iPad guide: models, setup, screenshots, restart, reset and battery fixes

Every iPad uses one of two button layouts, a Home button or a top button only, and that layout decides how you take a screenshot, restart, force restart and reset it.

This iPad user guide covers models, setup, settings, apps, screenshots, restarts, resets, backups and battery fixes, with the short answer for each job first.

iPad user guide: get started with the Home button or top button

A round Home button below the screen means the middle column applies. No Home button means the right column, on Face ID and top-button Touch ID models alike, which is why the screenshot shortcut is different on every iPad.

Job	iPad with a Home button	iPad without a Home button
Wake or lock	Press the top button	Press the top button
Turn on	Hold the top button until the Apple logo appears	Hold the top button until the Apple logo appears
Turn off	Hold the top button, then drag the slider	Hold the top button and either volume button, then drag the slider
Go to the Home Screen	Press the Home button	Swipe up from the bottom of the screen
Siri	Hold the Home button	Hold the top button
Screenshot	Press top and Home together, then release	Press top and either volume button together, then release
Force restart	Hold top and Home until the Apple logo appears	Press the volume button nearest the top button, then the farthest one, then hold top until the Apple logo appears
Recovery mode (on a cable to a computer)	Hold Home and top until the computer-and-cable screen appears	Volume, volume, then hold top until the computer-and-cable screen appears
Guided Access shortcut	Triple-click the Home button	Triple-click the top button

iPad models: how to find your model number and generation

Open Settings > General > About and tap the part number beside Model Number to see the model number, such as A3354. Some iPads also print it on the back.

Model	Year	Wi-Fi model number	Buttons
iPad (A16)	2025	A3354	Touch ID in the top button
iPad (10th generation)	2022	A2696	Touch ID in the top button
iPad (9th generation)	2021	A2602	Home button with Touch ID
iPad mini (A17 Pro)	2024	A2993	Touch ID in the top button
iPad Air 11-inch and 13-inch (M4)	2026	A3459, A3461	Touch ID in the top button
iPad Pro 11-inch and 13-inch (M5)	2025	A3357, A3360	Face ID

The full list of iPad generations gives every release since 2010, and you can compare the iPad (A16) and iPad Air (M4) before you buy. Only Wi-Fi + Cellular models take cellular service, which rules out a data plan on a Wi-Fi iPad.

Set up your iPad

Have your Wi-Fi password and Apple Account ready. A nearby iPhone or iPad on iOS 11, iPadOS 13 or later can copy its settings across.

1. Press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
2. Hold your current iPhone or iPad close and follow the prompts, or tap Set Up Without Another Device.
3. Join Wi-Fi, or use cellular data on a Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
4. Sign in with your Apple Account, or create one.
5. On Transfer Your Apps & Data, choose From iCloud Backup, From Android or another option, then set a passcode.

Apple also supports setup over a cable to a computer, which helps when you need to skip Wi-Fi during iPad setup. If the Apple Account step rejects your password or code, sort out Apple Account sign-in and recovery first.

iPad passcodes & Touch ID or Face ID

Touch ID and Face ID need a passcode first, and the iPad asks for that passcode after every restart.

1. Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode, or Touch ID & Passcode on Touch ID models.
2. Tap Turn Passcode On and enter six digits, or tap Passcode Options for another format.
3. Enter the passcode again to confirm it.
4. On Touch ID models, tap Add a Fingerprint and rest your finger on the sensor until enrollment finishes.

A Screen Time passcode is separate; on iPadOS 27, change it in Settings > Screen Time > Passcode & Management. If you forgot the restrictions passcode, your Apple Account resets it when Screen Time Passcode Recovery was set up.

Guided Access in Settings > Accessibility keeps a child in one app: triple-click the top or Home button, then turn Touch off to lock the iPad screen from touch.

The Settings app and Control Center on iPad

Swipe down from the top-right edge to open Control Center, and swipe up from the bottom center to close it. Touch and hold a control for more options.

