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Heloise Montini is a content writer whose background in journalism make her an asset when researching and writing tech content. Also, her personal aspirations in creative writing and PC gaming make her articles on data storage and data recovery accessible for a wide audience.
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Recovery mode is a crucial feature for troubleshooting and restoring an iPad when it encounters severe software issues. It allows users to reinstall the operating system or restore the device to factory settings.
There are several scenarios where entering recovery mode becomes necessary:
- Unresponsive Device: Recovery mode can help reset frozen or unresponsive iPads.
- Software Update Failures: If an update fails or your iPad is stuck on the Apple logo, recovery mode can facilitate a fresh installation of iOS.
- Selling or Giving Away: If you plan to sell or give away your iPad, using recovery mode to reset the device ensures your personal data is erased.
- Troubleshooting Major Issues: Recovery mode is a last resort for resolving persistent software problems that other troubleshooting steps have not fixed.
How to enter recovery mode
The method to enter recovery mode varies depending on whether your iPad has a Home button or not.
Important: Before entering recovery mode, back up your data to prevent loss (if possible). You can use iCloud or your computer for this purpose.
- Press and quickly release the volume button closest to the top button.
- Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
- Press and hold the top button. Continue holding until you see the recovery mode screen.
Source: Apple support
- Press and hold both the Home and the top (or side) buttons simultaneously. Keep holding the buttons until the recovery mode screen appears.
Source: Apple support
- Connect your iPad to your computer via a USB cable once it is in recovery mode.
Source: Apple support
How to restore your iPad in recovery mode
After entering recovery mode, you will have two options: Update or Restore.
- Update: This option attempts to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. It is recommended to try this first.
- Restore: This option erases all data on your iPad and reinstalls the operating system. Use it if the update fails or you want to reset your device completely.
To restore, follow the steps:
- Locate your iPad on your computer.
- When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose Update.
- Your computer will try to reinstall the software without erasing your data. Wait while your computer downloads the software for your iPad.
- If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your iPad exits the recovery mode screen, let the download finish, then repeat step 3.
- After the Update or Restore completes, set up your iPad.
When to seek professional help
If you encounter issues such as Activation Lock or if your iPad remains unresponsive after attempting recovery mode, it may be necessary to consult a professional service.
Contact companies specialized in iPad data recovery that can assist in retrieving lost information or resolving complex issues.
