How to reset an iPad without a computer: factory reset, force restart and remote erase

Which kind of reset do you need?

"Reset" means different things, and picking the wrong one either fails to fix the problem or deletes more than you meant to. Start with the least drastic option that fits.

How to factory reset an iPad from Settings

A factory reset deletes all your content, removes your accounts and returns the iPad to the setup screen. Do this when you are selling or giving the iPad away, or when nothing else has fixed a serious software problem.

Step 1: Back up the iPad

Once the iPad is erased, anything not backed up is gone. With Wi-Fi and power connected:

1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
2. Tap iCloud › iCloud Backup.
3. Tap Back Up Now and wait for it to finish.

If the iPad is running an iPadOS 27 beta, remember that a backup made on a beta cannot be restored onto an older iPadOS version. Our guide to backing up before the beta explains how to keep an archived copy.

Step 2: Sign out of Find My

If Find My is still on when the iPad is erased, Activation Lock keeps it tied to your Apple Account, and the next owner cannot set it up. iPadOS usually asks for your Apple Account password during the erase to deal with this, but turning it off yourself first is the surest way.

1. Open Settings and tap your name.
2. Tap Find My › Find My iPad.
3. Turn it off and enter your Apple Account password.

Step 3: Erase all content and settings

1. Open Settings › General.
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset iPad.
3. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
4. Review the summary of what will be removed and tap Continue.
5. Enter your passcode, and your Apple Account password if asked.
6. Tap Erase iPad to confirm.

The iPad erases itself and finishes on the Hello screen. Leave it on power while it works. If you are keeping the iPad, set it up again and choose to restore from your iCloud backup when asked.

How to force restart an iPad

A force restart is the fix for a frozen screen, a hung app or buttons that stop responding. Nothing is deleted. The steps depend on whether your iPad has a Home button.

iPads with a Home button

Of the iPads that run iPadOS 27, only the iPad (9th generation) has a Home button. Older Home button models include the iPad (8th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) and iPad mini (5th generation).

1. Press and hold the Home button and the top button at the same time.
2. Keep holding when the power-off slider appears.
3. Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

iPads without a Home button

This covers every other iPadOS 27 model, including the iPad (10th generation), iPad (A16), every iPad Air from the 4th generation on, every iPad mini from the 6th generation on, and every iPad Pro that runs iPadOS 27.

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. Release it when the Apple logo appears.

Using "nearest" and "farthest" matters on iPads whose volume buttons sit on the top edge, where "up" and "down" depend on how you hold the iPad.

How to reset settings without erasing data

If the iPad works but something keeps misbehaving, try a settings reset before you erase. Both options keep your apps, photos and files.

1. Open Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPad.
2. Tap Reset.
3. Choose Reset Network Settings for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or VPN problems, or Reset All Settings for wider issues.
4. Enter your passcode to confirm.

Reset Network Settings removes saved Wi-Fi passwords, so have them ready. Our guide to resetting network settings covers what else it changes.

How to reset an iPad if you forgot the passcode

Settings will not help if you are locked out, because the erase asks for your passcode. You have two other routes.

Erase it remotely with Find My

This works if Find My was turned on and the iPad is connected to the internet.

1. Sign in at iCloud.com with the same Apple Account, or open the Find My app on another iPhone, iPad or Mac.
2. Select the iPad from your list of devices.
3. Choose Erase This Device and confirm.
4. When the iPad restarts, set it up and sign in with your Apple Account to clear Activation Lock.

Use recovery mode, which needs a computer

If Find My was off, the remaining route is recovery mode on a Mac or PC with Finder or the Apple Devices app. Apple designed it this way so a stolen iPad cannot simply be wiped and reused. For every current option for your model, see Apple Support.

Common problems when resetting an iPad

Erase All Content and Settings is greyed out

Restrictions are the usual cause. Open Settings › Screen Time › Content & Privacy Restrictions and allow changes, or switch restrictions off with the Screen Time passcode. A school or work iPad may be managed by an organisation that blocks erasing; only its IT administrator can change that.

The reset seems stuck

An erase can take a while, especially on an iPad with a lot of data. Keep it on power and leave it alone. If the progress bar has not moved for a long time, force restart once and try the erase again.

The iPad asks for the previous owner's Apple Account

That is Activation Lock: the previous owner did not remove the iPad from Find My. Only they can release it, by removing the device from their account in Find My or at iCloud.com. Do not buy a used iPad until the seller has done this.

Resetting did not remove the beta

That is expected. Erasing keeps whatever iPadOS version is installed. To return to iPadOS 26, you need a restore from a computer; Apple is currently signing iPadOS 26.6.1 RC (23G82) for iPads that run iPadOS 27, while older iPads that stop at iPadOS 26 get iPadOS 26.7.1. Our downgrade guide covers the steps.

What to do next

If you reset the iPad to fix problems and plan to keep it, check that it is on the newest software. Our iPadOS 27 supported iPads list shows whether your model gets this year's update.

Frequently asked questions