To change	In Settings, go to	Notes
Model number, iPadOS version	General > About	Tap the part number for the model number
Updates	General > Software Update	Automatic Updates lives here
Battery	Battery	Low Power Mode and Battery Health
Reset or erase	General > Transfer or Reset iPad	Reset keeps data; Erase All Content and Settings wipes it
Wallpaper	Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper	Set as Wallpaper Pair covers both screens
Liquid Glass, text size	Appearance	Slide Liquid Glass toward tinted or clear; Reduce Transparency overrides it if you want to tone down Liquid Glass
Windows	Multitasking & Gestures	Full Screen Apps, Windowed Apps or Stage Manager
Screenshot previews	General > Screen Capture	Full-Screen Previews on or off
iCloud sync	Your name > iCloud > See All	Turn on the apps that sync your iPhone and iPad
Control Center in apps	Control Center	Access Within Apps on or off

For a personal touch, tap Customize Home Screen after you add a wallpaper to tint or blur it behind your apps.

How to install an app on iPad

1. Open the App Store; it needs an internet connection and an Apple Account.
2. Tap the search icon and type the app's name.
3. Tap the app to check its size, compatibility and privacy details.
4. Tap Get, or the price, then confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
5. Find the app under Recently Added in App Library.

The Apple Books app for iPad is free with no subscription. WhatsApp now has its own iPad app for iPadOS 15.1 or newer, so WhatsApp on an iPad mini gets chats, calls and screen sharing without a browser.

Boost your creativity with Apple Pencil and iPad apps

Turn on Scribble in Settings > Apple Pencil to convert handwriting in any text field into typed text.

App	What you make	Price and requirements
Freeform whiteboard app	Boards for diagrams and Apple Pencil sketches	Free
GarageBand music studio	Songs with touch instruments, loops and free sounds	App Store; projects open in Logic Pro for iPad
iMovie video editor	Video edits across iPhone, iPad and Mac	App Store
Final Cut Pro for iPad	Professional video editing	Apple Creator Studio; M1 or later, iPad (A16) or iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPadOS 18.6 or later
Logic Pro for iPad	Music production and beat-making	Apple Creator Studio; iPadOS 26 or later, A12 Bionic or later
Pages, Numbers and Keynote	Documents, spreadsheets and slides	Free

Apple Creator Studio costs $12.99 a month or $129 a year after a one-month free trial.

Multitask with iPad

Settings > Multitasking & Gestures offers three layouts: Full Screen Apps, Windowed Apps and Stage Manager.

1. Select Windowed Apps in Settings > Multitasking & Gestures.
2. Open an app and drag the bottom-right handle to resize its window; drag the top edge to move it.
3. Tap a second app in the Dock or App Library to open it alongside.
4. For a split screen, tap Window > Move & Resize > Left & Right in the menu bar.
5. Tap Window > Enter Full Screen to fill the screen again.

Stage Manager groups windows by task and lists other apps on the left. Swipe up from the bottom twice to minimize every window.

How to use iPad as a second monitor with a Mac or Windows 11 PC

Sidecar extends or mirrors a Mac desktop. It needs macOS Catalina or later and iPad (6th generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) or later, or any iPad Pro.

1. Sign in to the Mac and iPad with the same Apple Account, using two-factor authentication.
2. Turn on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff within 10 meters (30 feet), or connect a USB cable and trust the Mac.
3. On the Mac, hover over a window's full-screen button and choose to move it to the iPad, or drag it across.
4. To mirror instead, pick the iPad under Screen Mirroring in Control Center.
5. Change sidebar options in System Settings > Displays on macOS Ventura or later.

Sidecar works only with a Mac, so on a Windows 11 PC you use an iPad as a second monitor through a third-party display app.

How to update iOS or iPadOS on an iPad

iPadOS updates come from the same Software Update screen that iPhones use for iOS.

1. Back up the iPad, plug it in and connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Open Settings > General > Software Update.
3. Tap Download and Install and follow the prompts.
4. Tap Automatic Updates and turn on Automatically Install for overnight updates while it charges.

If it asks to remove apps for space, tap Continue; they reinstall afterwards. A VPN or proxy can block the update servers.

Which iPad screenshot method should you use?

Alternative ways to capture your iPad screen help when a button is broken or Apple Pencil is already in your hand.

