IPad Air 2 will not restore - frozen with iTunes link

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Level 1

88 points

IPad Air 2 will not restore - frozen with iTunes link

My husband (PC user who hates Apple) has a new/used iPad 2 he's trying to get to replace an old one, which has been backed up.

Update/Restore isn't working to get it up to date to get through this process. Update outright fails - so I tried restore and that failed too with unknown error. Now the iPad is locked up with the screen showing a cable pointing to the iTunes red logo. Powering off and back on doesn't clear it. It's completely frozen now. The PC no longer recognizes it as a device.

Is there a full hard reset? I've tried Power+Home held down until the Apple logo appears - but the cable/iTunes logo image reappears on the screen.

Would I have better luck hooking it up to my Mac and trying a restore from there?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), 3.4GHz i7 3TB Fusion 32MB

Posted on Jul 31, 2015 5:31 AM

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Answer 1

LaGena76

Level 1

8 points

Dec 22, 2017 10:29 PM in response to igirl1

I HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM!!!! TO THE T!!!

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Answer 2

igirl1 Author

Level 1

88 points

Jul 31, 2015 5:44 AM in response to igirl1

Now trying FORCE RECOVERY as per the instructions I just found in another thread -

I'm doing this on my Mac so it's not so squirrley...

FORCE IPAD INTO RECOVERY MODE

1. Turn off iPad

2. Turn on computer and launch iTunes (make sure you have the latest version of iTune)

3. Plug USB cable into computer's USB port

4. Hold Home button down and plug the other end of cable into docking port.

DO NOT RELEASE BUTTON until you see picture of iTunes and plug

5. Release Home button.

ON COMPUTER

6. iTunes has detected iPad in recovery mode. You must restore this iPad before it can be used with iTunes

7. Select "Restore iPad"...

Note:

1. Data will be lost if you do not have backup

2. You must follow step 1 to step 4 VERY CLOSELY.

iPad air had a frozen icon screen. Now shows iTunes icon with plug. Corporate device with several apps. Do not want to restore and lose data

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Answer 3

igirl1 Author

Level 1

88 points

Jul 31, 2015 6:44 AM in response to igirl1

UPDATE - this procedure worked and I ran it from my Mac instead of the PC to improve reliability and chances of success.

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Answer 4

nschorr

Level 1

20 points

Sep 17, 2015 4:57 PM in response to igirl1

I was in the process of updating my iPad Air 2 to IOS 9 when it crapped out (a technical term). Had the same problem as you did. I worked on it for almost 3 hours and was about to make a reservation at the local Genius Bar when I came upon your post. IT WORKED!!! Thanks so much!

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