The fastest way to power down an iPad

To turn off an iPad, press and hold the top button (or the power button on the side, depending on your model) and one of the volume buttons at the same time. Keep holding both until the power-off slider appears on your screen — this usually takes about three seconds. Then drag the slider to the right to shut down the tablet completely.

The exact location of the power button depends on which iPad you own. On newer iPad Pro models and iPad Air, the power button is on the right edge. On older iPad models and the standard iPad, it is on the top edge. If you are not sure which button to press, look for the button that does not control volume.

After you drag the slider, your iPad will take a few seconds to shut down. The screen will go black, and the tablet will be completely off. You can turn it back on by pressing the power button again.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the power button and a volume button together until the power-off slider appears on your screen.
  • The power button location varies by model — it is either on the top edge or the right edge of your iPad.
  • Drag the slider all the way to the right to complete the shutdown.
  • Your iPad will take a few seconds to power down completely after you drag the slider.
  • You can restart your iPad at any time by pressing the power button again.

Where the power button is on different iPad models

iPad Pro (all sizes) and iPad Air (3rd generation and newer) have the power button on the right edge of the tablet. Hold it down with one of the volume buttons, also on the right edge.

iPad (7th generation and older), iPad mini, and iPad (8th generation and newer) have the power button on the top edge. Press it together with one of the volume buttons on the side.

If you are not certain which generation you own, go to Settings, then General, then About. Your iPad model and generation number will be listed there. Knowing your exact model helps you find the right button without guessing.

What happens when you turn off your iPad

When you shut down your iPad using the power-off slider, all apps close when ready. Any work you have not saved will be lost, so save your documents and close your apps before you power down if you have unsaved changes.

A full shutdown is different from putting your iPad to sleep. Sleep mode (which happens when you close the cover or press the power button briefly) keeps your iPad running in the background and uses a small amount of battery. A complete shutdown turns off all power and uses no battery at all, but it takes longer to restart.

Your iPad will retain all your data, photos, and settings after a shutdown. Turning it off does not erase anything — it straightforward stops all processes until you turn it back on.

Forcing a shutdown if your iPad is frozen

If your iPad is not responding and the power-off slider does not appear, you can force it to shut down. The steps depend on your model.

On iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and newer) and iPad Pro 11-inch, press and release the top volume button quickly, then press and release the bottom volume button quickly, then press and hold the power button until the screen goes black.

On iPad Air (3rd generation and newer), iPad (7th generation and newer), and iPad mini (5th generation and newer), press and release the top volume button, press and release the bottom volume button, then press and hold the power button until the screen goes black.

On older iPad models with a home button, press and hold both the top power button and the home button at the same time until the screen goes black. This usually takes about 10 seconds.

Restarting your iPad after a shutdown

To turn your iPad back on after a complete shutdown, press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. This usually takes about five seconds. Keep holding the button until you see the logo — do not release it early.

Your iPad will then show the lock screen and take a minute or two to fully load all your apps and data. During this time, you may see a loading screen or a spinning wheel. Wait until the home screen appears before you try to open any apps.

If your iPad does not turn on after you press the power button, it may have a very low battery. Plug it into a charger and wait a few minutes, then try again.

When to do a full shutdown versus sleep mode

Use sleep mode when you are stepping away for a few minutes or hours. Press the power button once (or close the cover if your iPad has one) to put it to sleep. Your iPad will wake up when ready when you press the power button again, and all your apps will be exactly where you left them.

Use a full shutdown when you will not use your iPad for several hours or days, when you are traveling and want to save battery, or when your iPad is acting slowly or freezing. A shutdown clears the tablet's memory and can fix minor software problems.

You should also do a full shutdown before you store your iPad for a long time. This prevents the battery from draining while it sits unused.

Troubleshooting if your iPad will not turn off

If the power-off slider does not appear when you press and hold the power button and volume button, try again and hold for a full 10 seconds. Sometimes the slider takes longer to show up.

If your iPad still will not respond, try a force shutdown using the steps listed in the "Forcing a shutdown if your iPad is frozen" section above. A force shutdown works even when the normal power-off slider does not appear.

If your iPad turns back on when ready after you shut it down, check your settings. Go to Settings, then General, then Shut Down, and make sure "Automatically Power On" is turned off. This setting can cause your iPad to restart on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off my iPad erase my data?

No. Shutting down your iPad does not erase any data, photos, apps, or settings. Everything will be exactly as you left it when you turn it back on. A shutdown only stops the power — it does not delete anything.

How long does it take to turn off an iPad?

It usually takes 3 to 5 seconds for the power-off slider to appear after you press and hold the buttons. After you drag the slider, the iPad takes another 5 to 10 seconds to fully shut down. A force shutdown may take up to 30 seconds.

What is the difference between turning off and restarting my iPad?

Turning off means the iPad is completely powered down and uses no battery. Restarting means you turn it off and then when ready turn it back on. Restarting can fix software problems, while a full shutdown is better for saving battery over long periods.

Can I turn off my iPad while it is charging?

Yes, you can shut down your iPad while it is plugged in. The charger will not interfere with the shutdown process. Your iPad will remain off even while connected to power until you press the power button to turn it back on.

What should I do if my iPad is stuck on the power-off screen?

If the power-off slider appears but will not move, try swiping it again from left to right. If it still will not work, try a force shutdown instead. Press and hold the power button and volume button again, but this time ignore the slider and keep holding until the screen goes black.