After using your iPad for some time, you might turn it on and find that the Apple logo appears slowly, that loading takes longer, and it doesn’t work how it used to? Is your iPad running slow? Check out these five tips to improve the speed of your device.
Why is My iPad Slow? 10 Potential Causes and Fixes
iPads are not quite like their smaller sister, the iPhone. They have a longer life and do not need to be upgraded or traded in as often. However, over time, you will experience slowness, and when it loses the seamless touch response it’s known for, you will likely become frustrated with your slow iPad.
My two-year-old iPad recently started responding sluggishly. When a basic reboot didn’t work, I took a few steps to make it faster. For instance, a device’s storage being too full can be the cause of an iPad running slowly.
1. Clear the Cache:
Clearing the cache is like emptying the trash. The more websites you visit, the more information is stored in your web browser’s folder. When it gets too full, it starts to ‘overflow,’ slowing down your tablet.
To clear the cache (using Safari), go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Data
2. Delete Apps You Don’t Use:
Swipe through the pages on your iPad, and you’ll likely find applications you don’t actively use – or have never used! Get rid of them. Every bit counts for someone with only 100 bytes of memory left. Extend the purging to your iTunes music, or switch to an online service like Spotify or Pandora.
3. Backup Photos to iCloud to Free Space:
Photos hogged more than 2GB of memory on my iPad. Take advantage of the cloud. With any Apple device, you get 5GB of iCloud storage free. (If that’s not enough, additional storage starts at just $.99 per month).
Turn on iCloud sharing: go to Settings > iCloud > Login or setup a free account > Photos > iCloud Photo Library (Beta)
4. Complete the Wipe:
If the steps above fail, a complete wipe of the device may be in order. Restoring the iPad to factory settings wipes all data, so you can start with a clean slate. But before anything, back up your device’s information to a computer.
Restore your device to factory settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings
5. Reduce Background App Activity
One reason your iPad is running slow could be excessive background activity. Many apps continue running in the background even when you’re not using them, consuming battery life, processing power, and internet speed.
To fix a slow iPad, disable background app refresh by going to Settings > General > Background App Refresh, then tap Enable only for essential apps. Closing unnecessary open apps from the home screen by double-clicking the home button and swiping them away can also help improve overall performance.
6. Optimize Battery Settings
Low power mode is great for extending battery life, but it may reduce your iPad’s performance by slowing down processing power and background functions. If your iPad is running slowly, check if low power mode is enabled by going to Settings > Battery > Tap Battery and turning it off if necessary.
Additionally, monitoring battery health can help determine if your iPad’s performance is suffering due to an aging battery. Replacing your iPad or iPhone battery can restore performance if the current one is significantly degraded.
7. Improve Your Internet Connection
A slow internet connection is often mistaken for a slow iPad, especially when streaming videos or browsing websites. If web pages take too long to load, try restarting your Wi-Fi router or switching to a different network.
To refresh the connection, you can also go to Settings > Wi-Fi and forget the network before reconnecting. If you regularly experience slow speeds, upgrading to a faster internet plan or using a newer Wi-Fi router can significantly improve your experience.
8. Turn Off Unnecessary Features
Some built-in iPad features can consume storage space and slow down your device over time. For example, ad blockers and location services running in the background can impact device performance.
To optimize your iPad, disable unnecessary features by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and turning them off for apps that don’t require location tracking. Also, ensure unnecessary system animations are turned off by going to Settings > Accessibility > Reduce Motion.
9. Update to the Latest iOS Version
Running an outdated operating system can cause performance issues, security vulnerabilities, and slowdowns on your iPad. Installing iOS updates ensures your device is running efficiently with the latest software optimizations.
To update, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest version if available. If your ipad models no longer support new updates, it may be time to consider upgrading to a new iPad for better performance and more free storage space.
10. Release and Replace:
Is your iPad still operating slowly after completing these steps? It might be time for a new one. Technology only slows down with time, so lock in the best price for your old iPad today with Gazelle.
FAQs
How do you fix a slow-running iPad?
If your iPad is running slow, there are several steps you can take to improve its performance. Start by restarting the device to clear temporary data and close any background apps that may slow it down. Check the settings app to ensure you have enough free storage space, as a nearly full device can affect overall performance. Updating to the latest version of iOS and limiting background app refresh can also help fix a slow iPad. If the issue persists, a factory reset may be necessary to restore the iPad to its default state.
How do I clean up my iPad to make it faster?
Clear up storage space by deleting unnecessary files and apps to improve your iPad’s performance. Open the settings app, navigate to the iPad’s storage, and remove unused apps, large media files, and old documents. Tap clear history in Safari to remove cached website data, and disable background app refresh to prevent apps from consuming resources in the background. If your iPad is running slowly, consider restarting the device and checking battery health under tap battery to ensure low power mode is not affecting performance.
Do iPads get slower over time?
Yes, iPads can slow down over time due to software updates, aging battery life, and limited free storage space. Older iPad models may struggle to keep up with new operating system demands, especially if storage is nearly full. Running too many background apps or using an outdated Wi-Fi router can contribute to slower internet speed and performance issues. To keep your iPad running efficiently, regularly delete unused apps, update iOS, and restart the device when it feels slow.
How do I clear my cache on my iPad?
Clearing the cache on an iPad helps free up storage space and improve device performance. To remove cached data from Safari, open the settings app, go to Safari, and tap clear history and website data. For other apps, you may need to delete and reinstall them to clear the stored cache. If your iPad feels slow, check for pending iOS updates, restart the device, and ensure enough storage is available for optimal function.