Method	How	Best for
Home button iPad	Press top and Home together, then release	Home button models such as iPad (9th generation)
Top-button iPad	Press top and either volume button together, then release	Face ID and top-button Touch ID models
Apple Pencil	Swipe up from the bottom-left corner	Marking up while you draw
Finger corner swipe	Set Swipe Finger from Corner in Multitasking & Gestures, then swipe up from a bottom corner	One-handed captures
AssistiveTouch or Siri	Use either instead of the buttons	A broken button

If you screenshot an iPad often, the corner swipe saves a two-button press.

Take a screenshot on iPad and review your screenshots

1. Press your model's buttons together and release them quickly.
2. Open the preview; it shows full screen unless Full-Screen Previews is off, which gives a lower-left thumbnail.
3. Crop with the handles, annotate with Markup, or tap Full Page for a whole webpage.
4. Save it; screenshots go to your photo library.
5. Review them in Photos > Collections > Media Types > Screenshots.

To change the default settings for screenshots, use Settings > General > Screen Capture. Tips for better iPad screenshots: crop before sharing, and use Full Page instead of several captures.

Screenshots still not working on your iPad?

Pressing the buttons turns off the iPad

Holding the top and volume buttons opens the power-off slider.

1. Press both buttons at the same moment.
2. Release them right away.
3. On a Home button iPad, use the top and Home buttons.

No screenshot thumbnail appears

Full-Screen Previews is on, so the screenshot opens full screen.

1. Open Settings > General > Screen Capture.
2. Turn off Full-Screen Previews.

Screenshots are missing from Files

Screenshots save to the photo library, not Files.

1. Open Photos and tap Collections.
2. Tap Screenshots under Media Types.

A button is broken

A damaged button can't complete the combination.

1. Use AssistiveTouch, Siri or Apple Pencil instead.
2. Set up service with Apple if a restart doesn't help.

Soft restart: your first move for a sluggish iPad

A restart turns the iPad off and on and erases nothing. Apple suggests it first when an iPad isn't working as expected.

1. Without a Home button, hold either volume button and the top button until the slider appears; with one, hold the top button.
2. Drag the slider and wait 30 seconds.
3. Hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
4. Or use Settings > General > Shut Down, or hold the power icon in Control Center.

Soft reset the iPad this way whenever it's acting up. If the buttons are awkward to reach, turn off an iPad from Settings; a frozen screen needs a force restart.

Force restart: for when your iPad won’t respond at all

Use it when the screen ignores touches. It keeps your apps and data, and people often call it a hard reset.

1. Without a Home button, press and quickly release the volume button nearest the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Hold the top button and release it when the Apple logo appears.
4. With a Home button, hold the top and Home buttons together until the Apple logo appears.

That volume, volume, top sequence is the hard reboot for iPads without a Home button. A black screen may need up to an hour of charging before it responds.

Which reset method should you use?

Start with the lightest fix. Only erasing and a recovery-mode restore wipe the iPad.

Your situation	Reset to use	What it erases
Slow, glitchy or one app misbehaving	Soft restart	Nothing
Frozen screen	Force restart, the same sequence as the iPad Pro hard reset	Nothing
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or settings problems after a restart	Reset All Settings in Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset	Settings only, such as Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings and wallpaper
Selling or starting clean	Erase All Content and Settings	Everything on the iPad; iCloud content stays in iCloud
Forgot the passcode	Forgot Passcode? on the Lock Screen, or recovery mode	Everything, unless your previous passcode still works within 72 hours
Lost or stolen	Erase This Device at icloud.com/find	Everything; Activation Lock stays on
Stuck on the Apple logo	Recovery mode, then Update	Try Update first; Restore erases everything

Tips to make the reset go smoothly: back up, plug in, and know your Apple Account password. Apple calls Reset All Settings rarely necessary.

What happens when you factory reset an iPad?

Erase All Content and Settings returns the iPad to factory settings.

