How to Wipe an iPad Clean without Passcode

This guide will show you how to wipe an iPad clean before selling. It's possible to wipe iPad without passcode.

Lena

By Lena / Updated on July 21, 2023

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How to wipe an iPad clean

I want to give away my old iPad to my cousin, This iPad has been used for 3 years and I wish to give him a clean iPad so what should I do to remove the content on it?

- Question from Apple Community

When you got your new iPad, it’s time to say goodbye to your old iPad but it might still stay in good condition. It is a pity to abandon it. Giving it to your friend or family or selling it to a stranger would be a good choice.

It's necessary to wipe iPad clean. Although iPad carries not so much private data as your iPhone does and usually it is used for recreation like watching videos, it could still store your important information.

iPad

It would be embarrassing if another one saw what you did on this iPad. What’s worse, the bad guy will hack your information for lucrative use. Therefore, you need to carefully handle your old iPad before you change ownership. Read the sections in this guide to clear iPad data for sale or other use.

Section 1. How to Wipe an iPad Clean Manually

Before you sign out your Apple ID on the iPad, the data will not be removed so if you would give away the iPad to your family or friend and don’t mind keeping the Apple ID on this iPad, you need to manually remove some content by yourself. Before you delete anything, backup iPad in case that you regret.

Note: If you use the same ID on your new iPad, data like photos, contacts, and messages would be still shared via iCloud later on.

Here is the checklist of which data to clear for you:

Contacts, messages, photos, mail, safari, movies, note, voice memo, IM apps, documents, keyboard dictionary, etc.

Documents are usually neglected. There are stored in the File app on iPad. Keyboard dictionary might reveal your contacts names, accounts, or passwords. You can delete in iPad Settings > General > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary. To uninstall any app on this iPad, you just need to press and hold the icon and then select Uninstall App. Some app data would be totally deleted after you restart this iPad.

Tips: If you want to remove one app from your iPad for some time but keep the data, you can uninstall the app in Settings > General > iPad Storage. The data will be automatically restored after you reinstall it in App Store.

Section 2. How to Wipe an iPad Clean in Settings

Worry about missing any private information on iPad? You can ruthlessly delete everything on your iPad in 1 step. This will erase your iPad instantly, do backup iPad to computer before you get regretful.

You need to disable Find My in Settings or you will be asked the Apple ID and password to disable it later when erasing this iPad.

Steps to factory reset iPad: Open Settings app on iPad > select General > select Reset > select Erase all Content and Settings > input your passcode and then erase this iPad. 

Erase All Content and Settings iPad

Section 3. How to Wipe iPad without Passcode

With a passcode, you can erase your iPad in Settings but how can you delete all the iPad without passcode? iPad will be disabled after too many wrong passcodes were tried. In other situations, factory resetting iPad will fix some issues when your iPad is frozen. If you can’t enter your passcode, you need the help of iTunes.

1. Download the latest iTunes and connect iPad to computer.

2. If there is a Home button available on your iPad: Press and hold it and the top button until you see iPad has run into recovery mode.

If there is no Home button on your iPad: Press and quickly release the Volume + button, do the same action to Volume – button, press and hold the Top button and then your iPad will restart. You should keep pressing the Top button until you see iPad has run into recovery mode.

3. There would be a prompt in iTunes and you need to click Restore to erase iPad.

iTunes Repair iPhone Recover Mode

Section 4. How to Wipe iPad Clean with Professional Tool

If you want to wipe iPad before selling, it's recommended to let a professional tool help you delete everything. FoneTool is a very professional iOS data management tool that offers data erase function. The tool will erase data multiple times, making data recovery impossible.

How to Wipe iPhone Clean before Selling

Step 1. Download FoneTool and connect iPad to your computer. It supports all iPad Pro/Air/mini.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

Before erasing the iPad, you can backup important photos, videos, songs and more with the Selective Backup function of FoneTool. Besides, you can choose to transfer old iPad to new iPad with the transfer function.

Step 2. Click Toolbox > Select Data Eraser.

Erase iPhone

Step 3. Go to Erase all data.

Erase all data

Step 4. Adjust the settings according to your situation.

Erase Options

Step 5. Click Erase Data to wipe your iPad.

Begin Erase

Conclusion

That's all about how to clean an iPhone clean. Clearing your iPad data before handing over it to another person could protect your private information. This guide has offered you 4 ways how to wipe an iPad clean. Choose the proper way you like. If you want to make sure that data cannot be recovered, the professional software FoneTool is the way to go.

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