How To Reboot Your iPad (Even If It's Frozen)

Check for Available Storage

If your iPad is experiencing freezing or slow performance, it could be due to insufficient storage space. Running out of storage can cause your device to lag, freeze, or become unresponsive. To ensure smooth operation, it’s important to regularly check and manage the available storage on your iPad. Here are a few steps you can take to check for available storage and free up space:

Check Storage Usage: Start by going to the “Settings” app on your iPad. Tap on “General” and then “iPad Storage” (or “Storage & iCloud Usage” on older versions of iOS). Here, you’ll find a breakdown of how your storage is being used. It will show you the total amount of storage on your device and how much is being used by different categories like apps, photos, videos, and more.
Delete Unnecessary Apps: Review the list of apps and identify any that you no longer use or need. Tap on the app and then click on “Delete App” to remove it from your device. If you want to keep the data associated with the app, make sure to back it up before deleting.
Offload Unused Apps: If you want to free up space but still keep the app data, you can offload unused apps. This feature allows you to remove the app itself while keeping its data intact. To offload an app, go to the “Settings” app, select “General,” then “iPad Storage.” Tap on the app you want to offload, and click on “Offload App.” You can always re-download the app from the App Store if you need it again.
Manage Photos and Videos: Photos and videos often take up a significant amount of storage space. You can optimize your device’s storage by enabling the “iCloud Photos” feature, which automatically uploads your photos and videos to your iCloud account and keeps smaller, optimized versions on your device. You can also manually delete unwanted photos and videos or transfer them to a computer or cloud storage.
Clear Safari Cache: The Safari web browser on your iPad stores temporary data such as cookies and cache files, which can take up space over time. To clear the Safari cache, open the “Settings” app and go to “Safari.” Scroll down and tap on “Clear History and Website Data.” This will remove all browsing history, cookies, and cache files from Safari.
Remove Unused Podcasts, Books, and Music: If you have podcasts, books, or music downloaded on your iPad that you no longer listen to or read, consider removing them to free up space. Open the respective app (Podcasts, Books, or Music), find the content you want to remove, and delete it.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage the available storage on your iPad and alleviate freezing or slow performance issues. Regularly checking your device’s storage usage and removing unnecessary data will help ensure a smooth and efficient experience while using your iPad.

Force Restart Your iPad

If your iPad is frozen or unresponsive, a force restart can help resolve the issue. This method can be used when the device is not responding to touch or any other commands. Here’s how you can force restart your iPad:

For iPad with Home button: Hold down the “Home” button and the “Power” button simultaneously. Keep holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen. Release the buttons and wait for the iPad to restart.
For iPad without Home button (iPad Pro 2018 models and newer): Quickly press and release the “Volume Up” button, then quickly press and release the “Volume Down” button. Next, press and hold the “Power” button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Release the button and allow the iPad to restart.
For iPad with Face ID (iPad Pro 2018 models and newer): Quickly press and release the “Volume Up” button, then quickly press and release the “Volume Down” button. Next, press and hold the top button (on/off button) until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Release the button and let the iPad restart.

A force restart does not erase any data on your iPad; it simply restarts the device and clears any temporary system glitches that may be causing it to freeze or become unresponsive. After the restart, you should be able to use your iPad normally.

If the force restart does not resolve the issue and your iPad continues to freeze or become unresponsive, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps such as updating your iPad software or restoring it to factory settings. However, a force restart is typically the first step to take when encountering freezing or unresponsiveness issues.

It’s important to note that force restarting your iPad should only be attempted when necessary. This method should not be used as a regular shutdown or restart option, as it could potentially disrupt normal system processes. It’s always recommended to utilize the regular shutdown or restart options whenever possible.

Update Your iPad Software

Keeping your iPad’s software up to date is crucial for its optimal performance and security. Apple regularly releases software updates that include bug fixes, new features, and improvements. If your iPad is frozen or experiencing other issues, updating the software may help resolve them. Here’s how you can update your iPad’s software:

Check for Updates: Open the “Settings” app on your iPad and tap on “General.” In the General settings, select “Software Update.” Your iPad will check if there are any available updates.
Download and Install: If a software update is available, you will see the option to “Download and Install.” Tap on it, and your iPad will begin downloading the update. Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi and has enough battery charge to complete the update.
Install Updates Overnight: If you don’t want to install the update right away, you can choose the “Install Tonight” option. Your iPad will install the update automatically while it’s connected to Wi-Fi and charging overnight.
Enter Passcode: In some cases, you may need to enter your device passcode to proceed with the update. Follow the on-screen instructions and provide the necessary passcode when prompted.
Wait for the Update to Complete: Once the update is downloaded, your iPad will restart to install it. This process may take some time, so it’s important to be patient and let your device complete the installation.
Set Up as New or Restore from Backup: After the update is installed, your iPad will restart and prompt you to set it up. You can either set it up as a new device or restore it from a backup, depending on your preferences.

Updating your iPad’s software not only resolves known issues but also ensures compatibility with the latest apps and services. It’s recommended to regularly check for updates and install them to keep your iPad functioning smoothly.

If your iPad continues to experience freezing or other problems even after updating the software, you may need to try additional troubleshooting steps or seek assistance from Apple Support. Updating the software is often an effective solution, but more complex issues may require further investigation.

