capability. Alternatively, go to iCloud.com and find the iPad under your devices. Next, select Erase iPad, and follow the prompts.

  • How do I reset an iPad Mini?

    To reset an iPad Mini, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad. Select Erase All Content and Settings. You'll see an explanation box; tap Continue. Enter the iPad Mini's passcode; wait for a backup to complete, or tap Skip Backup. On the final confirmation page, tap Erase iPad.

  • How do I reset a disabled iPad?

    If you can't fix a disabled iPad and must reset it, your easiest course of action would be resetting it via iCloud. Go to iCloud.com, log in, and locate the iPad in your list of devices. Select Erase iPad, and follow the prompts to factory reset the iPad. You'll lose all the iPad's contents, but you'll be able to access it.

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Erasing all of the data on an iPad and restoring it to its factory settings is something you can do from the iPad's settings – provided you remember your passcode. If you don't remember your passcode, or you've been locked out because you entered the wrong passcode too many times, you'll need to reset it using iTunes on your computer. If you have backed up your iPad, you'll be prompted to restore your data and settings when you sign in after the reset. If you haven't backed up your data, you can recover the apps you purchased, but ​your data won't be recoverable​.

If your iPad is just frozen and not responding to your taps, rather than being locked, you can usually solve the problem with a ​hard reset​.

How to wipe ipad to factory settings

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Resetting the iPad With iTunes

Before getting started, make sure that your computer has the latest version of iTunes installed and that you have a strong internet connection. Resetting an iPad is time sensitive, and your computer will need to download and install software on the iPad. If the process takes longer than 15 minutes, it will automatically abort the process and you will need to start all over again.

Apple computers come with iTunes already, so you can open it and update it if prompted. If you have a Windows PC, you can download iTunes from the Microsoft Store if you don't already have it.

  1. Open iTunes

  2. Sign into iTunes on your computer. As a security measure, you will need your Apple ID and password to reset the iPad.

  3. Start Recovery Mode

  4. Recovery mode is what directs iTunes to either update or erase the iPad. You need to start this process before connecting the iPad to your computer. Because you'll need to hold down a button or two while connecting the iPad, connect its cable to your computer first, and then you can more easily connect the iPad once recovery mode has started. The process varies a bit, depending on which iPad model you have.

  5. iPad with Home button​: Hold down the Top or Side button until the Power Off slider appears on the screen. Drag the slider to turn off the iPad. Then hold down the Home button while connecting the iPad to your computer. Release the Home button only after the recovery mode screen appears.

  6. iPad with Face ID​: Press and hold the Top button and one of the volume buttons until you see the Power Off slider. Drag the slider to turn off your iPad. Continue holding down the Top button and connect your device to the computer. You can release the Top button after you see the recover-mode screen.

  7. Restore the iPad to Factory Settings

  8. Once the recover-mode screen appears on the iPad, iTunes should automatically launch on your computer. It will give you the option to restore or update the iPad. Click ​Restore​. Restoring the iPad can take several minutes.

How to Hard Reset an iPad

If your iPad is frozen, preventing you from unlocking it with your passcode, or if it doesn't recognize your taps or the slider doesn't work, a hard reset/hard reboot of your iPad will often do the trick. This forces the iPad to turn off and on, flushing its memory clean. A hard reset, however, ​does not delete your data​.

Press the ​Home​ button and the ​On/Off​ button at the same time. Keep holding the buttons down until after the screen turns black and the iPad starts up again. When the Apple logo appears on the screen, release the buttons.

You should now be able to access the iPad, provided you know the passcode. If you still need to erase the data and restore it to factory settings, you can do that with iTunes or from the iPad settings.

How to Erase iPad From Settings

If you are now able to open your iPad, you can erase all of your data and return it to its factory default settings without connecting it to a computer.

  1. Ensure that your iPad is charged, or connect it to a power source.
  2. Open ​Settings​; select ​General​ and then select ​Reset​.
  3. Select ​Erase All Content and Settings​. Enter your passcode or your Apple ID password if prompted. This password is the one that's associated with your email address and used to access the App Store or iCloud.
  4. Confirm that you want to erase everything on your iPad.

After several minutes, the iPad will restart, giving you the same welcome screen as when you purchased it.

How do I wipe my iPad before selling it?

To erase your device go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad and then tap "Erase All Content and Settings." Now that all of your personal data is safely backed up and your iPad is completely wiped, you can fully revel in the joys of selecting a new iPad or other tablets.

How do you hard reset an iPad to factory settings?

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset. Choose an option: WARNING: If you choose the Erase All Content and Settings option, all of your content is removed.

How do I reset my iPad to factory settings without the passcode?

If you can't remember your passcode when you try again, you need to use a computer to put your iPad in recovery mode. This process deletes your data and settings, including your passcode, giving you access to set up your iPad again. After you erase your iPad, you can restore your data and settings from backup.

How do I wipe and reset an old iPad?

Tap Settings > iTunes & App Store and sign out from your Apple ID. Finally, tap Settings > General > Reset. From the list of options, select Erase all content and settings and confirm your choice. This will wipe your old iPad clean, but nothing on your new iPad will be affected.