Learning how to turn off iPad is useful whether you want to save battery, troubleshoot a problem, prepare the device for travel, or simply give it a break. While turning off an iPad sounds simple, the exact button combination can vary depending on your model.

The good news is that you don’t need any special tools or technical knowledge. You can power down an iPad using its physical buttons or through the Settings app. There are also alternative methods if the buttons aren’t working or the screen is frozen.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to turn off iPad step by step for different models, including iPads with and without a Home button. We’ll also cover how to turn the device back on, what to do if your iPad won’t shut down, and the difference between turning off, restarting, and force restarting your iPad.

Table of Contents

Why Would You Want to Turn Off an iPad?

There are several reasons you might want to completely power down your device.

You may want to:

Save battery when you’re not using it
Troubleshoot an app problem
Fix temporary software glitches
Prepare the iPad for storage
Travel without using unnecessary battery
Give the device a fresh start
Perform certain maintenance steps
Prepare the iPad for repair or service

Think of shutting down your iPad like turning off a computer. It gives the device a chance to stop running everything rather than simply leaving it in sleep mode.

How to Turn Off iPad Without a Home Button

Most newer iPad models don’t have a physical Home button.

If your iPad doesn’t have a Home button, use the following method.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Press and hold the top button and either volume button at the same time.
Keep holding them until the power-off screen appears.
Look for the slide to power off control.
Drag the slider from left to right.
Wait several seconds.
The iPad screen will go completely black.

Your iPad is now turned off.

Important Tip

You don’t need to hold the buttons after the power-off slider appears.

Once you see the slider, release the buttons and swipe it.

How to Turn Off iPad With a Home Button

Older iPad models have a physical Home button below the display.

For these devices, the process is slightly different.

Follow These Steps

Press and hold the top button.
Keep holding it until the power-off slider appears.
Drag slide to power off from left to right.
Wait for the screen to turn black.

That’s it.

Your iPad is completely powered down.

How to Turn Off iPad Using Settings

What if you don’t want to use the physical buttons?

You can shut down an iPad directly from Settings.

This method is especially useful if a button isn’t working correctly.

Steps

Open Settings.
Tap General.
Scroll toward the bottom.
Tap Shut Down.
The power-off slider will appear.
Drag the slider from left to right.
Wait for the iPad to turn off.

This method works on iPads that provide the Shut Down option in Settings.

How to Turn Off iPad From Control Center

Depending on your iPadOS version and available controls, you may also have access to a shutdown control through the Control Center.

If your configuration provides a power option:

Open Control Center.
Locate the power control.
Press or select it.
Wait for the shutdown slider.
Drag the slider across the screen.

If you don’t see a power control, use the physical-button method or Settings → General → Shut Down instead.

How to Turn Off iPad When the Screen Is Frozen

Sometimes the iPad doesn’t respond when you tap or swipe.

If the screen is frozen, the normal shutdown process may not work.

In that situation, you may need to force restart the iPad rather than simply turn it off.

A force restart is different from a normal shutdown.

It is primarily a troubleshooting method when the iPad is unresponsive.

How to Force Restart an iPad Without a Home Button

If your iPad doesn’t have a Home button, follow these steps carefully.

Step 1

Quickly press and release the volume button closest to the top button.

Step 2

Quickly press and release the other volume button.

Step 3

Immediately press and hold the top button.

Step 4

Keep holding the top button until the Apple logo appears.

Then release it.

The iPad will restart.

Don’t Release the Top Button Too Early

The Apple logo may take a few seconds to appear.

Keep holding the top button until you see it.

How to Force Restart an iPad With a Home Button

If your iPad has a physical Home button:

Press and hold the Home button.
At the same time, press and hold the top button.
Continue holding both buttons.
Keep holding them until the Apple logo appears.
Release both buttons.

The iPad should restart.

Is Turning Off an iPad the Same as Restarting It?

No.

Although the two processes are related, they aren’t exactly the same.

Turning Off

You shut down the iPad completely and leave it powered off.

Restarting

The iPad shuts down and then automatically starts again.

Force Restarting

You use a special button combination when the iPad isn’t responding normally.

A force restart is primarily for troubleshooting.

How to Turn On an iPad After Shutting It Down

Turning the iPad back on is easy.

For Most iPads

Press and hold the top button.
Continue holding it.
Wait for the Apple logo to appear.
Release the button.
Wait for the iPad to boot.

