iPad Running Slow or Lagging? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Network congestion or reconnecting to cell towers while moving
• Low Power Mode turned on
• An iPad that’s too hot or too cold
• Force-closing apps unnecessarily
• An aging battery that has lost peak performance
• A touch screen that responds to taps incorrectly

Step-by-Step Solutions

Work through these steps in order, starting with the quick checks, and see whether your iPad feels faster after each one.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check your network connection

   Apps often need the internet, so a busy or changing connection can make them feel slow.

   Apple says slow performance can come from network congestion, or from your device reconnecting to cell towers while you move.

   Even with a strong signal, you might need to wait, try a different location, or use Wi-Fi.

   If your iPad uses cellular data and the problems continue across several locations, contact your carrier.

2. 2

   Step 2: Turn off Low Power Mode

   Low Power Mode saves battery by turning off some features or making them work slower.

   When Low Power Mode is on, the battery icon turns yellow. It also reduces display brightness, turns off some visual effects and turns off Background App Refresh.

   To change it, open Settings and tap Battery. If you need your iPad to work without low-power restrictions, leave Low Power Mode off.

   Good to know

   Low Power Mode turns off by itself when you charge your device to 80% or higher.

3. 3

   Step 3: Move your iPad to a moderate temperature

   An iPad that’s too hot or too cold might run slower.

   iPad is designed for use where the ambient temperature is between 0º and 35º C (32º to 95º F). When it gets too hot or cold, it might run slower, so move it somewhere more moderate.

   When its interior temperature goes above the normal range, some apps or features run with lower frame rates or longer processing times. Avoid leaving your iPad in a car on a hot day or in direct sunlight for a long time. Cold temperatures might also affect performance.

   If a temperature warning screen appears, turn off your iPad, move it somewhere cooler and away from direct sunlight, and let it cool down.

   Good to know

   Your iPad can feel warm while you set it up, restore from a backup, update its software or stream high-quality video. Apple says that’s normal, and it cools when you finish.

4. 4

   Step 4: Check your available storage

   Apple recommends keeping at least 1 GB of free space to avoid slowdowns.

   iPadOS manages storage automatically during app installs and updates. To check how much space you have, open Settings, tap General, then tap iPad Storage.

   That screen lists your apps with the space each one uses, and it can offer storage-saving recommendations. To free up more, tap an app and choose an option.

   • Offload the app: frees up the storage the app uses but keeps its documents and data.
   • Delete the app: removes the app and its related data.
5. 5

   Step 5: Restart your iPad

   Apple suggests a restart if the touch screen doesn’t seem to respond correctly.

   A touch screen that responds to taps incorrectly can make your iPad seem slow. If you think that’s happening, restart it.

   On an iPad without a Home button, press and hold either volume button and the top button until the power off slider appears. On an iPad with a Home button, press and hold the top button until the slider appears.

   Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your iPad to turn off. To turn it back on, press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo.

   Good to know

   If your iPad is frozen or unresponsive, Apple says to force restart it instead.

6. 6

   Step 6: Close only an app that isn’t responding

   Close an app when it stops responding, not as a routine habit.

   Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, or double-click the Home button on older models. Find the app, then swipe up on its preview to close it.

   Good to know

   Force-closing apps unnecessarily can slow down your iPad. Reopening a closed app takes longer because it has to reload all its data.

7. 7

   Step 7: Check your battery health

   Batteries wear out, and an older battery loses capacity and peak performance.

   All rechargeable batteries wear out over time, and eventually you’ll need to replace yours. If the battery needs replacing, iPadOS can show its health and recommend replacement.

   Open Settings, tap Battery, then tap Battery Health.

Frequently Asked Questions