How to Fix a Slow iPad

You might need to reset it to make your iPad fast again. But first, close all the open apps, reboot the tablet, and then disable Background App Refresh

By
Daniel Nations
Daniel Nations
Daniel Nations
Writer
  • University of Texas at Arlington
Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator.
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Updated on May 1, 2024
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Is your iPad running slowly, or does it bog down after a few hours? While reduced performance is more likely to happen with older iPad models, even the newest iPad can feel slow at times. We'll explain why, plus what to do to get back on the fast track.

Why Your iPad Is So Slow

The good news is that this is likely a software problem, especially for the latest iPads. Here are some reasons your iPad is slower than it once was:

  • One or more apps have performance issues.
  • A website, or the whole internet connection, is slow.
  • The iPad's operating system is outdated.
  • Your tablet is getting too hot.
  • Background App Refresh is turned on.
  • Its storage space is full.
  • The battery is failing.

iPads and computers are functionally different. If, after trying all of our tips, your iPad still can't perform the way you need it to, consider the differences between a tablet and a laptop. You might decide that a full-on computer is better suited for your needs.

What to Do When Your iPad Is Slow

Before you go out and buy a new tablet, walk through our solutions to help get your iPad racing again (or as close to it as physically possible):

  1. Close all open apps. One reason an iPad slows down is because of a problem with an app rather than the iPad itself. Restarting your apps may fix the problem.

  2. Restart the iPad. When you hit a snag with any electronic device, an excellent early step is to restart it.

    A reboot flushes everything from memory without deleting anything, so give it a shot before you continue with these tips.

  3. Turn off Background App Refresh. As useful of a feature as this is, having apps hang around in the background is a surefire way to slow down your tablet. If you think you know which apps are to blame, turn this feature off for just those apps; otherwise, disable the whole function and see if that makes your iPad any faster.

  4. Address your poor Wi-Fi connection. It's extremely common to conflate slow internet with a slow device. If your connection to the internet is slow, it makes your iPad feel slow because downloading, streaming, and browsing are all negatively affected. Fix your slow internet and you might just feel like you have a brand-new iPad!

  5. Update to the latest version of iPadOS. It's important to keep the operating system up to date. Doing so ensures that you have the most recent performance updates and security fixes.

  6. Disable Low Power Mode. Your iPad uses less power when this is turned on, so apps and other functions might run slower than you're used to. To turn this off, switch off the toggle in Settings > Battery.

  7. Fix the overheating issue. Slow apps and general sluggishness without any real cause could mean your iPad is overheating.

  8. Install an ad blocker. If your iPad primarily slows down when browsing the web, but an internet speed test returns normal results, then the pages you're visiting are to blame for making your iPad slow.

    The more advertisements a web page has, the longer it takes to fully load. Ad blockers prevent ads from loading, which in turn can speed up your iPad's access to those pages.

  9. Delete apps you no longer use. This will free up more space on your device which in turn can speed up overall performance. Apple recommends having at least 1 GB of free space at all times.

    To see which apps use the most space on your iPad, go to Settings > General > iPad Storage. Delete the apps you don't use by tapping the app and choosing Delete App.

    Don't want to completely delete the app? Choose Offload App instead of the delete option. Doing this will remove the app to free up the space it's using up, but the app's data will remain should you decide to reinstall the app later.

  10. Factory reset the iPad. This is a drastic step, so be sure to try all the above tips first. If your iPad is slow because of a software problem, a software reset is the answer.

  11. Replace the iPad's battery. This isn't as easy to do yourself as these other solutions, but it might be necessary. Your iPad running slowly could be a symptom of a failing battery.

  12. Buy a new iPad. Although it's not technically a solution, it is your final option if you want to stick to Apple's tablet but these software and hardware fixes weren't enough to speed up your iPad.

FAQ
  • Why is my iPad charging so slowly?

    There could be several reasons it's charging slowly, including not using the charger that came with your iPad. Also, charging your iPad with your computer may not produce enough power to charge properly.

  • How can I fix an iPad app that won't update?

    If you have an app that won't update on your iPad, including the OS, the first thing to try is to reboot your iPad. You can also remove and reinstall the app. Make sure you have a reliable network connection; the download may keep stalling out if you have a spotty connection.

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