Depending on the model, it may take a little while before the Lock Screen appears.

What Happens When You Turn Off Your iPad?

When you shut down the iPad completely:

The display turns off.
Apps stop running.
Most device processes stop.
Wireless connections are disconnected.
Notifications won’t appear while the device is off.
Battery usage becomes minimal compared with normal use.

Your files, photos, apps, and settings aren’t deleted.

Turning off the iPad is not the same as resetting or erasing it.

Will Turning Off an iPad Delete Anything?

No.

A normal shutdown doesn’t delete your data.

Your:

Photos
Videos
Apps
Documents
Messages
Accounts
Settings
Downloads

remain on the device.

When you turn it back on, you can continue using it normally.

Does Turning Off an iPad Save Battery?

Yes.

A completely powered-off iPad generally uses far less battery than an iPad that’s simply sitting idle with the screen off.

However, modern iPads are designed to use very little power while sleeping.

If you’re only leaving the iPad unused for a short period, Sleep Mode is usually more convenient.

If you’re storing it for a longer period, completely powering it down can make more sense.

Should You Turn Off Your iPad Every Night?

You don’t necessarily need to shut down an iPad every night.

You can simply lock the screen and let it enter sleep mode.

However, occasionally restarting the device can be useful if you’re experiencing:

Minor glitches
Apps behaving strangely
Temporary performance problems
Connectivity issues
Unusual battery behavior

A restart gives the operating system a fresh session.

How Often Should You Restart an iPad?

There’s no universal schedule you must follow.

You can restart the iPad whenever you experience a problem.

For example, if:

An app won’t open
The touchscreen behaves strangely
Wi-Fi stops working
Bluetooth becomes unreliable
The device feels temporarily sluggish

a restart is a simple troubleshooting step to try.

What If the iPad Won’t Turn Off?

If the normal shutdown method doesn’t work, don’t panic.

Try these steps.

Try the Settings Method

Go to:

Settings → General → Shut Down

Then use the slider.

Check the Touchscreen

Make sure the screen is actually responding.

Try a Force Restart

If the iPad is completely frozen, use the appropriate force-restart procedure for your model.

Connect the Charger

If the battery is critically low, connect the iPad to power and allow it to charge for a while before trying again.

What If the Power Button Doesn’t Work?

You can still shut down an iPad without using the physical power button.

Use:

Settings → General → Shut Down

This is one of the most useful alternatives if the top button is damaged or difficult to press.

You can also use accessibility features to provide alternative ways of interacting with the device when appropriate.

How to Turn Off iPad Without Touching the Screen

If the screen is working but you don’t want to use it, the physical-button method can shut down the iPad.

For an iPad without a Home button:

Press and hold the top button + either volume button → slide to power off.

For an iPad with a Home button:

Press and hold the top button → slide to power off.

However, the final slider normally requires a touch gesture.

If the touchscreen itself isn’t working, a normal shutdown may not be possible, and you may need to use a force restart instead.

How to Tell Whether Your iPad Is Completely Off

A powered-off iPad should have a completely black screen.

It shouldn’t display:

The Lock Screen
The Home Screen
Notifications
An open app
The Control Center

If you tap the screen and nothing happens, that doesn’t necessarily prove it’s powered off because the device could simply be asleep.

The best confirmation is to briefly press the top button.

If the iPad starts displaying the Apple logo after being completely shut down, it was powered off.

Can You Turn Off iPad While Charging?

Yes.

You can shut down the iPad while it’s connected to a charger.

This can be useful if you’re:

Storing the iPad
Troubleshooting charging behavior
Preparing it for travel
Letting it charge without using it

The charging behavior depends on the model and its software state.

Should You Turn Off iPad Before Charging?

You don’t have to.

iPads can be charged while they’re turned on.

You can also charge them while they’re asleep.

Turning the device off isn’t a requirement for normal charging.

How to Turn Off iPad Before Traveling

If you don’t need the iPad during part of your journey, you can shut it down completely.

Alternatively, Airplane Mode can disable wireless communications while allowing you to continue using downloaded content.

For air travel, follow the airline’s instructions regarding electronic devices and wireless connectivity.

How to Turn Off iPad for Storage

If you’re putting an iPad away for an extended period, a complete shutdown can be useful.

Before storing it:

Back up important data.
Close any important tasks.
Check the battery level.
Shut down the iPad.
Store it somewhere cool and dry.
Avoid extreme temperatures.
Protect the screen and body from damage.

For long-term storage, don’t leave the device exposed to excessive heat or moisture.

How to Turn Off iPad Before Selling It

If you’re selling or giving away your iPad, simply turning it off isn’t enough.

You should properly prepare it for the next owner.

Start by backing up anything you need.

Then sign out of the appropriate Apple services and erase the device using:

Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPad → Erase All Content and Settings

This is very different from simply shutting down the iPad.

What Is the Difference Between Sleep and Shutdown?

This is a common source of confusion.

Sleep Mode

You press the top button once.

The screen turns off, but the iPad remains powered on.

Shutdown

You use the shutdown slider.

The iPad powers down completely.

Restart

The iPad shuts down and then starts again automatically.

Force Restart

A button combination forces the device to restart when it isn’t responding normally.

Understanding these differences makes iPad troubleshooting much easier.

Why Does My iPad Turn Back On by Itself?

If you believe your iPad is turning itself back on, first determine whether it actually shut down.

A screen turning black doesn’t necessarily mean the iPad was powered off.

It may simply have entered sleep mode.

Other possibilities include:

Accidentally pressing the top button
Connecting the charger
A restart after a software update
A software issue

If unexpected restarts happen repeatedly, check for software updates and consider troubleshooting further.

What Should You Do If the iPad Is Completely Unresponsive?

If the screen is frozen and buttons don’t appear to work normally, a force restart is the first troubleshooting method to try.

Use the correct button sequence for your model.

Once the Apple logo appears, allow the iPad to restart.

If the device repeatedly becomes unresponsive, investigate whether a particular app, accessory, storage issue, or software problem is causing the behavior.

Quick Method: How to Turn Off iPad

Here’s the shortest version.

iPad Without a Home Button

Press and hold the top button + either volume button → slide to power off.

iPad With a Home Button

Press and hold the top button → slide to power off.

Without Physical Buttons

Settings → General → Shut Down → slide to power off.

That’s all you need for a normal shutdown.

Common Mistakes When Turning Off an iPad

Pressing the Top Button Once

A single press usually locks the screen rather than completely shutting down the iPad.

Holding the Wrong Buttons

Newer iPads require the top button and a volume button for the shutdown screen.

Force Restarting Unnecessarily

A force restart is primarily useful when the iPad isn’t responding.

Assuming a Black Screen Means Shutdown

The iPad may simply be asleep.

Erasing the iPad When You Only Want to Shut It Down

Never choose Erase All Content and Settings unless you actually intend to remove the device’s data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to turn off iPad without a Home button?

Press and hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Then drag the slider from left to right.

How to turn off iPad with a Home button?

Press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to shut down the iPad.

Can I turn off my iPad from Settings?

Yes. Open Settings → General → Shut Down, then use the power-off slider.

What should I do if my iPad is frozen?

If the normal shutdown controls don’t respond, perform a force restart using the button combination appropriate for your iPad model.

Does turning off an iPad delete everything?

No. A normal shutdown doesn’t delete your apps, photos, files, messages, or settings. It simply powers the device down.

Conclusion

Knowing how to turn off iPad is a basic skill that can be useful for everyday maintenance and troubleshooting. Most newer iPads can be shut down by pressing the top button and either volume button, while iPads with a Home button generally require holding the top button.

If you don’t want to use the physical buttons, you can also use Settings → General → Shut Down.

Remember that shutting down, restarting, sleeping, and force restarting are different actions. Use a normal shutdown when you simply want to power off the device, and reserve a force restart for situations where the iPad is frozen or unresponsive.

Once you know which buttons your model uses, powering down your iPad takes only a few seconds.

Summary: Key Takeaways

Newer iPads without a Home button use the top button + either volume button to display the shutdown slider.
iPads with a Home button generally use the top button to access the shutdown slider.
You can also use Settings → General → Shut Down.
Drag slide to power off to completely shut down the device.
Press and hold the top button to turn the iPad back on.
A normal shutdown doesn’t delete your data.
Sleep mode is different from completely powering off the iPad.
A force restart is useful when the iPad is frozen or unresponsive.
You don’t need to shut down your iPad every night.
Restarting can help with temporary software or performance issues.
If a physical button doesn’t work, use the Settings shutdown option.
Before selling an iPad, erase your personal information rather than simply turning it off.