My iPad Pro 3rd Gen was wiped at airport security

At Philly airport and contents gone and full reset. Is this a common experience?

iPad Pro, 12

Posted on Jan 30, 2019 12:43 PM

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Posted on Jan 31, 2019 7:00 AM

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.

22 replies

Mar 8, 2019 5:51 AM in response to rRraAayYy

Thanks everyone for sharing your personal experiences and mostly nonevents. I think that it is safe to say that it has nothing to do with

  • anyone touching the device or
  • airport scanners


I’ve got it, thanks.


That said, I am still looking for insights as to what would wipe a device?

  • could it be face id or
  • bumping around in a bag or
  • the on and volume buttons being compressed
  • being stowed with a bluetooth keyboard
  • something else entirely?


I will be trying to get to an apple store, there are just none near me


Thanks again.

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My iPad Pro 3rd Gen was wiped at airport security

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