Erase iPad (2024)

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iPad User Guide

When you delete data, it no longer appears in apps on iPad, but it isn’t erased from iPad storage. To permanently remove all of your content and settings from your iPad, erase (wipe) your iPad. For example, erase iPad before you sell it, trade it in, or give it away.

There are two ways to erase iPad: using Settings on your iPad, or connecting iPad to a computer with a USB cable and using the Finder or iTunes. The Settings method is the easiest. If you’re unable to open Settings, you need to connect iPad to a computer and use the Finder or iTunes.

Before you begin

If you intend to sell your iPad, trade it in, or give it away, see the Apple Support article What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad for steps to take before erasing iPad.
To save your content and settings, back up your iPad shortly before erasing it or when you’re given the option during the erase process. You can use the backup to later restore your data on a new iPhone or iPad.
Have your iPad passcode ready. If you don’t remember it, see the Apple Support article If you forgot your iPad passcode.
Have your AppleID password ready. If you don’t remember it, see the Recover your AppleID website.
If you received your iPad from someone else and it’s still associated with their AppleID, return it to them and ask them to follow the instructions in the Apple Support article What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad. Otherwise, you won’t be able to erase it.

Use Settings to erase iPad

Go to Settings > General> Transfer or Reset iPad.
Do one of the following:
- Prepare your content and settings to transfer to a new iPad: Tap Get Started, then follow the onscreen instructions. When you finish, return to Settings> General> Transfer or Reset iPad, then tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Erase all of your data from iPad: Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Use a computer to erase iPad

You can use a Mac or WindowsPC to erase all data and settings from your iPad, restore iPad to factory settings, and install the latest version of iPadOS.

Connect your iPad to your computer with a USB or USB-C cable. You may also need an adapter. See Connect iPad and your computer with a cable.
Turn on your iPad.
Do one of the following:
- On a Mac (macOS10.15 or later): Click the Finder icon in the Dock to open a Finder window, click the iPad button in the Finder sidebar (below Locations), click General at the top of the window, then click Restore iPad.
- On a Mac (macOS 10.14 or earlier) or a Windows PC: Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes (see the Apple Support article Update to the latest version of iTunes). Open iTunes, click the iPad button near the top left of the iTunes window, click Summary, then click Restore iPad.

For troubleshooting steps, see the Apple Support article If you can’t update or restore your iPad.

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