Is your iPad Pro (2018) frozen on the Apple logo screen and refusing to boot up? Don’t panic—this issue is usually tied to a system crash, failed update, or corrupted data, and it’s often fixable with the right steps. Here’s a full guide to getting your iPad working again.
🔁 1. Force Restart Your iPad Pro
This is the first thing to try when your iPad is frozen:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Power (Top) button until the Apple logo reappears.
If your iPad boots normally after this, you’re good to go.
📦 2. Check iPad Storage (If It Boots)
Low storage can cause boot issues. If your iPad eventually loads:
- Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage
- Delete unused apps or files to free up space
- Avoid storing large video or audio files if space is tight
⚙️ 3. Install Pending iOS & App Updates
If your iPad boots after a force restart, update your software immediately:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- Install any available updates
- Open the App Store, go to Updates, and tap Update All
💻 4. Use Recovery Mode with iTunes/Finder
If your iPad won’t boot, you can use Recovery Mode:
- Connect your iPad to your computer
- Launch iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later)
- Force restart your iPad as above, but keep holding the Power button after the Apple logo appears until you see the Recovery Mode screen
- When prompted, choose Update to reinstall iOS without erasing data. If that fails, use Restore (this will erase your iPad)
⚠️ 5. Use DFU Mode for Deep Restore
DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is a more advanced recovery method:
- Connect your iPad to your computer
- Open iTunes or Finder
- Press Volume Up, then Volume Down
- Hold the Power button until the screen goes black
- After the screen goes black, hold Volume Down + Power for 5 seconds
- Release the Power button, but continue holding Volume Down for 10 more seconds
- The screen will remain black, and iTunes will detect a device in recovery mode. Click Restore
🧹 6. Try a Third-Party iOS Repair Tool
If iTunes doesn’t help, apps like the following can fix iOS boot issues:
- ReiBoot by Tenorshare
- iMyFone Fixppo
- Dr.Fone – Repair
- FonePaw iOS System Recovery
These apps can often repair iOS without data loss.
🧪 7. Reinsert Your SIM Card (If Applicable)
Sometimes SIM-related glitches can interfere with the boot process:
- Turn off your iPad
- Remove the SIM tray
- Reinsert the SIM and restart the device
🔧 8. Still Stuck? It May Be Hardware
If nothing works:
- Your iPad may have suffered hardware damage (from drops or water)
- Visit an Apple Store or authorized repair center
- If under warranty or AppleCare, you may qualify for a free repair or replacement