Item	After the factory reset
Apps, photos, messages, settings, Apple Pay cards	Deleted from the iPad
Content stored in iCloud	Stays in iCloud
iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, Game Center	Turned off on the iPad
Find My and Activation Lock	Turned off when you erase on the iPad
Remote erase in Find My	Activation Lock stays on until your Apple Account password is entered
eSIM	Keep or delete it; deleting means your carrier reactivates the plan
Last screen	The Hello screen, ready to set up or restore a backup

How to backup iPad using iCloud

1. Connect the iPad to Wi-Fi.
2. Open Settings, tap your name, then tap iCloud > iCloud Backup.
3. Tap Back Up Now and stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes.
4. Check the time of the last backup under Back Up Now.
5. Turn on Back Up This iPad for automatic backups while the iPad charges, locked, on Wi-Fi.

iCloud backups skip data that already syncs, such as iCloud Photos. To restore an iPad from a backup, erase it, then choose From iCloud Backup during setup.

How to backup your iPad to your Windows PC or Mac

A computer backup holds almost all of the iPad's data and settings.

1. Connect the iPad to the computer with a cable.
2. On a Mac, open Finder and select the iPad; on Windows, open the Apple Devices app and click General.
3. Tap Trust on the iPad and enter your passcode if asked.
4. Select Encrypt local backup to keep Health and Activity data, and store the password safely.
5. Click Back Up Now and wait for the last-backup time to appear.

Apple Devices comes from the Microsoft Store and restores the iPad later too, one of the Apple apps for Windows PCs. On a Mac, backup size depends on free disk space, so check it with the Mac storage and update tips first.

How to factory reset your iPad from Settings

Back up first, because this erases everything.

1. Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad.
2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings, then Continue.
3. On a cellular model, choose to keep or delete the eSIM.
4. Enter your passcode, then your Apple Account password.
5. Wait for the iPad to reset and show the Hello screen.

This is how to wipe an iPad you can still unlock. Without the passcode, use a route below, or the model-by-model steps to factory reset an iPad.

How to factory reset an iPad without a passcode (recovery mode)

Forgot your passcode? Within 72 hours of changing it, tap Forgot Passcode? > Enter Previous Passcode on iPadOS 17 or later. Otherwise, erase the iPad from its Lock Screen or in recovery mode with a computer.

1. Unplug and turn off the iPad, then connect it to a Mac or PC with a cable.
2. Without a Home button, press volume nearest the top button, then volume farthest, then hold the top button.
3. With a Home button, hold the Home and top buttons together.
4. Release when the computer-and-cable screen appears.
5. Select the iPad in Finder or Apple Devices and choose Restore.
6. If the iPad leaves recovery mode after 15 minutes, let the download finish and start again.

No computer? On iPadOS 17 or later, enter passcodes until iPad Unavailable appears, tap Forgot Passcode? > Start iPad Reset, and enter your Apple Account password; Find My and a network connection are required.

The computer restore is also how you fix a disabled iPad after ten failed passcodes. iPhones use the same restore with their own buttons, listed with the iPhone recovery mode and reset steps.

How to erase an iPad remotely with iCloud Find My

This works only if Find My was on before the iPad went missing.

1. Go to icloud.com/find and sign in with your Apple Account.
2. Select the iPad in the list of devices.
3. Select Erase This Device and follow the onscreen steps.
4. If the iPad is offline, the erase starts when it reconnects; Stop Erase Request cancels it.

The Find My app on another Apple device does the same under Devices. To factory reset an iPad remotely before handing it on, remove it from your account too, or Activation Lock blocks the next owner.

Setting up your iPad for a new owner

Sign out before you erase, so Activation Lock comes off.

1. Back up the iPad.
2. Open Settings, tap your name, then tap Sign Out.
3. On iPadOS 26 or later, choose Erase this iPad, or Sign Out But Don't Erase to erase separately.
4. If you only signed out, tap General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings.
5. Remove the iPad from your list of trusted devices.

Before a trade-in, check Parts and Service History for a Finish Repair message. Selling an iPhone too? The same steps apply, and iPhone battery, Wi-Fi and call fixes help with the phone you keep.

When a soft restart, force restart, or factory reset isn’t enough

If your iPad is still having trouble after a reset, match the symptom below.

iPad stuck on the Apple logo

iPadOS can't finish starting and needs reinstalling from a computer.

1. Connect the iPad to Finder on a Mac, or Apple Devices on a PC.
2. Enter recovery mode with your model's buttons.
3. Choose Update; if that fails, choose Restore, which erases the iPad.
4. If both fail, restore from an IPSW file.

iPad won't turn on after a force restart

The battery is fully drained.

