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If your iPad is not working as usual, you can reset your device. There are two types of reset: hard reset and soft reset.
Resetting your iPad: How to do it with a soft reset
If an app won’t close or your iPad is responding too slowly, you can quickly and easily perform a soft reset. This will restart your iPad and free up memory.
- Before you begin, you should save all your work to avoid data loss. It is best to switch to the home screen.
- Now press and hold the power button (at the top of the iPad) and the home button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. Your iPad will perform a soft reset and restart.
How to reset your iPad with a hard reset
If the soft reset has not worked and your iPad is still not working, you can perform a hard reset. However, this should always be a last resort, as it will completely reset your iPad to its factory settings. This will cause you to lose all apps and data on the device. To perform a hard reset, you will need a computer or Mac with iTunes installed.
- Start iTunes on your PC and connect the iPad to your computer via USB.
- A driver for your device may now need to be installed. After a short time, however, you should see a new “iPad” tab in the upper right corner of the iTunes window. Click on it to access the synchronization menu.
- Optional: Just in case, you should first click on “Back Up Now” in the “Backups” section and create a backup of your iPad. This will allow you to restore the current state later if you need your data again.
- Then start the hard reset by clicking on the “Restore iPad” button. In the window that appears, you can now back up your iPad again. If you no longer want to do this, click on “Don’t Back Up” to continue.
- Accept the final warning by clicking “Restore” or “Restore Update” (varies depending on the iOS version). Keep in mind that this will delete all your data from the iPad.
- Now you have to wait: The iPad will restart several times and the firmware will be restored. This process may take some time. Do not disconnect the USB connection or turn off the computer during this process.
- After installation, you can set up your device again. It is recommended that you do not use a backup, but rather completely reset the iPad.
Difference between soft reset, hard reset, and factory settings
There are differences between a soft reset, a hard reset, and resetting the device to factory settings.
- A soft reset is basically a simple restart of the device – comparable to turning it off and on again. This method is ideal if your iPad is only frozen for a short time or an app is not responding properly. Data, settings, and apps remain completely intact.
- A hard reset goes one step further. This forces a restart using a key combination – which helps if the screen is frozen or the iPad is no longer responding to input. Again, no data is deleted.
- The factory reset is the most radical measure. It completely erases the iPad and returns it to the state it was in when it was delivered. This option is suitable if you want to fix serious software problems or sell or give away the device. All personal data, apps, and settings will be lost, so it is essential to back up your data.
