iPad 10th generation stuck on recovery mode, won’t update or restore

My friend just bought a brand new iPad 10th generation today. They went through the startup process and put in their password correctly, twice! But when the iPad started up, they put in their password and it said “password incorrect”. The iPad was then unavailable for 5 minutes and gave a link to Apple Support relations to passwords.


The article said to update the iPad through a computer, which we tried, and failed. Firstly, I am familiar with updating and restoring devices this way, so it was no problem for me. I went the iTunes route first but no device popped up when the iPad was in recovery mode and plugged in. It needs to be update to iOS 18.3. We installed Apple devices on computer number one.


About half way through the update, it stopped and said that the update has failed. We tried again by taking the device out of recovery mode, back into recovery mode, but nope, no success. Then, Apple Devices no longer had the option to update the device , but to only restore it. So we clicked restore, no luck. It kept disconnecting from the computer, and bear in mind this is a new iPad so it has a new cable and the computer is relatively new too, so connections shouldn’t be a problem.


The next time we tried, it stopped half way while installing the firmware or something like that (it’s been a long night of trying this, I can’t remember half the things that have popped up on the screen), and when it stopped it popped up error 1109. We went back to Apple Support and it said to check if everything is updated, which it is, so we tried again but nope, same problem. Again and again.


We tried to get it out of recovery mode, but it is now stuck in recovery mode, for the past hour. No article, video, discussions, nothing is helping us at all, we do whatever it says and it doesn’t work. We even tried DFU reboot. Nope.


We tried to contact Apple but it’s out of office hours.


It suggested to use a different computer, so in comes computer number 2. Computer 2 started off rough, wouldn’t recognise the device, eventually it did. It gave us the option to update it so we tried that. It keeps stopping after a certain amount of downloading (it’s currently on 6.19GB). We repeat the process of plugging out and in, or it keeps self ejecting, but it continues where it left off.


Update: it is has stopped on 7.47GB saying the iPad was corrupted during update, just like how it kept stopping during the restore process (I’m thinking a firmware issue now)



If it decides to actually update and work completely fine after this, I will update, if not..


We are desperate for help!!!!



Posted on Jan 28, 2025 3:17 PM

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4 replies

Jan 29, 2025 2:21 AM in response to _hm1

You might be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page.


Alternatively, assuming that you have access to another Apple device, you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044


You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to offer assistance:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Jan 28, 2025 7:39 PM in response to _hm1

_hm1 wrote:

My friend just bought a brand new iPad 10th generation today. They went through the startup process and put in their password correctly, twice! But when the iPad started up, they put in their password and it said “password incorrect”. The iPad was then unavailable for 5 minutes and gave a link to Apple Support relations to passwords.

The article said to update the iPad through a computer, which we tried, and failed. Firstly, I am familiar with updating and restoring devices this way, so it was no problem for me. I went the iTunes route first but no device popped up when the iPad was in recovery mode and plugged in. It needs to be update to iOS 18.3. We installed Apple devices on computer number one.

About half way through the update, it stopped and said that the update has failed. We tried again by taking the device out of recovery mode, back into recovery mode, but nope, no success. Then, Apple Devices no longer had the option to update the device , but to only restore it. So we clicked restore, no luck. It kept disconnecting from the computer, and bear in mind this is a new iPad so it has a new cable and the computer is relatively new too, so connections shouldn’t be a problem.

The next time we tried, it stopped half way while installing the firmware or something like that (it’s been a long night of trying this, I can’t remember half the things that have popped up on the screen), and when it stopped it popped up error 1109. We went back to Apple Support and it said to check if everything is updated, which it is, so we tried again but nope, same problem. Again and again.

We tried to get it out of recovery mode, but it is now stuck in recovery mode, for the past hour. No article, video, discussions, nothing is helping us at all, we do whatever it says and it doesn’t work. We even tried DFU reboot. Nope.

We tried to contact Apple but it’s out of office hours.

It suggested to use a different computer, so in comes computer number 2. Computer 2 started off rough, wouldn’t recognise the device, eventually it did. It gave us the option to update it so we tried that. It keeps stopping after a certain amount of downloading (it’s currently on 6.19GB). We repeat the process of plugging out and in, or it keeps self ejecting, but it continues where it left off.

Update: it is has stopped on 7.47GB saying the iPad was corrupted during update, just like how it kept stopping during the restore process (I’m thinking a firmware issue now)


If it decides to actually update and work completely fine after this, I will update, if not..

We are desperate for help!!!!


Where did your friend buy this brand new ipad 10 generation?

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iPad 10th generation stuck on recovery mode, won’t update or restore

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