iPad Pro 4th Gen unable to Setup (no Activationlock)

Question

iPad Pro 4th Gen unable to Setup (no Activationlock)

Deleted the iPad from my European Apple Account with a factory reset and deleted it from Find me (full delete from that account).

Now I want to configure it for my Actual account im using since im now living in Japan, but the iPad Pro 4th gen gets stuck either when selecting language and dictionary, on the screen after I had to insert my iPhone passcode for the transfer (gets stuck on the screen after I entered it), or it stays 9 hours in "activating" without anything happening. if I press the lock button for a few seconds, I can't click anything in the menu even though when im stuck in "choosing language" or "enter Passcode" nothing happens. its just frozen and refuses to do anything until I force restart it.

used the usb-c cable and connected it to my Mac. updated it, did another restore and everything, still nothing changes.

how do I setup my iPad then?

iPad Pro (4th generation)

Posted on Dec 16, 2025 7:00 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 16, 2025 9:55 AM in response to TheBannedWizard

You mentioned you did a restore via Mac, but a standard restore doesn't always rewrite the Firmware. DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is the most thorough reset possible.

1. Connect the iPad to your Mac.

2. Press Volume Up, then Volume Down.

3. Hold the Top Power Button until the screen goes black.

4. As soon as it goes black, hold the Volume Down button while still holding the Power Button for 5 seconds.

5. Release the Power Button but keep holding Volume Down for another 10 seconds.

6. The screen should stay completely black, but your Mac should say it has detected an iPad in recovery mode.

7. Click Restore in Finder. This will download a fresh copy of iPadOS and reinstall it from scratch.

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Answer 2

Dec 17, 2025 12:58 AM in response to TheBannedWizard

Ok, OP here. I've been to the Applestore Shinsaibashi, and they made a diagnosis. my eSim and Bluetooth module had errors. And the same that happened to me when I tried to do something, the iPad Softlocked or gut stuck on different parts of the Setup, without getting anywhere. Although the iPad hasn't been using much and its 1 year and 11 months since I bought it, I'll get a free replacement since I got AppleCare+.

So although the iPad wasn't "dead", like it is now, prior to Factory reset, it'll get replaced. thanks everyone for reading and or trying to help.

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Answer 3

Dec 16, 2025 1:37 PM in response to TheBannedWizard

That's btw 12 hours in.

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Answer 4

Dec 16, 2025 1:38 PM in response to Morpheus_001

Did that. already. even twice.

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