Soft resetting your iPad Pro is a fundamental troubleshooting step that can resolve a myriad of minor software glitches without erasing any of your precious data. Think of it as giving your iPad a quick, refreshing nap, allowing it to clear its temporary memory and restart its processes. This guide will walk you through the process, step by step, ensuring you can confidently perform a soft reset whenever your iPad Pro acts a little out of sorts.
Let's dive in!
Step 1: Identify the Symptoms and Decide if a Soft Reset is Right for You!
Before we even touch a button, let's consider why you're here. Is your iPad Pro:
- Freezing or becoming unresponsive?
- Apps crashing frequently?
- Experiencing slow performance?
- Having minor network connectivity issues (Wi-Fi or cellular)?
- Displaying strange graphical glitches?
- Not charging properly (though this could be a hardware issue too)?
If you answered yes to any of these, a soft reset is likely your first, best course of action. It's a non-invasive procedure, so you have absolutely nothing to lose by trying it. It will not delete your photos, apps, or documents.
Step 2: Locate the Essential Buttons on Your iPad Pro
Now that you're ready, let's get acquainted with the buttons you'll be using. The method for soft resetting an iPad Pro varies slightly depending on whether your model has a Home button or not.
2.1: iPad Pro Models Without a Home Button (e.g., 2018 models and later)
These are the iPad Pro models with the all-screen design. You'll be using the following:
- Volume Up button: Located on the top edge when holding your iPad in portrait mode.
- Volume Down button: Also on the top edge, just below the Volume Up button.
- Top Button (also known as the Sleep/Wake or Power button): This is the elongated button on the top edge, opposite the volume buttons.
2.2: iPad Pro Models With a Home Button (e.g., older generations like the 2017 model)
These iPad Pro models have the familiar circular button below the screen. You'll be using:
- Home Button: The circular button below the screen.
- Top Button (Sleep/Wake or Power button): Located on the top edge.
Step 3: Execute the Soft Reset – The Specifics for Your iPad Pro Model
Here's where we get into the actual button presses. Follow the instructions carefully for your specific iPad Pro model.
3.1: Soft Resetting an iPad Pro Without a Home Button (The Quick Press & Hold Method)
This method involves a rapid sequence of button presses followed by a sustained hold. Speed and timing are key here!
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Don't hold it down; just a quick tap.
- Immediately after, press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Again, a quick tap, no holding.
- Finally, press and hold the Top Button (Sleep/Wake/Power button). Keep holding this button down. Do not release it even when you see the "Slide to Power Off" slider appear.
- Continue holding the Top Button until the Apple logo appears on your screen. This usually takes about 10-15 seconds.
- Once the Apple logo appears, you can release the Top Button. Your iPad Pro will then proceed to boot up normally.
If you don't see the Apple logo, or if the "Slide to Power Off" appears and your iPad doesn't restart, you might not have executed the quick presses correctly. Simply try again from step 1.
3.2: Soft Resetting an iPad Pro With a Home Button (The Classic Home + Top Button Method)
This method is simpler, involving holding down two buttons simultaneously.
- Press and hold both the Home Button and the Top Button (Sleep/Wake/Power button) at the same time.
- Continue holding both buttons down. Do not release them when the "Slide to Power Off" slider appears.
- Keep holding until the Apple logo appears on your screen. This typically takes around 10-15 seconds.
- Once the Apple logo appears, you can release both buttons. Your iPad Pro will then boot up.
Step 4: Verify the Success of the Soft Reset
After your iPad Pro has restarted, observe its behavior.
- Are the previous issues resolved?
- Are apps launching smoothly?
- Is it more responsive?
Hopefully, your iPad Pro is now running much more smoothly!
Step 5: When to Consider Further Troubleshooting (If a Soft Reset Isn't Enough)
While a soft reset is incredibly effective for minor glitches, some issues might require more robust solutions. If your iPad Pro continues to experience problems after a soft reset, consider these next steps:
- Check for Software Updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. An outdated operating system can often be the culprit of various issues.
- Force Quit Apps: If a specific app is causing problems, try force-quitting it by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or double-pressing the Home button) to bring up the App Switcher, then swiping the problematic app's card off the top of the screen.
- Reset All Settings: This can resolve configuration issues without erasing data. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Restore from a Backup: If you have a recent backup, restoring your iPad Pro to that point can fix deeper software corruption.
- Factory Reset: This is a last resort, as it erases all data on your iPad. Always back up your iPad first! Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Contact Apple Support: If all else fails, there might be a hardware issue, and Apple Support can provide further diagnostics and solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to soft reset iPad Pro when it's completely frozen?
Hold down the correct button combination (Volume Up + Volume Down then Top button for no Home button, or Home + Top button for Home button models) even if the screen is unresponsive.
How to soft reset iPad Pro without losing data?
A soft reset never results in data loss. It's a safe troubleshooting step.
How to soft reset iPad Pro if the buttons are stuck?
If the physical buttons are stuck, you won't be able to perform a soft reset. You'll need to contact Apple Support for repair.
How to soft reset iPad Pro in recovery mode?
A soft reset is different from recovery mode. Recovery mode is for more serious software issues and typically involves connecting to a computer. A soft reset is simply restarting the device.
How to soft reset iPad Pro if it won't turn on?
If your iPad Pro won't turn on at all, a soft reset might not be enough. Try charging it for at least 30 minutes, then attempt the soft reset. If it still doesn't turn on, it could be a battery or hardware issue.
How to soft reset iPad Pro with a broken screen?
If the screen is broken to the point where you cannot see anything or interact with it, you won't be able to confirm the Apple logo appearance. You can still attempt the button sequence, but without visual feedback, it's difficult to know if it worked. A screen repair would likely be necessary.
How to soft reset iPad Pro using assistive touch?
Assistive Touch does not have a direct "soft reset" option. It allows you to simulate button presses for volume or lock screen, but not the specific force-restart sequence.
How to soft reset iPad Pro to fix battery drain?
While a soft reset can sometimes resolve minor software glitches contributing to battery drain, it's not a direct fix for underlying battery health issues. Check battery usage in settings and consider battery health if problems persist.
How to soft reset iPad Pro for network issues?
A soft reset can often clear temporary network glitches. If problems persist, try resetting network settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset Network Settings).
How to soft reset iPad Pro when it's stuck on the Apple logo?
If your iPad Pro is stuck on the Apple logo, a soft reset is the first thing to try. If it remains stuck after multiple attempts, you may need to enter recovery mode and restore it via a computer.
