iPad Running Slow? Here’s How to Speed It Up

The Apple iPad is the world’s most popular tablet, with all the tools and features you expect from a top-tier portable computer. That said, even a reliable iPad can slow down over time - whether it’s a sluggish internet connection, apps taking too long to load, or delayed replies when switching between tasks.

iPads can perform sluggishly because of background processes, aging hardware, low storage, and more. With care, an iPad can last five years or more. But that doesn’t mean it will always run at peak performance without a little maintenance. Fortunately, we’ve assembled a list of ways you can breathe new life back into your device. Whether you have an older-model iPad or a newer one that isn’t running as fast as you expect, let’s troubleshoot and fix your slow iPad.

Why Is My iPad Running Slowly?

There are quite a few reasons why your iPad may be operating at less than optimum speed. Most likely, one of the following reasons is the culprit.

Outdated Software

Older versions of iPadOS can give you performance problems because of outdated code and security vulnerabilities. Updating to the latest iPadOS version gives your device the latest fixes and performance improvements.

Too Many Background Apps

When you have lots of open apps running in the background, they continue to take power and memory - like RAM and CPU power - this slows down performance, and that’s also the case if you have resource-heavy apps left open.

Insufficient Storage Space

When your iPad storage gets full, system performance can struggle because of the iPad’s reliance on available storage for temporary processes. If your storage is over 80% full, you might see an actual drop in performance. As a general rule, try to keep at least 1 GB of free space available at all times to help your iPad run better.

Battery Health Issues

Much like an iPhone battery, an iPad’s battery health can fade over time, and that’s also the case with heavy use. As an iPad’s battery ages, it might not deliver full power output. That leads to performance throttling to avoid unexpected shutdowns. If you have a 2024 iPad or newer running iPadOS 17.4 or later, you can check your battery health percentage directly under Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Remember that most older iPad models don’t display this information.

Demanding Apps or Processes

Certain apps - like games, high-res video editors, or augmented reality (AR) apps - need large amounts of processing power and memory. Running these apps can give you sluggish performance, and that’s also the case if you have an older iPad. With care, an iPad can last five years or more. But heavily demanding apps may expose the limits of aging hardware sooner.

Poor Internet Connection

If your iPad is running slowly while browsing the internet, streaming videos, or using cloud-based applications, the issue may be a subpar WiFi or mobile data connection - not the device itself.

 

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How to Fix Your Slow iPad

Now that we know why iPads slow down, let’s run through some steps to improve their speed and get them running like new again.

Restart Your iPad

“Why don’t you try turning it off and back on again?” As it turns out, this tried and true piece of advice has been a good idea since the dawn of consumer electronics. A simple restart can clear your iPad’s temporary files and free up system resources.

1. Press and hold the power button until the power-off slider appears.
2. Slide to power down the device and wait for it to shut down completely.
3. Wait at least 30 seconds before turning it back on by pressing and holding the power button again.

This quick process can resolve some minor slowdowns and refresh your iPad’s memory.

Update iPadOS

Keeping your iPad’s operating system updated gives you the latest performance improvements, patches, and bug fixes.

1. Open the Settings app, then tap “General” and “Software Update.”
2. If there’s an update available, your iPad will inform you - then, you can download and install it.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your iPadOS update.

Older software can have compatibility problems and outdated code, which can leave your iPad running slow.

Close Unused Apps

We all know a person who loves leaving every possible app running in the background. Unfortunately, open apps can bog down your iPad’s performance, and closing them can speed things up.

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the app switcher. On older iPads with a Home button, double-click the Home button instead.
2. Swipe up on applications to close them.

This easy two-step process can free up system resources and, so, speed things up.

Clear Cache and Cookies

Is Safari running slowly? Clearing its cache and connected website data could be the answer to improved performance.

1. Open the Settings app and navigate to Safari.
2. Tap “Clear History and Website Data.”
3. Confirm this action by tapping “Clear.”

Clearing your cache can improve browsing speed, especially if Safari has accumulated an excess of stored data over time.

Delete Apps or Unused Files

If your iPad’s storage is reaching its capacity, performance problems pop up as a result. Once your storage is about 80% full, you might start to see an impact on speed. You should aim to keep at least 1 GB of free space available at all times, so consider offloading apps or deleting large files if you’re running low.

