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My home button will not work to let me get into my iPad

The home button will not work too allow me to get into my ipad. Neither does the off button work to allow me to reboot. Any ideas?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad, iPadOS 16

Posted on Mar 9, 2023 5:43 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 9, 2023 6:20 AM

It is a common misconception that an iPad (or iPhone) can remain fully functional with damaged or defective physical buttons. 


Whilst Accessibility features (such as assistive touch) can be used to augment the User Interface, these features cannot be used as a substitute for physical button sequences that must be used to trigger system recovery actions. Sooner or later, you will encounter a situation from which you cannot recover.


If your iPad has any damaged/unresponsive physical buttons, until repaired, you will not be able to resolve many problems.


Assuming the the buttons of your iPad are actually functional, if your iPad appears to be unresponsive, connect your iPad to its Power Adapter and allow the iPad to charge undisturbed for at least an hour - or possibly overnight. Then, while still connected to external power, try a forced-restart:


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.




Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.




If iPad still doesn’t turn on, or if it gets stuck during start up, see the Apple Support article If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won’t turn on or is frozen. Or if your iPad isn’t working correctly after you restart it, see the iPad Support website.


If you continue to experience difficulties, you will need to seek assistance directly from from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/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 test and assess your iPad:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple




1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 9, 2023 6:20 AM in response to annpot

It is a common misconception that an iPad (or iPhone) can remain fully functional with damaged or defective physical buttons. 


Whilst Accessibility features (such as assistive touch) can be used to augment the User Interface, these features cannot be used as a substitute for physical button sequences that must be used to trigger system recovery actions. Sooner or later, you will encounter a situation from which you cannot recover.


If your iPad has any damaged/unresponsive physical buttons, until repaired, you will not be able to resolve many problems.


Assuming the the buttons of your iPad are actually functional, if your iPad appears to be unresponsive, connect your iPad to its Power Adapter and allow the iPad to charge undisturbed for at least an hour - or possibly overnight. Then, while still connected to external power, try a forced-restart:


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.




Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.




If iPad still doesn’t turn on, or if it gets stuck during start up, see the Apple Support article If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won’t turn on or is frozen. Or if your iPad isn’t working correctly after you restart it, see the iPad Support website.


If you continue to experience difficulties, you will need to seek assistance directly from from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/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 test and assess your iPad:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple




My home button will not work to let me get into my iPad

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