How to factory reset an iPad and remove your Apple Account before selling it

Before an iPad goes to a new owner, it needs a fresh backup, a clean sign-out and a full erase so Find My and Activation Lock are switched off. This iPad-focused checklist also covers the Apple Pencil, keyboard and cellular eSIM.

Back up the iPad, unpair any Apple Pencil or Bluetooth keyboard you plan to keep, then go to Settings > [your name] > Sign Out. Next open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings, and choose to delete the eSIM on a cellular model. When the iPad shows the Hello screen, it is ready for its next owner.

• 1. Make a fresh backup: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now, or back up to a Mac or Windows PC. If you have a new iPad waiting, you can use Quick Start to move everything across directly instead.
• 2. Unpair the Apple Pencil and Bluetooth accessories you are keeping: Open Settings > Bluetooth. Under My Devices, tap the info button next to your Apple Pencil and choose Forget This Device. Do the same for any Bluetooth keyboard, mouse or AirPods you are keeping, so they stop trying to connect to the old iPad.
• 3. Sort out AppleCare and Wallet: If the iPad has an active AppleCare plan, decide whether to cancel it or hand it over to the buyer. If you added cards to Apple Pay on the iPad, they are removed when you erase, but it does no harm to check Wallet first.
• 4. Sign out of your Apple Account: Open Settings, tap your name, scroll down and tap Sign Out. On iPadOS 26 you can pick Erase this iPad here, or Sign Out But Don't Erase. Enter your passcode or Apple Account password when asked. On older versions, you enter your password and tap Turn Off.
• 5. Erase the iPad: If you did not erase during sign-out, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings, then tap Continue. Enter your passcode and Apple Account password when prompted. Erasing also switches off Find My and Activation Lock.
• 6. Delete the eSIM on a cellular iPad: On a Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad with an eSIM, choose the option to delete the eSIM when the erase screen asks. If it uses a physical nano-SIM, eject the tray with the SIM tool and take your SIM out. Tell your mobile operator if you want the data plan moved or closed.
• 7. Wait for the Hello screen: The iPad restarts and shows a progress bar. When it lands on the Hello setup screen, stop there. Do not set it up again with your own account, because the buyer needs to do the first setup.
• 8. Remove the iPad from your device list: On your iPhone or another device, open Settings > [your name], tap the old iPad in the device list and tap Remove from Account. You can also do this at account.apple.com under Devices. This keeps the old iPad off your trusted devices.