Your iPad hasn't reached recovery mode just because the Apple logo appears. The steps below take you to the computer-and-cable screen, using the sequence for your iPad's button layout. Before you start, connect your iPad to a computer by USB and open Finder on a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, or Apple Devices on Windows. If your Mac runs macOS 10.14 or earlier, use iTunes instead of Finder.
Put an iPad without a Home button into recovery mode
Use this method if your iPad has no physical Home button. Find the volume button nearest the top button before you start.
With the iPad connected to your computer, quickly press and release the volume button nearest the top button.
Quickly press and release the volume button farthest from the top button.
Press and hold the top button through the Apple logo.
Release it when the computer-and-cable screen appears. That's the recovery screen you're looking for. Stopping at the Apple logo leaves the sequence unfinished.
Use the Home button sequence on older iPads
Releasing the buttons too early leaves the recovery-mode sequence unfinished.
Connect your iPad to the computer by USB, with Finder or Apple Devices open.
Press and hold the Home button and top button together.
When the iPad switches off, release the top button while continuing to hold the Home button.
Release the Home button when the computer-and-cable recovery screen appears.
Choose what happens next on your computer
Once the recovery screen appears, finish the process in Finder or Apple Devices.
- 1.Select your iPad's name in the Finder sidebar or its icon in the Apple Devices sidebar.
- 2.If you're troubleshooting and haven't already attempted an update, select Update first.
- 3.If you need to restore the iPad, select Restore. This reinstalls iPadOS and deletes the device's data.
- 4.If the download takes longer than 15 minutes and the iPad leaves recovery mode, let the download finish. Then repeat the button sequence for your iPad to enter recovery mode again.
Reset an iPad after a forgotten passcode
Disconnect your iPad before starting Apple's forgotten-passcode reset. This workflow uses Restore, which deletes the iPad's data.
Bring up the power-off slider: without a Home button, hold a volume button and the top button together; with a Home button, hold the top button.
Drag the power-off slider to turn off the iPad, allowing one minute before reconnecting.
Reconnect the iPad to your computer for the recovery-mode sequence above that matches its button layout. The computer-and-cable image confirms entry; reaching the passcode screen means you need to start again.
Enter recovery mode without using the buttons
A desktop utility offers another route when your iPad is accessible to the application and recognized by it. A locked or unresponsive iPad that the application cannot access won't accept this software command.
On iPadOS 14.5 and later, software-triggered recovery from an external computer is restricted by default to previously trusted computers.
For AnyFix on Mac or Windows, select Free Download on the AnyFix download page.
Install AnyFix on your computer.
Open AnyFix.
Connect the iPad by USB and wait for AnyFix to recognize it.
Select Enter/Exit Recovery Mode.
Click Enter.
After AnyFix confirms completion, check your iPad for the computer-and-cable recovery screen.
If AnyFix cannot recognize your iPad and broken buttons prevent the hardware method, contact Apple for service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my iPad in recovery mode without a computer?
Apple's standard button-based recovery workflow requires a computer. If you don't have one and cannot borrow one, get help from an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Can I turn on recovery mode from iPad Settings?
Apple does not offer a supported recovery-mode entry option in Settings. Erasing or resetting the iPad is not a recovery-mode entry shortcut.
Does selecting my iPad in Finder put it into recovery mode?
No. Finder provides the recovery interface on macOS Catalina 10.15 and later, but selecting the iPad alone does not enter recovery mode.
Is recovery mode the same as DFU mode?
No. DFU is a separate mode, not another name for recovery mode.