iPad Randomly Enters Recover Mode

My iPad Air 4 keeps entering recovery mode when i plug it in. It also happens to have a faulty top button, so I can't just turn it on. My iPad Air 4 keeps entering recovery mode when i plug it in. It also happens to have a faulty top button, so I can't just turn it on. Is iPadOS corrupted? Is iPadOS corrupted?

iPad Air, iPadOS 18

Posted on Aug 29, 2025 11:48 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 30, 2025 02:46 AM

It is a common misconception that an iPad (or iPhone) can remain fully functional with damaged or defective physical buttons. 


Whilst Accessibility features (such as assistive touch) can be used to augment the User Interface, these features cannot be used as a substitute for physical button sequences that must be used to trigger system recovery actions. Sooner or later you will encounter a situation from which you cannot recover.


You can arrange repair of your iPad either by (a) visiting the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - or (b) using Apple's mail-in repair service:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

iPad Repair & Service - Apple Support


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 30, 2025 02:46 AM in response to MinionsForBananas

It is a common misconception that an iPad (or iPhone) can remain fully functional with damaged or defective physical buttons. 


Whilst Accessibility features (such as assistive touch) can be used to augment the User Interface, these features cannot be used as a substitute for physical button sequences that must be used to trigger system recovery actions. Sooner or later you will encounter a situation from which you cannot recover.


You can arrange repair of your iPad either by (a) visiting the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - or (b) using Apple's mail-in repair service:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

iPad Repair & Service - Apple Support


iPad Randomly Enters Recover Mode

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