HT201274: Erase all content and settings on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch

Learn about Erase all content and settings on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch
lemon.h2o

Q: My iPad is currently on OS version 7.1.2 and has not been upgraded to 8 yet.  If I do an "Erase All Content and Settings" will iTune force an upgrade to 8?  I would like to keep the device at 7.1.2.

My iPad is currently on OS version 7.1.2 and has not been upgraded to 8 yet.  If I do an "Erase All Content and Settings" on the device will the device be forced to upgrade to 8 ?  I would like to keep the device at 7.1.2.

iPad, iOS 7.1.2

Posted on Oct 10, 2014 9:53 AM

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Q: My iPad is currently on OS version 7.1.2 and has not been upgraded to 8 yet.  If I do an "Erase All Content and Settings" wil ... more

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Oct 10, 2014 9:55 AM in response to lemon.h2o
    Level 10 (271,138 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 10, 2014 9:55 AM in response to lemon.h2o

    Yes, it will force an upgrade to iOS 8.

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Oct 10, 2014 9:57 AM in response to lemon.h2o
    Level 7 (27,431 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 10, 2014 9:57 AM in response to lemon.h2o

    No, not at all.  If you Erase all Content and Settings form the device itself, the Device will not update to iOS 8.  It will remain at iOS 7  but will be wiped clean.

  • by Demo,

    Demo Demo Oct 10, 2014 10:06 AM in response to lemon.h2o
    Level 10 (95,476 points)
    iPad
    Oct 10, 2014 10:06 AM in response to lemon.h2o

    I am chiming in in order to break the tie.

     

    You will not be forced to upgrade to iOS 8. You will simply be erasing all of the content and settings on the iPad - just like it says.

  • by lemon.h2o,

    lemon.h2o lemon.h2o Oct 10, 2014 10:14 AM in response to lemon.h2o
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 10, 2014 10:14 AM in response to lemon.h2o

    Thanks for chiming in.  How can I be sure that the device isn't force to upgrade?  Should I disconnect it from the MAC ( usb ) and make sure it doesn't run out of power before the reset is completed?

     

    Once completed will I have problems with iTunes? Being able to install applications and reload the photos and music?

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Oct 10, 2014 10:21 AM in response to lemon.h2o
    Level 7 (27,431 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 10, 2014 10:21 AM in response to lemon.h2o

    To Perform the Erase All Content and Settings directly on the iPad it does not need to be connected to a computer.

     

    In fact yes, is better if its not connected to one, but simply connected to its charger, and have it plugged in. Erase All content and settings, will not update the iOS.

     

    If you restore the iPad using iTunes on your computer with the iPad connected, then it will update to iOS 8. Because the restore will place the newest available iOS version supported by the Phone on it.

     

    Basically disconnect the iPhone, plug it in to its charger, and the charger to the wall, and then on the iPad go to Settings->General->Reset->Erase all Content and Settings.  This will wipe clean the iPhone but will do nothing to the underlying iOS installation.

     

    Once everything is removed, you can plug it into iTunes and sync your content back.  Do not attempt to restore from backup while connected to iTunes, as it will update the iOS version in the process. Simply sync and you should have no issues.

  • by Demo,

    Demo Demo Oct 10, 2014 10:21 AM in response to lemon.h2o
    Level 10 (95,476 points)
    iPad
    Oct 10, 2014 10:21 AM in response to lemon.h2o

    There is no reason to connect the iPad your Mac. I would plug it into a wall socket using the power adapter while you erase it and activate again.

     

    When you activate over WifI, you will be given an opportunity to restore a backup - either from iCloud or from iTunes. If you backup with iCloud and do not sync with iTunes at all, everything will download from the cloud when the device is activating. If you use iTunes, you will have to plug into the Mac, start iTunes, restore the backup, and sync all of your apps, music, photos, etc., back to the iPad.

  • by The4G,

    The4G The4G Oct 10, 2014 10:39 AM in response to lemon.h2o
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 10, 2014 10:39 AM in response to lemon.h2o

    If you have Ipad2 don't install iOS8 since Apple resolve all problems like "no service" in 3G connection , wi fi problem, keyboard problem.....

  • by Demo,

    Demo Demo Oct 10, 2014 10:42 AM in response to The4G
    Level 10 (95,476 points)
    iPad
    Oct 10, 2014 10:42 AM in response to The4G

    Read the first post again. The OP does NOT want to upgrade. That is what the inquiry was all about in the first place.

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Oct 10, 2014 11:10 AM in response to The4G
    Level 7 (27,431 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 10, 2014 11:10 AM in response to The4G

    Nobody wants to update. OP wants to specifically avoid updating.

  • by lemon.h2o,

    lemon.h2o lemon.h2o Oct 16, 2014 6:01 AM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 6:01 AM in response to Phil0124

    I didn't mention that the iPad with 7.1.2 is jailbroken.  I did try the "erase all content and setting".  It sat in the shutdown state, with a black screen and that small wheel spinning around.  I left it overnight and it is still sitting in that state.  To get out of that state, I did a hard reboot, sleep & home button and get the ipad back.  The result is that no content or settings have been removed.

     

    Wondering why it didn't work.  Was it because the device is jailbroken?  Should I try again or do I run the risk of bricking the device?  Your comments will be very much appreciated!

     

    Regards

  • by lemon.h2o,

    lemon.h2o lemon.h2o Oct 16, 2014 6:27 AM in response to lemon.h2o
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 6:27 AM in response to lemon.h2o

    Sorry for the double post, but I should have replied to OP.

     

    I didn't mention that the iPad with 7.1.2 is jailbroken.  I did try the "erase all content and setting".  It sat in the shutdown state, with a black screen and that small wheel spinning around.  I left it overnight and it is still sitting in that state.  To get out of that state, I did a hard reboot, sleep & home button and get the ipad back.  The result is that no content or settings have been removed.

     

    Wondering why it didn't work.  Was it because the device is jailbroken?  Should I try again or do I run the risk of bricking the device?  Your comments will be very much appreciated!

     

    Regards

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Oct 16, 2014 6:40 AM in response to lemon.h2o
    Level 7 (27,431 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 16, 2014 6:40 AM in response to lemon.h2o

    Jailbreaking changes the iPads Software at a operational level. It is unknown what it may have done.

     

    Since Jailbreaking is not supported by Apple, and thus we cannot discuss jailbroken devices in these forums, you are on your own. We cannot help you with a jailbroken device as per the terms of service of these forums.

     

    Its very likely though, that whatever the Jailbreak did, is preventing the iPad from completing the Erase all content and settings.

     

    The only way to clear it now, is to restore it through iTunes, and that will cause it update to iOS 8 and will also remove the jailbreak in the process.

  • by lemon.h2o,Solvedanswer

    lemon.h2o lemon.h2o Oct 16, 2014 7:13 AM in response to lemon.h2o
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 7:13 AM in response to lemon.h2o

    Phil, thank you for you comments.  Fortunately I was able to restore the iPad.

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Oct 16, 2014 7:52 AM in response to lemon.h2o
    Level 7 (27,431 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 16, 2014 7:52 AM in response to lemon.h2o

    Glad to hear it worked out.