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How to Erase Your iPad Before You Sell It

Delete your personal information and protect your privacy

By Andy O'Donnell Andy O'Donnell Writer Auburn University Andy O'Donnell, MA, is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and a senior security engineer who is active in internet and network security. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 20, 2021 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apple iPad Macs

What to Know

Back up your iPad data to iCloud: Tap Settings > Your Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.Erase your data from iPad: Tap Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This article explains how to back up your data on your iPad and then how to erase the iPad in preparation for trading it in on a newer model, selling it, or giving it away. This information applies to iPads with iPadOS 15 through iPadOS 13 and iOS 12.

Back Up Your Data With iCloud

Making a backup of your documents, settings, and other data on iCloud makes for a smooth transition to your new iPad. Just restore your data after you get the new one up and running. Here's how: To back up your iPad to iCloud before you wipe its data: Tap the Settings icon. Select your Apple ID from the top of the Settings page, and then select iCloud from the right side of the screen. Choose iCloud Backup. Tap Back Up Now. If you haven't enabled this feature, tap the switch next to iCloud Backup to turn it on. After your backup completes, check the date and time next to Last successful backup to ensure that the backup finished successfully. Make sure your outgoing device has the latest version of iPadOS before running your final backup. Obtaining the most recent update helps prevent potential version incompatibility issues since your new iPad will likely come preloaded with the most current version of iPadOS. Check for a new update from Settings > General > Software Update. You can also perform an iPad backup with your Mac or PC.

How to Erase Your iPad' s Data

The most important part of preparing your iPad for sale is ensuring that you remove all traces of your identity from it. Don't sell or give away an iPad without wiping its data first. Tap the Settings icon. Select General. Choose Reset (or Transfer or Reset iPad in iOS 15). Tap Erase All Content and Settings. If you see a message that says you're still backing up to iCloud, select Backup Then Erase to complete the backup first. Even if you recently backed up your iPad to iCloud, you may receive a prompt asking you to either perform another backup or proceed with the erasure. If you have a passcode (unlock code) enabled, enter it in the next window. Choose Erase when the pop-up menu appears. If you enabled restrictions, enter your restriction passcode. Confirm the erase a second time. Choose Erase again. Depending on the version of iOS installed on the iPad, you may need to enter your Apple ID account password to remove it from the iPad. You need access to the internet (via Wi-Fi or cellular connection) to perform this step.

Look for the Hello Screen

Once the wipe and reset process begins, the screen goes blank for up to several minutes as the iPad wipes your data and restores it to its factory settings. You will likely see a progress bar showing the status of the wipe and reset process. When the iPad finishes the process, you see the Hello or Welcome Setup Assistant screen as if you were setting up the iPad for the first time. If you don't see the Hello or Welcome screen, something in the wipe process didn't work correctly, and you need to repeat the process. Failure to do so may result in ​whoever obtains your iPad accessing your personal information and data. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Reset Your iPad and Erase All Content How to Reset Restrictions Passcode on an iPhone How to Erase Your Kindle to Sell It How to Reset an iPad Mini How to Factory Reset an iPhone (All Models) How to Restore an iPad to Factory Default Using iTunes How to Restore Your iPod Touch to Factory Settings How to Wipe Your MacBook Pro How to Pair and Connect an Apple Watch With a New iPhone How to Restore Your iPhone From a Backup How to Reset MacBook Air How to Set up and Use iCloud on the iPad How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on Any Phone How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos From iCloud iPad iCloud: How to Back Up and Restore How to Upgrade to a New iPad Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies