How to Factory Reset iPad [With & Without Passcode]

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 as you may need to reset old iPad for sale or give it away.

Besides protecting your own information when you sell your old iPad, factory reset also works when your iPad is disabled, frozen, stuck in recovery mode or the screen becomes black. If you need to restore your iPad from iTunes/iCloud backup, factory reset is also a preparation you may need to do. This article introduces 6 ways for you to factory reset iPad with step-by-step tutorials.

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

How to Factory Reset iPad Without Passcode🔥 [Recommended]

Normally, when factory resetting iPad in Settings, you have to enter the passcode. However, it’s possible that you are then using your new iPad and haven’t used the old one for a while, which makes you fail to remember the passcode of your old iPad. If you still need to give it to others, you probably don’t want to leave your personal information on the old iPad. That’s what this method will do for you: you can learn how to factory reset iPad without passcode.

To reset iPad without passcode, you need a reliable third-party tool to help you: Passvers iPhone Unlocker. It can remove multiple locks on your iPad, including screen passcode, Apple ID, iCloud activation lock, MDM, and screen time passcode. With it, you can easily remove your iPad passcode to continue factory resetting your iPad. Better still, after you remove its passcode, it will erase all data on your iPad and you even don’t need to proceed with factory resetting anymore! Passvers will do all for you.

You can view more about its features below:

• Support iPad 2nd/3rd/4th/6th/7th/8th generation, iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad mini, and other versions
• Support the latest iPadOS 17 system
• Remove Passcode & Apple ID and password & iCloud activation lock & MDM & screen time passcode
• Fix iPad errors like Error 3, Error 9, Error 75, etc.
• Able to connect to your iPad even when it’s disabled

It’s never a problem to factory reset iPad when you lost your iPad passcode with Passvers iPhone Unlocker. Now, let’s see how to factory reset iPad without passcode with simple steps.

Factory Reset iPad Without Passcode with Passvers (Step-by-step)

STEP 1. Free download Passvers iPhone Unlocker on your PC or Mac.

STEP 2. Connect your old iPad to the computer via a USB cable and launch Passvers iPhone Unlocker.

STEP 3. Select Wipe Passcode at the first option and it will detect your iPad automatically.

STEP 4. After you check the device information is correct, just click Start and it will download the firmware package on your iPad.

STEP 5. When the firmware package is downloaded, you are required to enter “0000” to confirm removing iPad passcode. Then the program will begin wiping the passcode, and all data on your iPad will be erased.

STEP 6. Wait till the whole process is finished. When all is done, you will get an iPad without passcode and with no data.

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]

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 Buttons [iTunes & Passcode Required]

If you have previously synced your iPad with iTunes

In the case you don’t need to factory reset iPad with buttons, because you don’t need to turn it into Recovery mode. Just read the following guide:

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]

If it’s the first time you connect your iPad with iTunes, you have to turn to help to iPad factory reset buttons. Here are the easy steps:

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.

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.

Know more about Passvers iOS System Recovery:

• Factory reset your iPad even if your iPad is disabled
• 3 modes to meet different needs (Provide FREE option)
• Support iPad 2nd/3rd/4th/6th/7th/8th generation, iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad mini, and other versions and the latest iPadOS 17

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 above methods suggested by Apple officials.

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.