It's a frustrating scenario, and one that happens to plenty of people: You enter the wrong passcode on your iPad® too many times and it locks you out. Now you'll have to hard reset it.
At Asurion, our experts come across issues like this every day, from iPads that fail to update to ones that are unresponsive to touch. And when tech breaks, we fix it. If you're having problems with your iPad, a hard reset might be the only way to get your device working properly. So check out our tips on how to back up and reset an iPad in a few different ways.
Why should I reset my iPad?
Resetting an iPad can fix several common issues, including:
- An iPad that has become disabled after too many incorrect passcode attempts.
- An iPad screen that is unresponsive or frozen.
- An iPad that is running slower than usual or cannot load apps and programs.
- A fully charged iPad that won't turn on.
- An iPad that needs to be cleared of all data before it's sold or traded.
Before you get started, however, make sure you've recently backed up your device.
How to back up your iPad
Unless your device is disabled—and you can't unlock the screen—you can still save photos, videos, and other important files on a computer or to iCloud® before it's too late. For PCs or Macs running MacOS Movaje or earlier, you'll use iTunes; for Macs running macOS Catalina or later, you'll use Finder. The process is simple:
To back up your iPad using iTunes:
- Make sure you've installed or upgraded to the latest version of iTunes.
- Open iTunes®, then click on the iPad icon in the upper-left corner.
- Click Summary > Back Up Now.
To back up your iPad using Finder:
- Open Finder®, then click on the iPad icon under Locations in the left column.
- Click General > Back up all of the data on your iPad to this Mac.
- Click Back Up Now.
To back up your iPad using iCloud:
- Make sure your iPad is connected to Wi-Fi.
- Open Settings and tap on your name at the top.
- Tap iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.
Backing up your data is only the first step in fixing your iPad issues. After it's complete, you will need to reset your device in one of three ways: a soft reset, force restart, or a hard reset (also known as factory data reset). We'll walk you through each method below, or you can check out this video on how to reset your iPad from Asurion's YouTube channel:
How to soft reset an iPad
A soft reset will help troubleshoot your tablet without the risk of losing data or erasing your iPad's settings. You're basically just turning your iPad on and off. A simple restart can fix more than you think. Give it a try:
For iPads with a Home button: Press and hold the Top button until the power off slider appears onscreen.
For iPads without a Home button:
- Press and hold the Top button and one of the volume buttons until the power off slider appears onscreen.
- Swipe right on the slider to reset your iPad and turn it off.
- Wait a few minutes, then turn your iPad back on.