How to fix frozen iPad after iPadOS 26 update during Apple Pay setup?

I encountered the same thing with a brand new iPad Mini recently purchased few days ago.

Came with iOS 18 installed. Did some basic set up but didn't touch the wallet. Then let it update to iOS26, and I got the same hanging if I tried to skip / "do it later" option. Tried restarting the iPad several times, same result. Didn't matter if it was connected to Wifi or not.

Eventually, I tried just adding a real credit card I had with me to it.

It worked.

Then just removed the credit card from Apple Wallet after the initial questions were done and I could use the iPad normally.

The setup process on iPad os 26.2 seems completely broken. I just experienced it with 2 different iPads. The only thing I found to fix it is to hold the lock button and hit restart setup process, deleting any data and then blasting through the setup without adding any info to get into the Home Screen, then adding Apple ID and everything else afterwards.

Doing the setup as Apple wants you to just does not work, it’s embarrassing. It just spins and spins at various stages of setup and eventually stops progressing.

I’ve never witnessed this level of disfunction in my Apple products.

I just tried something and it worked.

Fist of all, my ipad was already connected to my wifi.

when I tried to pass the apple pay, it started to bugg. + the infinite loading … (I think i’ve restart and retry for like 50times cause what the .. ? )

but lucky me my electricity was off for like an hour so I’ve tried to restart just in case but without wifi and it worked !!!

It didn’t even show the apple pay step and It continued with the steps even faster. Before my electricity came back, I’ve connected my iphone data to my ipad just to make sure there was no problem with the apps.

Everything is fine now.

Reconnected my home wifi too and everything works.

Spent a long time on the phone with Costco support over this. After repeated restarts, what worked was plugging the IPad into a power source and was able to get passed Apple Pay and complete the set up.

Hey! Got a fix: plug it into a Mac and then unplug it.

I plugged the iPad into my Mac and attempted to reset it but it wouldn't let me due to find my being enabled on the device already. I was about to give up but just by disconnecting the iPad from the Mac it seemed to unfreeze things and suddenly the iPad moved quickly through the remaining setup steps.

1. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume down button.
3. Press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo (this might take longer than 10 seconds).

The operative word here is QUICKLY for the first two buttons, then a long hold for the SIDE button; and try it a couple of times, the timing is a little tricky. If done correctly this will always work unless the phone has a hardware problem. 

I had to rotate between blocking WiFi on my Ubiquiti access point. This caused it to go offline and allowed it to proceed. SO ANNOYING.

lowbar wrote:

Most of us don't have Mac computers. Need a viable solution for people without Macs.

You can use a Windows PC with iTunes for Windows - or for Windows 10/11, Apple Devices installed. Ensure that your installed version of iTunes/Apple Devices has been updated to the most recent version; the essential device drivers are included.

Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support

Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support

Apple Devices App (Windows PC):

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9np83lwlpz9k?hl=en-ms&gl=MS

MBB_13 wrote:

Even when I do attempt to set up Apple Pay for her, it gets stuck on the screen which says:

”Complete additional steps in wallet. Once you’ve finished setting up your new iPad, go to wallet to complete additional steps that some card issuers require to prevent fraud”

Wallet is an iPhone app. It does not exist on iPad. Complete the steps there.

Same issue here and the person mentioning wallet as an iPhone app seems wrong and also missing the point: we cannot complete a mandatory setup step on the iPad. The iPad FORCES setting up Apple Pay (or selecting setup later) and whether you select “continue” to setup a card or “setup later” you end up with an infinite scrolling wheel or essentially frozen. A hard reset does not solve this problem.

Worked!

Good job posting but I bet there are a lot of disappointment new iPad owners this morning that did not find this solution or think of searching to see if other new iPad users ran into issues. My wife tried for a couple hours and gave up until I stepped in...

Hey!! I just bought my daughter an iPad I’m having the same issue after updating to iOS 26.2 I’m stuck in loading mode at WiFi step of the process and can’t proceed. What buttons did you press to restart? I already did volume up down hold side until Apple logo. No luck.

This worked great thanks. As soon as I plugged it in, it moved past the screen.

it's not letting me add a card I can't click anything it's frozen

Most of us don't have Mac computers. Need a viable solution for people without Macs.