1. Charge the iPad for up to an hour.
2. Force restart it again.
3. Set up service with Apple if the screen stays dark.

iPad asks for the previous owner's Apple Account

Activation Lock is still on.

1. Ask the previous owner to enter their password, or to remove the iPad from their account in a browser.
2. Don't keep a used iPad that stays locked to another account.

No computer for a restore

Recovery mode needs a Mac or Windows PC.

1. Use Forgot Passcode? on the Lock Screen if the iPad is locked.
2. Visit an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.

How to charge your iPad

1. Connect the iPad to a power outlet with the included cable and adapter.
2. Or use a computer that's turned on; one that's off can drain the battery.
3. If Not Charging appears, the computer can't supply enough power, so use the wall adapter.
4. If Settings > Battery shows Slow Charger, use a stronger adapter; 7.5-watt chargers or weaker take longer.

iPad fast-charges to about 80 percent, then trickle-charges. Choose the right iPad cable and adapter, because a low-power charger triggers the Slow Charger message.

How to check iPad battery health

Battery Health shows only on supported models.

1. Open Settings > Battery to see Daily Usage and the apps using the most battery.
2. Tap Battery Health for capacity, cycle count and manufacture date.
3. Turn on 80% Limit on the same screen to stop charging at 80 percent.
4. Turn on Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery when the charge runs low.

Apple suggests the 80% Limit if you charge often or stay plugged in for long periods, so factor it in when you decide when to charge an iPad. Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider should service the battery when you need to replace an iPad battery.

Common iPad problems and fixes

Match the symptom to a row, then try the fix in order.

Problem	Likely cause	Fix
Ghost touching	Debris or water on the screen, a charger, a case or screen protector	Restart, clean the screen, unplug accessories and remove the case, then fix iPad ghost touching
Frozen screen	Software stopped responding	Force restart
Black screen	Drained battery	Charge for up to an hour, then force restart
Battery drains fast	Higher app or background activity	Check Settings > Battery, then turn on Low Power Mode
Album songs missing in the iTunes Store	A store service or connection problem	Check Apple's System Status page, then try the iTunes Store album song fixes
WhatsApp chats missing on iPad	A known WhatsApp issue: some linked devices don't show a year of history	Update WhatsApp, check the phone for full history, or fix WhatsApp partial syncing
OneDrive missing in Files	OneDrive isn't turned on as a location	Sign in to OneDrive, turn it on under Browse > More > Edit in Files, or find missing OneDrive files

iPad user guide FAQ

What is the use of an iPad?

An iPad runs App Store apps on a large touchscreen. People use it for reading, video, video calls, notes and drawing with Apple Pencil, documents in Pages, music in GarageBand, and as a second display for a Mac.

How do I use an iPad?

Hold the top button to turn it on and follow the setup screens. Swipe up from the bottom, or press the Home button, to reach the Home Screen, tap an app to open it, and change everything else in Settings.

Can I use my iPad as a second monitor?

Yes, with a Mac. Sidecar extends or mirrors the desktop on iPad (6th generation) or later, iPad mini (5th generation) or later, iPad Air (3rd generation) or later and every iPad Pro, wirelessly or over USB.

Can I use my iPad as a second monitor with a Windows PC?

Not with Sidecar, which requires a Mac running macOS Catalina or later. A Windows 11 PC needs a third-party display app instead, so check that app's requirements for both the PC and your iPad model.

How do I use the iPad (A16)?

The iPad (A16) has no Home button and puts Touch ID in the top button. Rest your finger there to unlock, swipe up to go Home, press top and volume for a screenshot, and use volume, volume, top to force restart.

How do I use Apple Pencil on an iPad?

Center Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (2nd generation) on the magnetic connector, or plug in a 1st-generation Pencil, then tap Pair. Write in text fields with Scribble, or swipe from the bottom-left corner for a screenshot.

How do I take notes on an iPad with a pen?

Swipe Apple Pencil up from the bottom-right corner to open a Quick Note and start writing, or open the Notes app. Turn on Scribble in Settings > Apple Pencil to turn handwriting into typed text.