iPad Air Can’t restore iPad as it takes infinitely longer than 15 minutes

[stinkhorn9]

Hi. I’m finding it impossible to update/restore my late dad’s iPad Air 2 - I’m using finder on a 2015 big sur iMac - and while the first attempt gave me a progress bar, on resetting the process following the iPad’s inevitable 15-minute cut-out, I now get the window telling me that my Mac is downloading the software for the iPad - but the progress bar is just slow-moving diagonal chevrons, and I just *know* nothing is happening. Repeat ad infinitum… How can I get beyond this point??

 

[robotica]

You could try sticking it in DFU mode.

 

[stinkhorn9]

I’ve googled what that is and how to get it there - but then what do I do? (Sorry - not very up on this kind of stuff).

 

[robotica]

Once you have it in DFU mode iTunes will offer to restore it

 

[AutomaticApple]

You could try sticking it in DFU mode.

Or recovery mode would work.

 

[stinkhorn9]

I think recovery mode is what i put the iPad in in order to try the restore. Big sur uses finder to do this - iTunes is no longer a thing. I’ll try dfu mode and see whether finder offers any useful help… thanks folks

 

[toto207888]

Can't totally reset it from the iPad itself?

 

[stinkhorn9]

Can't totally reset it from the iPad itself?

Not that I’ve read anywhere - but can I? That would be awesome if so. As I understand it, I can’t get beyond the password entry unless I connect to a Mac in recovery mode (and at this point, scroll back to my original post etc etc).

 

[toto207888]

Not that I’ve read anywhere - but can I? That would be awesome if so. As I understand it, I can’t get beyond the password entry unless I connect to a Mac in recovery mode (and at this point, scroll back to my original post etc etc).

Unless you solved this Apple Support via the app can definitely help with this

 

[stinkhorn9]

Unless you solved this Apple Support via the app can definitely help with this

Thanks. Apple support using messaging got me no further than the stuff I’ve already tried: next stop - a real person at the Apple store…

 

[toto207888]

Thanks. Apple support using messaging got me no further than the stuff I’ve already tried: next stop - a real person at the Apple store…

Good idea

 

[stinkhorn9]

Good idea

So I’ve talked to someone at Apple on the phone - and then someone else via messaging - and I’m now at the point where I’ve submitted a form (and proof of purchase) so that they can (I think) cancel my late dad’s short—lived Apple ID - which (I think) will somehow remove itself from the iPad (no idea how that can happen or whether I’ve got that a bit wrong). But I then worry that I’ll still have the same problem trying to do a factory restore if it takes over 15 minutes. Anyway, my immediate query is - after they email you to say ‘we’ll review your request and contact you with updates’, how long can this take? I submitted the form two days ago…

 

[stinkhorn9]

So I’ve talked to someone at Apple on the phone - and then someone else via messaging - and I’m now at the point where I’ve submitted a form (and proof of purchase) so that they can (I think) cancel my late dad’s short—lived Apple ID - which (I think) will somehow remove itself from the iPad (no idea how that can happen or whether I’ve got that a bit wrong). But I then worry that I’ll still have the same problem trying to do a factory restore if it takes over 15 minutes. Anyway, my immediate query is - after they email you to say ‘we’ll review your request and contact you with updates’, how long can this take? I submitted the form two days ago…

Update for all the many followers of this thread: I’ve now managed to factory restore - but it’s still locked to my late father’s Apple ID - which is what the form I submitted was intended to cancel. Anyone know how long Apple take to respond to these? It’s now been four days.

 

[stinkhorn9]

I’m up and running with this one now 😀 I know it’s a bit old, but it runs everything I need, so I’m happy - and this is just a bemused question rather than a solicitation for help: I read everywhere that the iPad Air 2 can run the latest iOS - but on trying to update software, this iPad says it’s up to date already (on 12.5.4)…?

 

[0128672]

Update for all the many followers of this thread: I’ve now managed to factory restore - but it’s still locked to my late father’s Apple ID - which is what the form I submitted was intended to cancel. Anyone know how long Apple take to respond to these? It’s now been four days.

How long did it take for Apple to respond about the request to have your father's Apple ID removed?

Also about your question to update to the latest 14.7 iPadOS version, it sounds like you have, in fact, an iPad Air 1, not a 2. iPad Air 1's last compatible version was 12.5.4.

To confirm your iPad Air model, look on the back for the small model number that begins with an A. If it's A1474, A1475 or A1476, it's an iPad Air 1.

iPad Air iOS/iPadOS Version Support: EveryiPad.com

The minimum and maximum versions of iOS/iPadOS supported by each iPad Air from the original iPad Air to the current iPad Air models.

everymac.com

 

[stinkhorn9]

How long did it take for Apple to respond about the request to have your father's Apple ID removed?

Also about your question to update to the latest 14.7 iPadOS version, it sounds like you have, in fact, an iPad Air 1, not a 2. iPad Air 1's last compatible version was 12.5.4.

To confirm your iPad Air model, look on the back for the small model number that begins with an A. If it's A1474, A1475 or A1476, it's an iPad Air 1.

iPad Air iOS/iPadOS Version Support: EveryiPad.com

The minimum and maximum versions of iOS/iPadOS supported by each iPad Air from the original iPad Air to the current iPad Air models.

everymac.com

Well I’ll be darned - it’s an iPad Air 1! No idea why I’ve insisted all this time that it was a 2… If I’m getting by using this model, imagine how blown away I’d be if I got the mini 6 when it came out!! (Am thinking of doing so..)

Apple took four days to respond, I think, from memory. I had to tell them twice what my situation was; the second time garnered a pretty swift response 😀

 

[960design]

Well I’ll be darned - it’s an iPad Air 1! No idea why I’ve insisted all this time that it was a 2… If I’m getting by using this model, imagine how blown away I’d be if I got the mini 6 when it came out!! (Am thinking of doing so..)

Just a few notes:
iPad mini costs more than an iPad. The smaller screen becomes very small after looking at a 10.2" standard iPad display or 11" pro. I cannot recall too many people that own an iPad saying they wished they picked up a mini instead, but I have heard many say the opposite. Unless the mini is a specific use case for you, I'd recommend an 8th gen 10.2.

 

[stinkhorn9]

Just a few notes:
iPad mini costs more than an iPad. The smaller screen becomes very small after looking at a 10.2" standard iPad display or 11" pro. I cannot recall too many people that own an iPad saying they wished they picked up a mini instead, but I have heard many say the opposite. Unless the mini is a specific use case for you, I'd recommend an 8th gen 10.2.

🙏