So your iPad Pro froze mid-presentation? Or maybe it's draining battery like crazy? Honestly, I've been there too. Last month, my 2020 iPad Pro became completely unresponsive while I was editing photos – the screen went black, buttons did nothing. Panic mode activated. But here's the thing: restarting fixed it in minutes. Let me show you exactly how to restart any iPad Pro model, whether it has Face ID or that trusty old Home button.
Why You Might Need to Restart Your iPad Pro
Restarting isn't just for frozen screens. Over the years, I've found these situations where a simple restart solved headaches:
- The ghost touch phenomenon – your iPad acts like invisible fingers are tapping everywhere
- Battery drain overnight (lost 40% once despite no apps running)
- Wi-Fi or Bluetooth refusing to connect even after toggling settings
- Apps crashing on launch repeatedly
- Unresponsive keyboard during critical typing sessions
Funny story: My colleague thought his iPad Pro speaker died. After 3 restarts (yes, three!), the sound magically returned. Sometimes glitches just need a fresh start.
Pro Tip: Restarting clears temporary system cache without deleting personal data – like giving your iPad a short nap. Factory reset is different (that erases everything).
Normal Restart vs Force Restart: What's the Difference?
| Method | When to Use | Data Loss Risk | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal Restart | iPad responds but acts glitchy | None | 60-90 seconds |
| Force Restart | Frozen screen/unresponsive buttons | None (if done correctly) | 15-30 seconds |
| Factory Reset | Selling iPad or major software issues | Erases everything | 10-15 minutes |
Critical note: Many confuse force restarting with factory reset. Big difference! Force restart won't touch your photos or apps. I've done it hundreds of times testing devices.
Warning: If your iPad shows the connect-to-iTunes screen (recovery mode), stop! That's not a restart. Disconnect cables and follow force restart steps instead.
Step-by-Step: How to Restart iPad Pro with Face ID (2018-Present)
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Models without Home buttons require this sequence:
- Press and hold BOTH the Top Button (power) and either Volume Button (▲ or ▼) simultaneously
- Keep holding until "slide to power off" appears (about 3 seconds)
- Release buttons and drag the power slider to the right
- Wait 30 full seconds – this is crucial! Let the system fully shut down
- Press and hold the Top Button again until Apple logo appears
Personal gripe: Apple made this harder than older models. Sometimes I activate Siri accidentally when pressing the buttons. If that happens, just try again faster.
Troubleshooting Face ID Restart Problems
- "Slide to power off" won't appear? Ensure you're pressing both buttons firmly enough. Case thickness matters – remove bulky cases.
- iPad restarts immediately? You held buttons too long. Release immediately when slider appears.
- Volume buttons not working? Use AssistiveTouch (Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch ON)
Restarting iPad Pro with Home Button (Older Models)
20172015Early Models
Simpler process for Touch ID devices:
- Press and hold only the Top Button (sleep/wake)
- When "slide to power off" appears, release button
- Drag slider to the right
- Wait 30 seconds (seriously, count it!)
- Press and hold Top Button again until Apple logo shows
My 2015 iPad Pro still works perfectly thanks to regular restarts. Older models seem less buggy, frankly.
Battery Saving Tip: Before restarting, disable Bluetooth/Wi-Fi in Control Center. Upon reboot, they'll remain off, conserving power.
Emergency Force Restart for Frozen iPad Pro
When your screen is black or completely stuck:
For Face ID Models (2018+)
- Quickly press and release Volume Up button
- Quickly press and release Volume Down button
- Immediately press and hold Top Button
- Keep holding through Apple logo (ignore any power off sliders)
For Home Button Models
- Press and hold BOTH Top Button and Home Button
- Hold for 10-20 seconds until Apple logo appears
- Release buttons immediately when logo shows
I tested this on a frozen demo unit at Best Buy – worked instantly. Store guy wasn't thrilled though!
Important: Never force restart while Apple logo is already visible or during iOS updates. Could cause data corruption.
What to Do AFTER Restarting Your iPad Pro
Restarting isn't magic. Follow these post-reboot steps:
- Check battery health: Settings > Battery > Battery Health
- Verify storage space: Settings > General > iPad Storage (less than 1GB free causes issues)
- Update problem apps: App Store > Profile icon > Update All
- Test core functions: Camera, microphone, Apple Pencil responsiveness
If problems persist after 2 restarts, try updating iOS. Settings > General > Software Update. Still issues? Might require DFU restore (last resort).
Advanced Restart Scenarios
Restarting with Magic Keyboard Attached
Annoying reality: Keyboard shortcuts interfere. Solution:
- Detach iPad from keyboard first
- Perform restart as usual
- Reattach after Apple logo appears
When iPad Won't Turn On After Restart
Scary but fixable:
- Charge for 1 hour with original charger
- Try force restart again
- Connect to computer with iTunes/Finder
- Still dead? Contact Apple Support (might be hardware)
Restarting During iOS Update
Don't! Unless it's frozen for >15 minutes. Force restart might corrupt iOS requiring recovery mode restore.
FAQs: Restarting Your iPad Pro
How often should I restart my iPad Pro?
No strict schedule. I restart mine when I notice lag or every 2 weeks. Some users go months without issues. Listen to your device.
Will restarting delete my files or photos?
Absolutely not. Restarting doesn't touch user data. That's factory reset territory.
Why does my iPad Pro restart randomly?
Usually software bugs or faulty apps. Check Settings > Privacy > Analytics > Analytics Data for "panic" logs indicating crashes.
Can I restart iPad Pro without physical buttons?
Yes! Enable AssistiveTouch: Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch ON. Create custom restart action.
Does restarting improve battery life?
Temporarily yes. It stops background processes draining power. For lasting improvement, check battery-hogging apps.
Pro Maintenance Tips Beyond Restarting
- Monthly deep clean: Power off and use 70% isopropyl alcohol on buttons/ports (avoid screen)
- Storage management: Maintain 10% free space minimum
- Background app refresh control: Settings > General > Background App Refresh (disable non-essential)
- Battery calibration: Drain to 0% then charge to 100% uninterrupted every 3 months
Look, restarting is basic tech hygiene. My 2018 iPad Pro survived 4 years of abuse thanks to timely restarts. But remember – if you're restarting daily, something's wrong. Dig deeper or visit Apple Store. No device should need constant reboots.
Final thought: Bookmark this guide. Next time your iPad Pro acts up, you'll save hours of frustration. Trust me, I learned these steps the hard way!
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