My iPad Pro 3rd Gen was wiped at airport security

No, there aren’t any known device button combinations that can invoke a full factory reset of the iPad. If, as you describe, the device went “in” to baggage screening healthy - but exited baggage screening in the state you describe without having been physically examined, it is would be reasonable working hypothesis that the “x-ray” machine may have caused an unepected reset. You were perhaps just unlucky on this occassion.

Personally, I always ensure (and generally recommend) that electronic devices are reasonably well charged but fully powered-off - prior to entering baggage screening - with full expectation that I may be asked to power-on the device during a subsequent physical search.

Having devices powered-off is always good practice in reducing the possibility of corruption from induced electrical currents or disturbance by high magnetic or other high energy fields that may be present whilst within screening equipment.

Modern CT-based screening equipment is generally regarded as “film-safe” for [most] common photographic emulsions - and for most electronics. It should be noted, however, that the majority of consumer electronics are not specifically hardened against the effects of high magnetic or RF fields, radiation or energetic particles.

If your iPad, even powered on in a case just going through the X-ray machine could not have just restored itself to factory settings unless it was handled and the assorted settings required to erase it were used. This would require multiple touches and even knowledge of the Apple ID, Password and Passcode used when the iPad was set up.

Having been on this forum for years now, yours is the first instance I've read about such an occurrence, ever.

FaceID can't wipe an iPad

Bumping around in a bag can't wipe an iPad

Even if the volume buttons were pressed over and over it couldn't wipe an iPad

Being stowed with a Bluetooth Keyboard can't wipe an iPad

It takes effort to wipe an iPad and requires going into settings > general > reset > erase all content and data and then two confirmations in succession. That simply can't happen on its own.

Whilst an Airport X-Ray for hand luggage shouldn’t cause wipe or corruption of computing devices, the same cannot be guaranteed for the screening processes used for checked baggage.

Whilst unusual with airport screening processes, it IS possible for X-Ray sources to scramble semiconductor-based storage; hard X-Ray sources can (and do) cause data corruption, potential erasure - and in extreme cases, degredation or damage to semiconductors.

I have traveled a lot and been through many airports with my iPad and have never had my device wiped or reset. It's not possible for an X-Ray to wipe an iPad. Did you have to surrender your device to TSA?

Yup. Any and all electronics as well as all medications travel with me in my carry-on. But I have also over the years had everything from 35mm film to iPads, iPhones, eReaders and laptops pass through airport X-Ray devices with not one issue ever. These are not high energy scanners, with nowhere near enough energy to affect solid state electronics.

Hopefully the OP posts back with more details about what exactly happened in this specific instance.

I also never left anything of value in checked luggage long before 9/11 because of widely reported and confirmed reports of airport baggage handlers stealing stuff, including large organized and systematic baggage theft at airports in NYC, Chicago and Philly back in the 1980s and 1990s (which have also re-occurred since 9/11, with criminal convictions as final confirmation those reports were not “fake” news).

Did you make backup of your iPad Pro, can you restore it? Maybe should take it real AppleStore to have it checked out.

Not only do you risk ‘losing’ something out of your checked luggage, they also beat the tar out of it. I once got one of my bags back with the metal frame deeply bent.

Clothes and toiletries and expendable stuff can go checked.

ALL electronics goes carry on. I’ve had laptops, cameras, ipads, other tablet PCs, netbooks all run through scanners with no issue.

I would suggest that folks power their devices down if they are worried, a powered down device can be less susceptible to anything, however the TSA has been known to want you to power it up to prove it’s a real device and not a dummy full of bad stuff.

That is indeed strange and the first one I've heard. Mine has (and I'm sure many other users have) gone thru xray many times without a problem.

Given that we're not supposed to lock checked luggage, I would NEVER put my iPad in my checked luggage. It would be too possible for it to be stolen. My iPad travels with me in my carry on bag only.

My checked luggage is always locked with TSA approved locks. I've never had a problem where TSA agents cut it open to inspect the content. I still would never put expensive electronics (computers, cameras etc), cash or jewelry in a checked bag.

I did have approved locks on luggage once, so I should have said I don't lock my luggage. When we arrived at our destination, the locks had been removed and some items taken. I don't lock my luggage anymore, but I don't put anything of value in my luggage either.

Either way, the OP suggested his iPad was wiped at Security, not in checked luggage, so it's a mystery how that's even possible.

It was actually a TSA agent who advised me to NOT lock my luggage. He suggested the less honest baggage handlers think if you locked your luggage, you must have something of value in it. If a handler wants my undies, they can go for it. I'd rather lose an article of clothing as opposed to having my luggage damaged by a thief.