1. Navigate to Settings > General > iPad Storage.
2. Identify and delete any large unused apps, videos, and audio files.
3. Offload apps you aren’t currently using. This removes the app but keeps its basic data to make it easier to reinstall later.

Apple devices perform best when storage isn’t overly constrained, so keeping a comfortable buffer of free space goes a long way toward maintaining smooth performance.

Disable Background App Refresh

We’ve already mentioned how leaving too many apps running in the background can drain resources from your iPad. Disabling Background App Refresh can help.

1. In the Settings app, select “General,” then tap “Background App Refresh.”
2. Toggle it off entirely or select specific apps to disable them manually.

Turning off apps’ ability to refresh their data while running in the background gives you improvements to performance and battery life.

Reduce Motion Effects

Visual effects can make animations look polished. But they can also slow iPads down - especially older models.

1. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Motion.
2. Toggle on the “Reduce Motion” option.

Disabling motion effects cuts back on the demand on your iPad’s resources, which usually helps with responsiveness.

Reset All Settings

Is your iPad still sluggish? Resetting settings can help speed it up without erasing any of your personal data.

1. In the Settings app, tap “General,” then “Transfer or Reset iPad.”
2. Tap “Reset” and then select “Reset All Settings.”
3. Enter your passcode to confirm your choice.

This will restore all default system settings. But it won’t delete apps or files like a full factory reset will.

Check Battery Status

If your battery is deteriorating, it can slow down your iPad because iPadOS may throttle performance when battery health is poor in an effort to avoid unexpected shutdowns. How you check your battery health can depend on the iPad model you own.

If you have a 2024 or later iPad running iPadOS 17.4 or later, you can follow these easy steps:

1. In the Settings app, tap “Battery,” then navigate to “Battery Health.”
2. This screen displays your battery’s health percentage, maximum capacity, and cycle count (how many times your iPad has used its full battery capacity). You can also set an 80% charging limit here to help extend your battery’s long-term lifespan.

If you have an older iPad model, the built-in Battery Health screen isn’t available. In that case, you can either dig into the device’s analytics data and log files (which is pretty tough) or use a third-party app from the App Store to get a more accessible readout.

No matter which strategy you choose, your battery’s condition is an important step in diagnosing performance problems. If your battery is degraded, replacing it may be what it takes to restore peak performance - and, an iPad can last five years or more, so a battery replacement can be well worth the investment.

Factory Reset (if all else fails!)

If none of the previous steps worked, you might need a full factory reset - this erases everything - like your personal data and files - and reinstalls iPadOS fresh.

1. Back up your iPad to iCloud or your computer first.
2. In the Settings app, choose “General” and then “Transfer or Reset iPad.”
3. Tap “Erase All Content and Settings” and follow the prompts to complete the process.

After a factory reset, you can either set up your iPad as new or restore it from your backup file.

Should You Upgrade to a Newer iPad?

If your iPad still runs slowly even after attempting these fixes, it may be time to upgrade. Older models with outdated hardware can have a hard time keeping up with the demands of modern apps and iPadOS updates.

With care, an iPad can last five years or more - but there are some signs that it’s time to move on. If your iPad no longer receives iPadOS updates, takes too long to switch between apps, loses battery power faster, or has apps that crash and freeze frequently, upgrading is likely the right call.

If you have a newer iPad (2024 models and later running iPadOS 17.4 or later), you can check your battery health directly under Settings > Battery > Battery Health to help inform your choice. A degraded battery may explain the performance problems you’re experiencing. Remember that most older iPad models don’t have this feature available.

It’s also worth checking your storage before giving up on your current device entirely. If your storage is 80% full, this alone can noticeably slow things down. Try to keep at least 1 GB of free space at all times for smoother performance.

If you do decide it’s time for a new iPad, consider selling or recycling your old one with ecoATM! We give you quick, issue-free device recycling services with instant cash payments.

Time to Upgrade? Sell Your iPad with ecoATM

A slow iPad doesn’t always mean you need a new tablet. With maintenance, an iPad can run for five years or more. Try the tips outlined in this guide to improve your device’s performance.

If it’s time to upgrade, keep in mind that ecoATM helps you responsibly recycle your old iPad. We even accept broken iPads! Simply visit the ecoATM kiosk near you (we have 6,000+ of them across the country) to get an instant quote and walk away with cash in your pocket. Don’t let your old electronics collect dust or take a one-way trip to the landfill - do the right thing for the environment (and your wallet!) with ecoATM.