How to put your iPad in recovery mode

If your iPad® is stuck on the Apple logo or frozen, putting it into recovery mode can help fix the issue. Recovery mode allows you to update or reset your iPad using a computer, so you can solve software issues.

Need to put your iPad in recovery mode? This guide will walk you through the steps. You’ll also find other helpful tips—like how to fix a slow iPad—in our tech support library. And if you ever need more help, our trusted experts at Asurion are here to get your devices back up and running.

Follow these instructions

Before starting, make sure you have a Mac or PC with the latest version of iTunes.

Enter Recovery Mode on iPads without a home button

If you have an iPad without a home button, follow these steps:

1. Connect your iPad to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. 
3. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button. 
4. Press and hold the Top button until you see an Apple logo with a progress bar below it. This shows recovery mode is initializing.

Enter Recovery Mode on iPads with a Home button

For older iPads that include a Home button, such as iPad (7th generation or earlier), iPad mini (5th gen or earlier), or iPad Air (3rd gen or earlier)—follow these steps:

1. Connect the iPad to your computer with a Lightning cable.
2. Open iTunes or Finder, depending on your macOS version.
3. Press and hold both the Home button and the Top button at the same time. Release the top button when the iPad turns off, but keep holding the Home button until you see the recovery mode screen. If you don’t see the recovery screen, try again. Make sure both buttons are pressed and held long enough.

Connect your iPad to a computer

Regardless of your iPad version, recovery mode only works when your device is connected to a computer. Here’s how to connect your iPad to a computer:

1. Use a Lightning or USB-C cable to connect your iPad to a computer.
2. Open Finder (on macOS Catalina and newer) or the Apple Devices app on your PC. If your PC doesn’t have the Apple Devices app or your Mac is using macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes.
3. Find your iPad on your computer. If the computer can’t detect your iPad, try using a different cable or port. You may have to update your computer’s software.

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Choose to update or restore your iPad

Once your computer recognizes the iPad in recovery mode, you’ll be given two options:

• Update: Reinstalls iPadOS without erasing your data. Pick this if your device isn’t working properly. After choosing this, your computer will download the software for your iPad. Repeat step 2 and subsequent steps if the download takes over 15 minutes and your iPad remains on the recovery mode screen.
• Restore: Erases your iPad completely and installs the latest iPadOS. Choose this if updating doesn’t resolve the issue or if your iPad is disabled and you can’t remember the passcode. Note that if you haven’t backed up your iPad, choosing "Restore" will erase all your data. Always try "Update" first if possible.

Set up your iPad after the Update or Restore is complete.

FAQs

How do I put an iPad with Face ID into recovery mode?

To put a Face ID iPad into recovery mode:

1. Connect the iPad to your computer.
2. Quickly press Volume Up, then Volume Down.
3. If you have an iPad without a Home button, press the Power button until the recovery mode screen appears. For an iPad with a Home button, press and hold the Home button simultaneously to access the Recovery Mode screen.

Make sure you’re using iTunes or Finder on your computer to detect the device.

Can recovery mode fix a frozen or disabled iPad?

Yes, recovery mode is one of the most effective ways to fix an iPad that’s frozen, stuck during startup, or disabled due to too many passcode attempts. It lets you update the device without erasing your data or restoring it to factory settings.

What do I need before using iPad recovery mode?

You’ll need:

• A Mac or Windows PC with the latest version of iTunes (or Finder on newer Macs)
• A USB-C or Lightning cable
• A stable internet connection (if you’re restoring or updating)
• A backup, if you want to preserve your data (optional but highly recommended)