Looking for a way on How to Fix a Slow iPad? The more you use the device, the more it slows down as all devices tend to lag in speed over time. This is relatively similar for all and not limited to just iPads.
Even PC users complained about their computer slowing down even more as they get older.
This is explanatory as Windows usually gets bloated with new software continuously bogging down the Registry. Thus slowing the device.
So, Is your iPad slow lately? Well, It could be due to the several reasons listed below.
Cause of Slow iPad Performance
The older your iPad gets, the Apps tend to load a bit slower, the menus and settings take a bit longer to show up.
Unfortunately this is actually quite normal and there are many reasons why your iPad may be running slowly.
- Updates may not be optimized for your device and may have slowed it down.
- Device Storage is full.
- Individual app issues.
- Background App Refresh is on.
- Slow internet connection.
- Clear Cache and whatnot.
The good news is that, all of these problems can be an easy fix.
How to Fix a Slow iPad
Below are the steps, you can do for how to fix an iPad that is running very slowly.
Restart iPad
Restarting your device is the first troubleshooting step for any tech problem. It’s the same for your iPad.
The more apps you use, the more RAM it takes up. Even if you manually close the apps, they are not completely closed out as remnants of the apps still stick around and this, in turn, fills up your RAM and less room for newer applications.
So, restarting your iPad basically cleared out everything from the temporary memory with all the running apps killed and you are starting off with a new slate.
Update to the Latest iOS?
Updating to the latest iOS is good. Right? Well, yes and no!
Usually any iOS updates even the android ones are designed to fix bugs, security fixes, glitches, etc. So, it’s vital that you keep your OS up to date.
However, the software is meant for the specs and hardware of the new device.
So, if you have an older iPad, with each update over the years, new features and processing systems require newer hardware and since older iPads don’t run with the advanced hardware the latest iOS updates require, it will slow down.
Note: If your iPad can be updated to iOS 11, it can also be updated to iOS 12, which Apple has promised that unlike the past updates, it will speed up iPad rather than slowing them down.
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Apps Issues
If you are experiencing lags or slow performance on your iPad only when you’re using a particular app, chances are the problem is with the app rather than the iPad itself.
Remove Apps from the App Switcher
Every app you open are added to the App Switcher which is a multitasking feature that allows you to view, switch to, and manage your open apps with ease and quick access as a grid of thumbnails.
Many of these apps are running background and can take up memory and reduce performance.
To close the apps from App Switcher
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to just below the center to open the App Switcher
- Swipe left or right through your open apps and swipe up on the app to close them.
Clear Cache
Cache stores all website data such as HTML files, JavaScript scripts, as well as graphic images, cookies, etc used to reload the applications or websites much faster the next time you visit the same site.
The initial intent was for the page load time to be faster.
However, the more websites you visit, the more data and information are stored in your web browser’s folder. When the cache gets too bloated, it can have the opposite effect and thus slowing down instead.
To clear the cache (using Safari), head over to Settings < Safari < Clear History and Data
Check your iPad Storage
Check if your iPad has a low-memory issue. Since most of the time it performs poorly once they hit around 80- 90% of their device storage capacity.
If that is the case, maybe it’s time for some spring cleaning.
- Head over to Settings > General > iPad Storage
- Check your used vs. available storage graph.
- Scroll down to see how much storage space each app takes up.
Delete Unused Apps
If your iPad indeed does lack storage space, try removing the unused apps that you rarely use, and freeing up space makes it easier for iOS to operate.
To delete an app:
- Open Settings < General < iPad Storage.
- Now, tap on the app that you’d like to uninstall < tap Delete App.
You can also delete your app by pressing and holding simultaneously on the app icon and on the top right, tap on the X to delete it.
Note: If your iPad is still lagging despite having a decent storage space, it’s probably a RAM issue rather than a storage issue.
Backup Photos and Movies to iCloud
If you still have items that take up tons of space but are essential and a necessity to you such as Music, Podcasts, Movies, and Photos. It’s probably worth offloading those pictures on iCloud instead of storing locally.
This is also beneficial in case if anything happens to your iPad, your content are still preserved on your iCloud.
However, the problem with this is that, deleting the photos from your iPad, will also delete it from iCloud!
There are 2 solution to this:
- Disabling iCloud Photo Library on the iPad will preserve your photo on iCloud when you delete them from the iPad. But you have to use the web interface at www.icloud.com to access them.
- Exporting to an external hard drive or computer and save them offline.
Stop Background App Refresh
Background App Refresh as the name suggests can check for updates and new content running background.
It basically allows the apps on your device even if they are not actively running on the screen to automatically search for new information.
Apart from slowing down your device, it also can drain your data and battery life too. So, unless you need up-to-date info on every installed app on your iPad, try turning it off and see if you experience any improvements.
How To turn off Background App Refresh on your iPad:
- Head over to Settings.
- Tap on General.
- Click on “Background App Refresh.”
- Toggle to turn off Background App Refresh. You can also turn off by individual app via the menu underneath.
Stop Notifications
Notifications can be really helpful and can let you alert on important things that needed immediate attention.
But that isn’t the case for all apps. For instance, you don’t need a notification every time someone likes your Facebook or Instagram post.
Head over to Settings > Notifications and, choose the unnecessary app, set Notifications to Off.
Check your Internet/ Wi-Fi Connection
If your Safari or Chrome is running slow, maybe you ought to check your internet connection first rather than blaming it on your iPad.
There are tons of free speed testing tools out there such as Speed.com, Ookla Speed test, etc.
If you mainly use your iPad for work purposes such as Skype call, Facetime, Hard drive backups, you do require a good upload speed.
However, if your iPad usage mostly consist of streaming Netflix or watching YouTube videos, you can check your download speed and other related info on Ookla.
Note: Use this AT&T Speed calculator to check how much speed you need?
Change Your Graphics Settings
The above steps should help you with your speed even a bit. However, if things didn’t improve, maybe we could look more minutely.
So, back to the whole RAM thing, if you have lower RAM and have a plethora of app, it can have an impact on your iPad performance.
To increase the processing power of your iPad and speed up your device:
- Open Settings app.
- Head over to General < Accessibility.
- Toggle Reduce Transparency and Reduce Motion on.
Turn Off Siri & Search
If you don’t use voice search or Siri enough, how about disabling to free up some processing power.
I know this sounds inconvenient and unnecessary which is why i recommend you turn it off if you do not use Siri much.
This can save your processing power it takes to index every search item on your iPad.
To turn it off
- Head over to Settings.
- Tap on Siri & Search.
- You can decide for each individual app to either turn it on or off. This way you can keep your most essential apps and searches on while turning off those you really don’t need.
Apple Trade In
If any of the above steps don’t work for you and your iPad is over a few years old, maybe the time has come to consider replacing your device.
You can also use the Apple Trade-In Programme and trade in your old iPad and get some extra cash to spend on a new device.
They will give you a Store gift card for Apple, Amazon, or Best Buy for the value of your old iPad.
If you have any other tips on How to Fix a Slow iPad, do let us know in the comments section below.
