How do you reset an iPad?

Daan14 SEPTEMBER 2025

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What is a soft reset?
What is a hard reset?

Two hands hold a white tablet with a black screen on a gray background; one finger touches the screen.

Sometimes your iPad may stop responding, freeze, or fail to start. Resetting your iPad can be the solution. There are 2 types of resets: a soft reset and a hard reset. A hard reset deletes all settings and data, which is useful if you want to set up your iPad as new or sell it. A soft reset is used when your iPad is slow or frozen. Read on to find out how to perform both a hard reset and a soft reset on your iPad.

What is a soft reset?

Five tablets are stacked on a white background. The front tablet displays an image. A white keyboard is attached.

A soft reset is useful if, for example, your Candy Crush game freezes or your Apple tablet is running slowly. You can think of a soft reset as simply restarting your iPad. But how do you do this if your iPad is barely responding?

On iPads with a Home button, press and hold both the Home button and the top power button for several seconds until the Apple logo appears.
Many newer iPads, such as the latest iPad, iPad Air and iPad Pro, no longer have a Home button. To perform a soft reset on these models, quickly press and release the volume button closest to the power button, then the other volume button. After that, press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo. Your iPad will now restart.

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What is a hard reset?

Three tablets display different screens. The first features a colorful home screen. The second shows a green gemstone pattern. The third displays an earth image.

A hard reset erases all your data and settings, restoring your iPad to its factory state. This is only necessary in extreme cases, for example if a soft reset has not solved your problems, or if you’re passing your iPad on to a new owner. To carry out a hard reset: