If you’re wondering how to turn off iPad Pro, you’re in the right place. Whether you have an older iPad Pro with a Home button or a newer model with Face ID, shutting down your tablet is straightforward once you know the correct button combination.

Turning off an iPad Pro can be useful when you want to save battery, troubleshoot an app, prepare the device for travel, or simply give your tablet a fresh start. Think of it like closing the door to your digital workspace for a while—the iPad completely powers down instead of simply locking its screen.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to turn off iPad Pro models step by step, including newer iPad Pro versions without a Home button, older models, Settings-based shutdown, force restart options, and what to do if your iPad refuses to turn off.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer: How Do You Turn Off an iPad Pro?

For most modern iPad Pro models:

Press and hold the Top button and either Volume button at the same time.
Keep holding until the power-off slider appears.
Drag slide to power off from left to right.
Wait several seconds for the screen to go completely black.

That’s it. Your iPad Pro is now turned off.

If the buttons aren’t convenient or aren’t working, you can also shut down the iPad from the Settings app.

What Happens When You Turn Off an iPad Pro?

When you shut down your iPad Pro, iPadOS closes its active processes and powers down the device.

Your files, photos, apps, accounts, and settings aren’t deleted. Turning an iPad off is completely different from performing a factory reset.

After shutdown:

The display turns black.
Apps stop running.
Wireless connections are disconnected.
Background activity stops.
Battery consumption becomes minimal.
Your data remains on the iPad.

When you’re ready to use it again, simply turn it back on.

Which iPad Pro Models Use These Instructions?

The button layout has changed over the years, but the shutdown process is similar across most iPad Pro generations.

iPad Pro type	Home button	Typical shutdown method
Older iPad Pro models	Some models	Top button + volume button or applicable button combination
iPad Pro with Face ID	No	Top button + either volume button
Modern iPad Pro	No	Top button + either volume button
iPad Pro with USB-C	No	Top button + either volume button

The easiest way to identify your model is to look at the front of the device. If there’s no physical Home button beneath the display, you’re dealing with the newer button layout.

How to Turn Off iPad Pro With the Buttons

The physical-button method is the quickest way to shut down your iPad Pro.

Step 1: Locate the Top Button

Find the Top button along the upper edge of your iPad Pro.

Depending on how you’re holding the tablet, it may be on the upper-right or upper-left edge.

Step 2: Find Either Volume Button

Locate the volume buttons along the edge of the iPad.

You don’t need to press both volume buttons.

You can use either the Volume Up or Volume Down button.

Step 3: Press and Hold Two Buttons

Press and hold the Top button and either Volume button together.

Don’t release immediately. Continue holding until the shutdown screen appears.

Step 4: Wait for the Power-Off Slider

After a moment, you’ll see the power-off interface.

Look for the slider labeled:

Slide to power off

This is your signal that the iPad has recognized the shutdown command.

Step 5: Drag the Slider

Place your finger on the slider and drag it from left to right.

The iPad Pro will begin shutting down.

Step 6: Wait for the Screen to Go Black

Don’t press anything while the device shuts down.

Within a short time, the display should turn completely black.

Your iPad Pro is now powered off.

How to Turn Off iPad Pro Without Using the Buttons

What if the physical buttons are difficult to press? Maybe a button is damaged, stuck, or you simply prefer using the touchscreen.

Fortunately, iPadOS includes another shutdown option.

Step 1: Open Settings

Open the Settings app on your iPad Pro.

Step 2: Open General

Scroll through the Settings menu and tap General.

Step 3: Scroll to the Bottom

Move down through the General settings.

At the bottom, you’ll find the option to Shut Down.

Step 4: Tap Shut Down

Tap Shut Down.

The power-off slider will appear.

Step 5: Slide to Power Off

Drag slide to power off from left to right.

The iPad will shut down normally.

This method is especially useful if one of your physical buttons isn’t working correctly.

How to Turn Off iPad Pro Using Settings

The Settings method is worth remembering because it provides a simple alternative to the hardware buttons.

Here’s the complete sequence:

Open Settings.
Tap General.
Scroll to the bottom.
Tap Shut Down.
Drag the power-off slider.
Wait until the display turns black.

Think of this as using the software equivalent of a physical power switch.

How Do You Turn Off an iPad Pro With Face ID?

If your iPad Pro doesn’t have a Home button and uses Face ID, don’t look for a traditional power key labeled “Power.”

Apple generally calls it the Top button.

To shut down a Face ID-equipped iPad Pro:

Press and hold the Top button.
At the same time, press and hold either volume button.
Continue holding both buttons.
Wait for the power-off slider.
Drag the slider to the right.
Wait for the iPad to shut down.

You don’t need to hold the buttons indefinitely. Release them once the shutdown screen appears.

How to Turn Off an Older iPad Pro

Older iPad Pro models may have different physical layouts.

If your iPad Pro has a physical Home button, its button arrangement may differ from newer Face ID models.

Start by trying the normal shutdown interface through Settings:

Open Settings.
Select General.
Scroll down.
Select Shut Down.
Drag the slider.

This approach avoids confusion caused by different button layouts between generations.

How to Turn Off iPad Pro When the Screen Is Frozen

Sometimes the iPad doesn’t respond because an app has frozen or iPadOS has become temporarily unresponsive.

In this situation, dragging the normal power-off slider may not be possible.

That’s where a force restart becomes useful.

A force restart is not the same thing as a normal shutdown. You should use it when the device is frozen, stuck, or not responding to touch.

For iPad Pro Models Without a Home Button

Try this sequence:

Quickly press and release the volume button closest to the Top button.
Quickly press and release the other volume button.
Press and hold the Top button.
Keep holding the Top button until the Apple logo appears.
Release the Top button when the Apple logo appears.

The iPad should restart.

Why Is a Force Restart Different?

A normal shutdown gives iPadOS time to close things properly.

A force restart is more like pulling the emergency brake when the normal controls aren’t responding.

That’s why you shouldn’t use it as your everyday shutdown method unless necessary.

What Should You Do If Your iPad Pro Won’t Turn Off?

If your iPad Pro refuses to shut down, don’t panic.

Several things can cause the problem.

Check Whether the Touchscreen Responds

First, tap the screen and try navigating normally.

If the touchscreen works, use:

Settings → General → Shut Down

This can bypass potentially troublesome physical buttons.

Try the Button Method Again

Make sure you’re pressing the Top button and a volume button simultaneously.

Holding only the Top button may activate a different function rather than displaying the shutdown slider.

Give the iPad a Moment

If the iPad is processing something intensive, wait briefly and try again.

For example, if the device has just completed a major software operation, it may temporarily respond slowly.

Use a Force Restart If Necessary

If the screen is completely frozen, follow the force-restart sequence appropriate for your model.

This is particularly useful when normal touch controls aren’t available.

How Do You Turn On an iPad Pro After Shutting It Down?

Turning the iPad Pro back on is simple.

Step-by-Step

Locate the Top button.
Press and hold it.
Continue holding until the Apple logo appears.
Release the button.
Wait for iPadOS to start.

The startup process may take a little longer after a complete shutdown than simply waking the device from sleep.

That’s normal.

Is Turning Off an iPad Pro the Same as Locking It?

No.

This is an important distinction.

Locking the iPad

When you press the Top button briefly, the display turns off and the iPad enters a locked or sleep state.

The device can still perform certain background activities.

Turning Off the iPad

When you shut down the iPad completely, the operating system closes down and the device powers off.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Action	Screen off	Device powered down	Background activity
Lock iPad	Yes	No	Some may continue
Shut down iPad	Yes	Yes	Stops
Force restart	Temporarily	Restarts	Interrupted

So if you’re asking how to turn off iPad Pro, don’t confuse pressing the Top button once with actually shutting down the tablet.

When Should You Turn Off Your iPad Pro?

You don’t need to shut down your iPad Pro every night.

Modern operating systems are designed to remain running for extended periods.

However, a complete shutdown can be useful in certain situations.

Consider turning off your iPad Pro when:

You’re storing it for an extended period.
You’re troubleshooting unusual behavior.
An app repeatedly freezes.
The iPad is behaving sluggishly.
You’re preparing the device for repair.
You want to conserve battery during extended storage.
You need to restart after certain troubleshooting steps.

For everyday use, simply locking the iPad is usually more convenient.

Does Turning Off iPad Pro Delete Anything?

No.

A normal shutdown doesn’t delete your personal information.

Your:

Photos
Videos
Documents
Apps
Messages
Contacts
Wi-Fi settings
Apple Account information
Safari data

remain on the device.

Shutdown is simply a power-management action.

What Does Delete Data?

Actions such as erasing all content and settings are completely different.

If you’re preparing to sell or give away an iPad, don’t confuse Shut Down with Erase All Content and Settings.

The latter is designed to remove personal information from the device.

Does Turning Off iPad Pro Save Battery?

Yes, shutting the device down prevents normal operating-system activity from continuing.

However, you shouldn’t expect a dramatic battery improvement from repeatedly shutting down an iPad for short periods.

If you’re putting the iPad away for a long time, powering it down can be practical.

For everyday battery management, other factors such as display brightness, wireless connections, background activity, and battery health can matter more.

What If the iPad Pro Keeps Restarting?

If your iPad repeatedly shuts down and restarts without you requesting it, that’s a different problem.

Possible causes can include:

Software problems
An unsuccessful update
Insufficient available storage
An app-related issue
Power or battery problems
Hardware faults

Start with a normal restart if the iPad remains responsive.

If the behavior continues, check for available software updates and available storage.

Persistent unexpected restarts may require more advanced troubleshooting or professional service.

How Do You Shut Down an iPad Pro Before Storage?

If you’re storing your iPad Pro for a while, shutting it down completely can be useful.

Before doing so:

Save anything you’re working on.
Make sure important information is backed up.
Close anything you’re actively using.
Shut down the iPad normally.
Store it somewhere cool and dry.
Avoid leaving the device in extreme temperatures.

If you’re storing the iPad for an extended period, battery-storage guidance from the manufacturer is worth following.

Common Mistakes When Turning Off an iPad Pro

Even though shutting down an iPad is simple, a few mistakes can make the process confusing.

Pressing Only the Top Button

On many modern iPad Pro models, pressing only the Top button won’t open the shutdown menu.

You may simply lock the screen.

Pressing Volume Buttons Alone

Volume buttons control sound levels. They aren’t the normal shutdown command by themselves.

Releasing the Buttons Too Quickly

If you’re using the hardware shutdown method, keep the required buttons pressed until the power-off screen appears.

Confusing Shutdown With Restart

A shutdown turns the iPad off.

A restart turns it off and then starts it again.

These actions are related but not identical.

Using Force Restart Too Often

Force restarting is intended for situations where the normal interface isn’t responding.

For routine shutdowns, use the normal power-off procedure.

How to Turn Off iPad Pro: Quick Troubleshooting Table

Problem	What to try
Power slider won’t appear	Try Top + Volume
Buttons don’t work	Settings → General → Shut Down
Touchscreen is frozen	Force restart
iPad won’t start afterward	Charge it and try the Top button
iPad keeps restarting	Check software, storage, and hardware
You’re storing the iPad	Shut it down normally
You only want the screen off	Press the Top button once

Frequently Asked Questions About Turning Off iPad Pro

1. How do I turn off iPad Pro without the power button?

Open Settings → General → Shut Down, then drag the power-off slider. This is the easiest software-based alternative when the physical Top button isn’t convenient.

2. Why won’t my iPad Pro turn off when I press the Top button?

On many newer iPad Pro models, pressing the Top button alone only locks the screen. Press and hold the Top button together with either volume button to display the power-off slider.

3. How do I force shut down a frozen iPad Pro?

For iPad Pro models without a Home button, quickly press and release the volume button closest to the Top button, quickly press and release the other volume button, then hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears.

4. Will turning off my iPad Pro erase my data?

No. A normal shutdown does not erase your photos, apps, documents, accounts, or other personal information.

5. How do I turn my iPad Pro back on?

Press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears, then release it and wait for the iPadOS startup process to finish.

Key Takeaways

Here’s the short version of how to turn off iPad Pro:

Modern iPad Pro: Hold the Top button and either volume button.
Wait for the power-off slider.
Drag slide to power off.
If buttons aren’t convenient, use Settings → General → Shut Down.
If the iPad is frozen, use the appropriate force-restart sequence.
A normal shutdown does not delete your data.
Pressing the Top button once usually only locks the screen.
To turn the iPad back on, hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears.

Conclusion

Learning how to turn off iPad Pro doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you know which buttons to use—or where the shutdown option lives in Settings—you can power down your tablet in just a few seconds.

For most modern iPad Pro models, press and hold the Top button plus either Volume button, wait for the power-off slider, and drag it across the screen. If you’d rather avoid the physical buttons, go to Settings → General → Shut Down.

And what if the iPad is completely frozen? That’s when a force restart becomes useful.

The important thing is to choose the right method for the situation. Use normal shutdown for everyday power management, Settings when the buttons aren’t convenient, and force restart when the device stops responding.

Once you’ve done it a few times, shutting down your iPad Pro becomes second nature—just like switching off a light before leaving the room.

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