iPad stuck restoring from iCloud, cannot update iOS

If the process has stalled, your only available option is to force-restart your iPad:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

After restarting the iPad, it may be necessary to erase the target iPad an restart the transfer process.

neilcamp wrote:

my wifes new ipad is stuck on restoring iPad from iCloud (from her old iPad)

it won’t upgrade the iOS to ver 26 from ver 18.6 because it says “your iPad needs to finish restoring from the iCloud backup, before installing the update.”

in iCloud (settings) it tells me “Restoring messages and files(1.49 GB remaining)

this has been static for the last 5 days and does not change from day to day

can I click the “Stop restoring iPad” which gives a further choice to stop or not because “any data that has been downloaded will not be restored or backed up in the future” is the final warning

how can I correct this problem please.

plug the ipad to power, connect to wifi, lock the ipad and then leave it alone so it can finish the restore.