How to Factory Reset iPad [2023 Ultimate Guide]

To factory reset iPad, you will erase everything on it. Although we don’t normally perform an iPad factory reset, it’s useful when you want to protect your private data or fix the system errors of your iOS devices. This article introduces 5 ways for you to factory reset iPad with step-by-step tutorials. Just read on and follow if you find yourself in one of the situations:

• You need to reset old iPad for sale or give it away.
• You need to restore a disabled iPad since you forget the iPad password.
• Factory reset iPad to restore iCloud/iTunes backup.
• Your iPad is frozen, stuck in recovery mode, or black screen and needs to be fixed by restoring.
• You want to factory reset your iPad to clear memory space.

Again, since factory reset iPad erases everything on your iPad, to avoid data loss, it’s important to back up your iOS devices beforehand.

Best Method: Factory Reset iPad without iTunes or Passwords🔥

Passvers iOS System Recovery is a professional iOS system recovery tool that can factory reset iPad and fix various system problems without iTunes or passwords. For example, you can easily use the program to wipe a locked iPad or fix an iPad that won't work properly. This software is perfectly compatible with iPadOS systems, or other iOS devices.

STEP 1 Install Passvers iOS System Recovery on your computer and open the program. Click Start.

STEP 2 Connect your iPad to computer. If your iPad is abnormal, this page will be displayed on your screen. Choose the Repair Mode you prefer to use and Click Confirm to continue.

STEP 3 According to the repair mode you have selected, you need to put your iPad in Recovery/DFU mode. There will be clear instructions for you to follow.

STEP 4 The info about your iPad will be displayed. Verify if the information is correct, if it is, then click Repair. The program will then factory reset your iPad and fix it.

If you need to recover iPad data after the factory reset, please read this post: How to Recover iPad Data After Factory Reset. If you do remember your lock-screen passcode and Apple ID password, and simply want to erase your iPad for more storage space, etc. You can try the following methods suggested by Apple officials.

How to Factory Reset iPad in Settings [Passcode Required]

As you know, there is a reset function on your iPad. If you can still access your iPad and need to factory reset iPad to fix system errors or restore an iCloud backup, the most direct and convenient way is to use the feature on your iPad.

STEP 1 For iPadOS 14 or earlier, go to "Settings" > "General" > "Reset" and tap on "Erase All Content and Settings".

For iPadOS 15 or later, similarly, select "Settings" > "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPad", and you will see "Erase All Content and Settings" that you need to choose.

STEP 2 You will be asked to confirm your action and enter the passcode.

STEP 3 The iPad will reboot as an Apple logo together with a loading bar appears on the screen. Now that your iPhone data is wiped out entirely, you need to set up the iPad again.

What’s the difference between Reset All Settings and Erase All Content and Settings on iPad?

• Reset All Settings: This option is not to factory reset your iPad but just reset all the settings to fix subtle errors on your Apple device. It results in no data loss and is only a combination of resetting network settings, keyboard dictionary, home screen layout, etc.
• Erase All Content and Settings: Tap this option, all contents including apps, music, photos, and personal account information will be erased from your iPad. After this factory reset, your iPad will be like a brand new one and you will be asked to set it again from selecting region, language, Apple ID, etc.

How to Factory Reset iPad from Lock-Screen [Apple ID Password Required]

This method can be applied when you forget your lock-screen passcode but remember your Apple ID password. But it works if only you have enabled Find My on this iPad.

Step 1 Keep entering the wrong passcode until you see an Erase iPad button on the lock screen.

Step 2 Tap the Erase iPad button and sign out of your Apple ID. And tap go.

Step 3 Wait for your iPad to factory reset and restart. After that, you will get everything on this iPad erased.

How to Factory Reset iPad with iTunes [Passcode Required]

If you have previously synced your iPad with iTunes

STEP 1 Connect the device to a computer with a USB cable.

STEP 2 Tap on your iPad icon and choose the Summary tab on the left panel, then click on "Restore iPad" to factory reset iPad.

If you have never synced your iPad with iTunes [Factory reset iPad with buttons]

STEP 1 Launch iTunes on your PC.

STEP 2 Put your iPad into Recovery Mode:

• For iPad with a Home Button: Press and hold the Home button and the Top or Side button simultaneously. When the Apple logo appears, keep holding both of the buttons until you see the recovery screen.
• For iPad without a Home Button: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Top button. When the Apple logo shows on your iPad screen, keep holding the Top button until it enters recovery mode.

STEP 3 Connect your iPad to the computer. There will be a pop-up window saying that there’s a problem with your iPad, Click “Restore” to reset your iPad to factory settings.

Factory Reset iPad with iCloud [Apple ID Password Required]

Actually, one more method to factory reset iPad is to use the "Remote Wipe" feature of FMI to erase the contents and passcode of your device. With this method, you don’t have to use iTunes or even a computer and can factory reset your iPad directly via iCloud.com.

STEP 1 Log in to iCloud.com with your Apple ID and password.

STEP 2 Select "Find My iPhone" > "All Devices" at the top of your browser window. Then, choose the iPad from the device list.

STEP 3 Then you will be displayed with 3 features: Play Sound, Lost Mode, and Erase iPad. Tap "Erase iPad", and your iPad will be factory reset once it’s connected to the internet.

Extra Tip: How to Recover iPad Data from iTunes/iCloud After Factory Reset

After factory reset, your iPad will lost all the data. For iPad data recovery after factory reset, it’s recommended to use FonePaw iPhone Data Recovery, a program dedicating to flexibly recover lost photos, messages, notes, contacts, and more from iPad after factory resetting.

As a professional iOS data recovery program, FonePaw supports all generation of iPads, and can help you easily extract iPad data from iTunes/iCloud backup after the iPad returns to factory settings. Compared to the official method that requires you to restore the entire backup without knowing the exact contents, this software can let you preview the contents in the backups and selectively restore the data you want.

STEP 1 Download FonePaw iPhone Data Recovery on the computer.

STEP 2 If you have an iTunes backup before factory resetting iPad, choose "Recover from iTunes Backup File" and select one of the back-ups of your iPad. You can then see all data on the backup and select those you need to recover.

STEP 3 If you have backed up iPad to iCloud, you can choose "Recover from iCloud Backup Files" and sign in with your iCloud account.

That's all the methods that you can reset an iPad to factory settings. If you have any question, please put your comment below.