Reset All Settings

If you’re experiencing persistent issues with your iPad, such as freezing, lagging, or unresponsive apps, resetting all settings can help resolve software-related problems. Resetting your iPad’s settings will not delete your data or media, but it will revert all system settings back to their default values. Here’s how you can reset all settings on your iPad:

Open the Settings App: Launch the “Settings” app on your iPad, which is represented by a gear icon on your home screen.
Select General: Scroll down and tap on “General” in the settings menu.
Reset All Settings: In the General settings, look for the option “Reset” and tap on it.
Choose “Reset All Settings”: On the Reset screen, you will see various options. Select “Reset All Settings” to proceed.
Enter Passcode: If you have set a passcode on your iPad, you will be prompted to enter it.
Confirm Reset: A confirmation pop-up will appear, informing you that all settings will be reset. Confirm your decision by tapping on “Reset All Settings.”
iPad Restarts: After confirming, your iPad will restart, and the settings will be reset to their default values.

It’s important to note that after resetting all settings, you will need to reconfigure certain preferences, such as Wi-Fi networks, wallpaper, accessibility settings, and notifications. Additionally, any personalized settings you had made, such as your display brightness or keyboard preferences, will be reset to default values.

Resetting all settings on your iPad can resolve software conflicts or corrupted settings that may be causing freezing or other issues. However, if the problem persists even after resetting, you may need to consider other troubleshooting steps or consult with Apple Support for further assistance.

Remember to back up your important data before performing any major reset or troubleshooting steps to ensure you don’t lose any valuable information.

Restore Your iPad to Factory Settings

If you’re experiencing severe and persistent issues with your iPad that are not resolved by other troubleshooting steps, restoring it to factory settings is a more comprehensive solution. Restoring your iPad to factory settings erases all data and settings, returning it to the original state when you first unboxed it. Here’s how you can restore your iPad to factory settings:

Backup Your Data: Before proceeding with a factory reset, it’s essential to create a backup of your important data. You can use iCloud or iTunes to backup your iPad, ensuring that you don’t lose any valuable information.
Disable Find My iPad: If you have enabled the Find My iPad feature, you’ll need to disable it before proceeding with the factory reset. Go to the “Settings” app, tap on your name, select “iCloud,” and turn off the toggle switch for “Find My iPad.”
Open the Settings App: Launch the “Settings” app on your iPad, represented by a gear icon on your home screen.
Select General: In the settings menu, scroll down and tap on “General.”
Reset: Look for the “Reset” option and tap on it.
Erase All Content and Settings: On the Reset screen, select “Erase All Content and Settings.”
Enter Passcode: If prompted, enter your passcode to proceed with the factory reset.
Confirm the Reset: A warning message will appear, informing you that all data will be erased. Confirm your decision by tapping on “Erase Now.”
iPad Restarts: Your iPad will now begin the erasing process and will restart automatically once it’s complete.
Set Up Your iPad: After the restart, you’ll be guided through the initial setup process, similar to when you first got your iPad. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device.
Restore Your Data: Once the setup is complete, you can restore your data from the backup you created earlier. Use iCloud or iTunes to restore your data and settings.

Restoring your iPad to factory settings should only be done if other troubleshooting steps have been unsuccessful. It’s a drastic measure that erases all data, so it’s crucial to have a backup in place to restore your important information afterward.

If the issues persist even after restoring your iPad to factory settings, it may be necessary to contact Apple Support for further assistance. They can provide additional guidance and help diagnose any underlying hardware or software problems.

Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and your iPad is still experiencing persistent issues, it may be time to seek assistance from Apple Support. Apple offers various support options to help you diagnose and resolve issues with your iPad. Here are a few ways you can contact Apple Support:

Apple Support Website: Visit the official Apple Support website (www.apple.com/support) to access support articles, user guides, troubleshooting resources, and community forums. You can search for specific topics related to your iPad issue or browse through the available information to find a solution.
Contact Apple Support via Phone: If you prefer speaking with a representative, you can contact Apple Support by phone. Visit the Apple Support website and navigate to the “Contact Support” section. From there, choose the specific product category (in this case, iPad), select the issue you’re experiencing, and choose the option to “Talk to Apple Support.” You’ll be provided with a phone number to reach Apple Support directly.
Apple Support App: Download the Apple Support app from the App Store on your iPad. The app provides a convenient way to access support resources, schedule appointments at Apple Stores or authorized service providers, and chat with Apple Support representatives.
Visit an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider: If you prefer in-person assistance, you can schedule an appointment at an Apple Store or an authorized service provider. They can diagnose and provide repair services for your iPad.
Apple Support on Social Media: Apple provides support through their official social media accounts, such as Twitter (@AppleSupport). You can reach out to them via direct message or by mentioning them with your issue, and they may provide further guidance or direct you to appropriate support resources.

When contacting Apple Support, it’s helpful to have your iPad’s serial number and any relevant details about the issue you’re experiencing. This information will assist the support representatives in diagnosing and resolving the problem more efficiently.

Remember to be patient and provide clear and concise information when contacting Apple Support. They are there to assist you and will work towards finding a solution for your iPad’s issues.

By seeking help from Apple Support, you can get expert guidance and assistance specific to your iPad’s problem, ensuring that you receive the appropriate solution or repair needed.