How to Put Your iPad in Recovery Mode

Having issues with an unresponsive iPad and not sure how to put it into recovery mode? You’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to fix common issues and help get your iPad updated and working again.

An iPad in recovery mode

What Is Recovery Mode on iPad?

Recovery mode is a safety feature on iOS devices. It allows you to connect your iPad to a computer and use iTunes to reinstall the operating system. This is super helpful when your iPad becomes unresponsive or you need to remove a corrupted iOS beta version.

Will I Lose Data in Recovery Mode?

No. Recovery mode itself won’t delete your data. However, if you choose to restore your iPad while in recovery mode, it will erase everything on the device.

How to Avoid Data Loss in Recovery Mode?

To avoid data loss, it’s always best to back up your iPad to iCloud or your computer. If you select the Update option instead of Restore, your data should remain intact.

How to Put Your iPad into Recovery Mode

1. Update Your Computer

  • On a Mac: Ensure macOS is up to date.

  • On Windows: Update iTunes via Help > Check for Updates or get the latest version from the Microsoft Store.

2. Open Finder or iTunes

  • macOS Catalina or later: Open Finder.

  • Windows/macOS Mojave or earlier: Use iTunes.

3. Connect Your iPad via USB

iPads with a Home Button:

  • Connect your iPad to your computer.

  • Press and hold the Home button and the Top or Side button at the same time.

  • Keep holding both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.

iPads without a Home Button:

  • Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.

  • Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.

  • Press and hold the Power button until you see the recovery mode screen.

How to Exit Recovery Mode on iPad

  • Disconnect the iPad from your computer.

  • For iPads with a Home button: Press and hold the Home and Top or Side buttons until the Apple logo appears.

  • For iPads without a Home button: Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears.

Conclusion

Recovery mode on iPad is a powerful tool for troubleshooting serious device issues. Remember that even though recovery mode itself doesn’t erase your data, backing up is essential to avoid unexpected loss. If you want to avoid the stress of dealing with technical issues like failed updates or system freezes, consider our iPad hire service. We provide fully updated devices that are pre-configured, tested, and ready to use.