How to format your iPad before selling or recycling it

We store all kinds of personal information in our electronic devices which we keep secret for security reasons. So, if you are thinking about changing your iPad, selling it, recycling it or giving it away, it is important to back it up and subsequently delete your important data.

Subsequently, we explain what you can do to protect this information, quickly and easily without taking a long time.

What should you do before selling your iPad Pro?

Before selling or trading your iPad Pro, we recommend that you transfer your information to the new iOS device you purchased and then delete it from the one you intend to dispose of. Follow these steps to get it right:  




Transfer your information

In this case, Quick Launch allows you to easily transfer information from your iPad to another iOS device, if you are using iOS 11 or later devices. You have to follow these steps: 

  1. You will need to place the new device next to the one you are about to format: and wait for its screen to show you the quick start option (Bluetooth must be turned on for this to happen) and you can set it up with your Apple ID.
  2. A few seconds after pressing Continue: An animation will appear on the screen of the new device. With the device having information, you need to center it and wait for the Finish option to appear on the new one.
  3. The new device will ask you to enter the password for the current one: From there you will have to follow the instructions to set up the new device with Face ID or Touch ID.
  4. Finally , you will be asked for your Apple ID key and the codes of all the devices you have connected.

How to format your iPad before selling or recycling it




For iOS 10 or earlier, you can transfer data using iCloud, iTunes, or the Finder. Here's how to do it. 

Before transferring your data via iCloud, it is imperative that you make sure the new device is not configured. If not, go to factory reset and then do the following:

  1. Find the Wi-Fi screen and connect to a network. After following the steps that will appear below, you will find the Apps and data screen. You will need to select the option to restore iCloud backup.
  2. You will need to log in to iCloud with your Apple ID and password. Select the most recent backup when prompted.
  3. If you have previously used more than one Apple ID, you will be prompted to sign in to each of them. In case you don't remember every password, you can skip this step with the Don't have Apple ID or have you forgotten it?
  4. You must keep connected until the reset process is complete, in so that your items stored in iCloud are automatically downloaded to your new device, always remaining connected to the Wi-Fi network.

To backup from iTunes or Finder, the first two steps are basically the same, but instead of selecting Restore iCloud Backup, you have to press Restore from Mac to PC. From there, you need to connect the new device to your computer.

How to format your iPad before selling or recycling it

It must be the same one used for backing up the previous device. Then, open iTunes or a Finder window on your computer and select the new device.


Finally, select the last backup you made and, in case you want to restore an encrypted backup, it will ask you for the password.



Delete your personal information

Once the backup is done, delete the information you have on the old device. You may need to perform multiple steps:

If you have paired an Apple Watch with your iPhone, you need to unpair it. Back up your device (may be needed at another time). You need to sign out of iCloud, iTunes and the App Store (make sure you remember your passwords).

If you are using iOS 10.3 or later, tap Settings> [your name] .  Scroll down and tap Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Deactivate.

If you are using iOS 10.2 or earlier, Tap Settings> iCloud> Sign Out. Tap Sign Out again and tap Remove from me [device] and enter your Apple ID and password. Then go to Settings> iTunes & App Store> Apple ID> Sign Out.

  1. If you are switching to a non-Apple device, unregister from iMessage. Go to Settings and select General> Reset> Erase all content and settings.
  2. If you have enabled Find my [device], they could be you you asked your password, your Apple ID and the password to delete it. If your device uses e-SIM, you will need to delete the device and your e-SIM profile when prompted.
  3. In case it asks for the device code or restriction code, enter it and then select the Delete [device] option.
  4. By contacting your operator you will receive assistance to transfer the service to the new owner. You can do this regardless of whether you use a SIM card or not. Delete the device from your trusted devices.

How can I unlink a device from my iCloud account?

How to format your iPad before selling or recycling it




If you want to unlink iPad from iCloud account, you need to follow the below steps to the letter:

  1. Go to Settings, scroll to iCloud and click [your name]. In [your name] you will find the account details. You need to enter the password assigned to your iCloud.
  2. There you will see your devices. By pressing each one you will be able to see its details and also delete it. In case the device continues as a login, you will receive a notification that it has not been removed.
  3. This will make it appear again among your devices as soon as you connect to an internet network. To remove it completely you will need to perform a factory data reset.

How to sign out of iCloud on your iPad

To log out of iCloud from your iPad you need to do the following, in reality they are extremely simple steps. First of all, go up Settings, Then go up Go out.

You will be asked to enter your Apple ID password and press Deactivate.  It will offer you the option to activate the data you want to keep a copy of on the device, but since your goal is to format it, you just need to press Exit and then do it again to confirm the action.

Steps to format your iPad

Before following these steps, we advise you to create a backup in iCloud, to preserve your data in case you need it later. To format:

Go to Settings> [your name]> iCloud and turn off Find my [device]. Go back to Settings, click on General> Reset and go to Delete All Content and Settings.

In some cases, they will ask you for your Apple ID number. After entering it, you need to confirm that you want to confirm the formatting and wait for it to be done correctly.

What should I do if my device does not allow me to format my information?

In case the iPad does not allow you to format it from the settings, you can put it in recovery mode and restore it from the computer. Make sure your Mac is up to date, as well as the latest iTunes update.

To do this, you need to know what kind of macOS your Mac has. On macOS Catalina, you need to open the Finder. On macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes. If you already have iTunes open, close and reopen it. Plug in your device and wait for the recovery mode screen to appear.

How to format your iPad before selling or recycling it

  • On iPad models that don't have a Home button, you need to quickly press and release the volume up button. The volume down button is then pressed and released quickly, and the top button is held down until the device begins to reboot. For the device to enter recovery mode, keep pressing this button.
  • For iPad with a home button, you need to press the home button and the top (or side) button at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the recovery mode screen.
  • Then a screen will appear with the Reset and Update options and since you want to format it and erase all its information, you have to press Reset.

What should we consider if we buy an iOS device from a third party?

When buying a third-party or used device, there are some aspects that we must take into consideration in order not to be disappointed:

  1. Take a look at the state it is in. From scratches on speakers to good storage capacity.
  2. Make a safe purchase. If you are planning to shop online, it is best to do so on a secure site, such as MercadoLibre or eBay. Check the reputation of the seller and that the payment method is trustworthy.
  3. Make sure it doesn't have any locks enabled. Ask the seller if he restored it to its factory version. If not, ask him to do it. If you buy a configured iOS device, you will not be able to fully enjoy its functions.
  4. Make sure of the status of your warranty. If the device is sold claiming to be under warranty, you can verify this on the Apple website using the hardware code, located on the back of the device.

How to format your iPad before selling or recycling it

Buying an iOS device from an Apple store can make you feel safer. However, by following the mentioned steps you can buy it from third party and save money.


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