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User profile for user: atw4
atw4 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Why does the iPadOS 18.1 update fail on a newly activating 2024 iPad Pro?

I am trying to activate a new M4 iPad Pro, to replace my old iPad. The activation fails upon the step to update the new iPad to iPadOS 18.1. There is no option to skip the update and do it later. I have a Software Update dialog box on the new iPad Pro, and my old iPad is sitting alongside with a dialog box "Waiting for Software Update". Both new and old iPad just have spinning wheels on this step. The new iPad Pro did request, download and prepare the 18.1 update as far as I can tell, the failure is occurring at the start of the install.

Posted on Nov 7, 2024 12:50 AM

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User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
289,870 points

Posted on Nov 7, 2024 2:38 AM

There is a known issue - encountered when setting-up a new (unused) iPad and updating to iPadOS 18.x. You will need to interrupt the stalled process with 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.




After restarting the iPad, allow the new iPad to complete initial setup and software update without attempting to transfer data, or restoring a backup, to the new device. Instead, simply set-up using your AppleID (now known as your Apple Account).


When the update process has completed, reset the iPad - and THEN perform the transfer/restore if required:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content & Settings

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4 replies
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User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
289,870 points

Nov 7, 2024 2:38 AM in response to atw4

There is a known issue - encountered when setting-up a new (unused) iPad and updating to iPadOS 18.x. You will need to interrupt the stalled process with 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.




After restarting the iPad, allow the new iPad to complete initial setup and software update without attempting to transfer data, or restoring a backup, to the new device. Instead, simply set-up using your AppleID (now known as your Apple Account).


When the update process has completed, reset the iPad - and THEN perform the transfer/restore if required:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content & Settings

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User profile for user: atw4
atw4 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Nov 7, 2024 6:58 AM in response to LotusPilot

Thanks a ton, LotusPilot, your reply was helpful and right on. I had separately installed Apple Configurator on my MacBook and was preparing to manually connect the new device and attempt to complete the upgrade that way, but tried your instructions first and they worked. This is frankly the worst Apple device activation experience I have ever had, and I've been using Apple devices from the first iPhone in 2007 and iPad in 2010. Very disappointing, and I hope they avoid this in the future. But your response was great.

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Why does the iPadOS 18.1 update fail on a newly activating 2024 iPad Pro?

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