Factory restoring is a significant skill for mobile device users, such as iPad users. It brings an iPad to the factory status and removes all data and personal settings. Before you give your device away, you need to restore your iPad first. Moreover, it is an essential step for troubleshooting. Anyway, this concrete guide shares proven ways to restore your iPad to factory settings with or without a password.

Part 1: How to Restore an iPad to Factory Settings

Factory restoring an iPad returns your handset to the state it was in when it left the factory. Apple has added the option to the Settings app. If your iPad is accessible, you can perform a factory restore directly. This way doesn’t require extra software or hardware.

Step 1. Turn on your iPad.

Step 2. Open the Settings app.

Step 3. Go to General and Transfer or Reset iPad.

Step 4. Tap the Erase All Content and Settings option.

Step 5. Read the message and tap Continue.

Step 6. If you have a 4G or 5G iPad, choose Keep eSIM and Erase Data or Delete eSIM and Erase Data.

Step 7. Enter your iPad passcode to authenticate.

Step 8. Decide if you want iCloud backup or not.

Step 9. If Find My iPad is enabled, type in your Apple Account password to turn it off.

Step 10. When restoring the iPad finishes, your device will reboot.

Part 2: How to Restore an iPad with a Computer

Another way to restore an iPad to factory settings is to use a computer. Depending on your operating system, you can restore your device using the latest version of iTunes or Finder. This way also requires a USB cable.

On Windows and macOS Mojave or earlier

Step 1. Connect your iPad to your PC with a USB cable.

Step 2. Open the latest version of iTunes.

Step 3. Click the Device button at the top left corner after your iPad is detected.

Step 4. Go to the Summary tab.

Step 5. Click on the Restore iPad button.

Step 6. If Find My iPad is enabled, you will be asked to turn it off first.

Step 7. Wait for your iPad to restart, and disconnect it.

On macOS Catalina or later

Step 1. Plug your iPad into your Mac with a compatible cable.

Step 2. Open the Finder app.

Step 3. Once your iPad is recognized, click on your iPad name.

Step 4. Switch to the General tab.

Step 5. Click the Restore iPad button to initiate factory restoring the iPad.

Part 3: How to Restore a Locked iPad

When you forget your passcode, your iPad will be locked. If you have updated to iPadOS 15.2 or above, you can restore the locked iPad on the Security Lockout screen. This way requires your Apple Account password.

On iPadOS 17 or later

Step 1. Repeatedly enter a wrong passcode until the iPad Unavailable screen appears.

Step 2. Tap the Forgot Passcode option at the bottom.

Step 3. Read the alert and tap the Start iPad Reset button.

Step 4. Enter the Apple Account passcode linked to your iPad.

Step 5. When the process finishes, your iPad will reboot.

On iPadOS 15.2 or above

Step 1. Tap the Erase iPad button on the iPad Unavailable screen.

Step 2. Read the notification and tap Erase iPad again.

Step 4. Type in your Apple Account password to start the process.

Part 4: How to Restore iPad to Factory Settings Without a Password

Recovery Mode allows you to restore the iPad to factory settings without a password. The process works for locked and disabled iPad devices. Remember that you still need to offer the associated Apple Account password when setting it up again.

Step 1. Hook up your iPad to a computer with a USB cable.

Step 2. Put your iPad in Recovery Mode:

On an iPad without the Home button

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.

Do the same thing to the Volume Down button.

Press and hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.

On an iPad with the Home button

Hold down the Home + Side buttons together.

Once the Recovery Mode pops up, let the buttons go.

Step 3. Open iTunes or Finder according to your operating system if it doesn’t pop up automatically.

Step 4. Click the Restore button on the dialog.

Part 5: How to Restore a Disabled iPad to Factory Settings

Restoring an iPad without a password is possible if you have a powerful restoring tool, such as Apeaksoft iFoneKit iOS Unlocker. It can erase all data and personal settings on your iPad without any restrictions. The clear design makes it available to ordinary people.

How to Restore a Locked iPad to Factory Settings Without a Password

Step 1. Link to your iPad

Run the iPad restoring software once you install it on your computer. It is available on Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista and Mac OS X 10.7 or above. Choose the Unlock iOS Screen mode to proceed. Link your iPad to your computer with a Lightning cable.

Step 2. Download the firmware

Once the software detects your device, read the iPad information. Next, click on the Start Now button to begin downloading the firmware.

Step 3. Restore your iPad

When the download finishes, click OK on the confirmation dialog. Then, click the Confirm Again button to verify the firmware. Once the verification is done, the software will begin restoring your iPad automatically.

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