iPad Quick Tip – Reboot / Reset / Format Your iPad

After installing dozens of apps that made their iPads unstable or unresponsive, some of our readers asked us tips on what to do to fix their iPads. Depending on the severity of the issue, several tricks can be used, from a simple system reboot, to a complete format.

iPad reboot

The first thing to try is a reboot: simply hold both Sleep and Home buttons at the same time for a while, until the Apple logo shows up. After less than a minute, your iPad should come back to life and should be usable.

Reset your settings

After restarting your iPad, if something still seems off and you just cannot find out what is causing the issue, you may want to reset your settings to their default values (without erasing your calendars, files, and contacts). Simply go to the iPad Settings, then General, Reset, and select “Reset All Settings”.

Last resort: Format or Restore via iTunes

If you still run into issues and want to completely wipe out your iPad, simply go to the iPad Settings, then General, Reset, and select “Erase All Content And Settings”. If your iPad is so fubared that you cannot even launch the Settings app, plug it to your Mac/PC, launch iTunes, and restore it from there.

Now that people are getting their iPads, we’ve started our iPad Quick Tips series to help you get the most out of your new gadget. We’ll post our tips on a regular basis so keep coming back to find out the latest tricks and tips.