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When an iPad displays the Apple logo for an extended period during an upgrade, it's often indicative of an issue with the installation process. Placing the device in recovery mode is a recommended action because it allows you to restore the system without losing data in some cases. Recovery mode helps the device enter a special state where it can interact with iTunes or Finder (on macOS) to either update or restore the iPad's operating system.

This approach is particularly useful when the device is stuck, as it can help facilitate a fresh installation of the firmware, potentially resolving any corruption or issues that occurred during the upgrade process. It's a troubleshooting step that addresses deeper issues when standard restart or other actions don’t work.

On the other hand, forcing a shutdown can sometimes help, but it may not resolve underlying problems during an upgrade. Waiting for the battery to die is not practical since it prolongs the issue and may lead to further complications. Reinstalling an app is irrelevant in this scenario since the problem lies with the iPad's operating system rather than a specific application. Therefore, entering recovery mode is the effective solution for addressing upgrade-related issues.