You can say that your device is stuck on bootloop if it keeps restarting on its own. This problem is prevalent in earlier devices usually due to wear-and-tear as well as memory-related issues. But new devices can also give into this problem especially when triggered by bad updates, rogue apps and system data corruption. Tackled in this post is a relevant issue on the 2018 iPad Pro that seems stuck on bootloops. Read on to learn how to fix your iPad Pro that keeps restarting on its own.
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Troubleshooting a 2018 iPad Pro that’s stuck on bootloop or keeps restarting on its own
The following solutions are used to eliminate software-related factors that trigger your iPad Pro to get stuck on bootloop and restarts on its own. For as long as no hardware damage is present, your iPad will most likely be repaired and be able to work properly again.
First solution: Forced restart your iPad Pro.
A handy solution to stuck problems in iOS devices is a simulated battery removal procedure called forced restart. As the name implies, it forces the system to shut down and restart. Performing this method effectively clears out random errors inflicted by minor firmware crashes. An iPad that keeps restarting on its own is likely stuck on boot loop and therefore needs to be rebooted. With that said, follow these steps to force restart your iPad Pro:
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Then, press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.
Similar to a soft reset, performing a forced restart does not affect the internal data on your iPad storage, hence no files are deleted.
Second solution: Install software updates to fix your iPad Pro that’s stuck on bootloop.
Keeping the device system and apps updates is recommended to ensure optimum performance. Updates are not only rolled out to introduce new features but more importantly entrenched bug fixes to patch bug-inflicted issues on the device. If your iPad has a stable Internet connection, ample storage, and sufficient power, follow these steps to manually check for and install pending app updates. Doing so will help fix adverse symptoms including random reboots on your iPad that are triggered by rogue and outdated applications.
- From the Home screen, tap App Store. Doing so launches the Apple Store app.
- Scroll to the bottom of the App Store screen then tap on Updates. A list of apps with pending updates will appear.
- Navigate to the list of apps and then tap the Update button next to the name of the app to install individual update.
- If multiple app updates are available, tap the Update All button on the top-right corner of the screen.
Aside from updating apps, installing the latest iOS version available for your iPad is also recommended to ensure optimum system performance. Like app updates, iOS updates also offer dedicated fix patches to address widespread issues and errors caused by stubborn system bugs. Just follow these steps to check for available iOS update for your iPad Pro:
- From the Home screen, tap Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Then tap the option to Download and Install if an update is available for your iPad Pro.
If you are not confident that the update will finish given that your iPad could restart at any time, then you update your iPad through iTunes instead.
To apply the recent software changes, reboot/soft reset your iPad Pro after all updates are completely installed.
Third solution: Reset all settings on your iPad Pro
Resorting to settings resets is usually needed if the problem continues after performing the initial procedures. To rule out issues inflicted by system settings errors, resetting all settings on your iPad Pro can help. This will erase all recent customizations as well as auto-update overrides that eventually caused errors and triggered a bootloop symptom. If you wish to try it, then here’s how to reset all settings on your 2018 iPad Pro:
- Tap Settings from your Home screen.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down and tap on Reset.
- Choose Reset all settings from the given options.
- Enter your passcode when asked to proceed.
- Finally, tap the option to confirm all settings reset.
When the reset is finished, your device restarts automatically and then loads up the original values and settings.
To use necessary features, particularly those that are disabled by default, re-enabling them individually is needed.
Fourth solution: Factory reset your iPad Pro that’s stuck on bootloop.
If the bootloop symptom on your iPad Pro is recurring, then it’s likely triggered by complex system errors that aren’t rectifiable by the initial procedures. At this point, your next option would be a factory reset on your iPad Pro. This erases everything from your device including major system errors that caused recurring bootloop symptom. Before you proceed, back up all your important files from the iPad to iCloud or iTunes so you’d still be able to recover and use them later. Whenever you’re all set, you can factory reset your iPad Pro through settings with these steps:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Select General.
- Scroll down to and tap on Reset.
- Choose the option to Erase all content and settings.
- Enter your device passcode when asked to proceed.
- Tap the option to confirm that you want to erase and restore factory defaults on your iPad Pro.
Alternatively, you can use iTunes to manually back up files from your iPad to iTunes drive, and then start erasing the device through iTunes commands. To get this done, you will need to use a Mac or Windows computer with the latest version of iTunes app in it. Then connect your iPad to the computer using the Apple-supplied USB cable/Lightning cable. Once connected, iTunes will sync with your iPad and by then you can start erasing and restoring its factory default settings.
Fifth solution: Restore your iPad Pro in iTunes (recovery mode).
A more advanced solution to major system issues that could not be handled by a factory reset is a recovery mode restore. This is likely needed if your iPad Pro keeps restarting on its own due to complex data corruption. The only downside from a recovery mode restore is that it could result in permanent data loss. If you wish to proceed, you can try backing up critical information from the iPad storage to iTunes directory. Then proceed to these steps whenever you’re ready:
- Connect your iPad Pro to the computer using the USB/Lightning cable.
- When your iPad is connected, open iTunes on your computer.
- Then on your iPad Pro, quick-press and release the Volume Up button.
- Now, quick-press and release the Volume Up button.
- Finally, press and hold the Power button until the Recovery Mode screen (Connect to iTunes screen) appears.
Be sure not to disconnect your iPad from the computer unless the entire restore process is finished.
Last resort: DFU Mode restore.
The very last option and ultimate solution you’ve got to try on if nothing else works is the so-called DFU mode restore on your iPad Pro. This puts your device in a special state that allows iTunes to access and communicate with iOS even without activating the boot loader. Problems tied to a corrupt iOS are likely resolved in this restore process. But then again, you would lose all critical data from your iPad storage afterwards. If losing files isn’t an issue to you then you may go ahead and try performing a DFU mode restore on your iPad Pro to fix and stop it from restarting by itself:
- Connect your iPad to the computer using the original USB cable.
- Open iTunes on your computer.
- Quick-press and release the Volume Up button.
- Then quick-press and release the Volume Down button.
- Now, press and hold the Power button until the iPad screen turns black.
- After 10 seconds, press and hold the Volume Down button while still holding down the Power button for another 5 seconds.
- After 5 seconds, release the Power button but keep holding the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds.
If the screen turns completely black after releasing the Power button, it means that you have successfully entered DFU mode and that your iPad is all set for a DFU mode restore through iTunes.
You may also opt to using alternative iOS repair and recovery software if iTunes failed to fix your iPad Pro’s bootloop problem in either recovery mode or DFU mode. There are actually a lot of effective tools that can be used to repair and restore major iOS errors. Just download your preferred software to your computer and once you have it installed, you can connect your iPad Pro and start repairing iOS using the software.
Is your iPad Pro still stuck on bootloop and restarting on its own?
If you’ve reached this point having the same problem on your iPad Pro that’s stuck on bootloop and keeps restarting on its own, then hardware damage is possibly present on your device. This is when you should set up an appointment at an Apple Genius bar nearby so that a technician can examine your iPad components. If hardware damage is present, then you can avail for service warranty or new unit replacement. To verify if your device is still covered by warranty, talk to your iPad provider or carrier for more information.
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