Why Your iPad Battery is Draining so Fast (and how to fix it)

Why is your iPad battery draining fast and how to fix it? As an iPad user, you might have experienced a sudden decline in your device’s battery life.

For some, this could be happening even while charging or after a software update, or even due to a bug (we’ll cover how to determine whether its a faulty device or not).

Related: How to Fix your iPad Mini battery Draining so Quickly

In this blog post, we will address the reasons behind this issue and provide you with effective solutions to restore your iPad’s battery performance.

Also see: Exactly How Long Does an iPad Last? (The Truth)

iPad users who are experiencing poor battery life and want to learn how to fix the problem will benefit as we will cover various methods, settings adjustments, and best practices to ensure that your iPad battery lasts longer. If it’s draining fast all of a sudden, while your charging, or after an update, this is the post for you.

Most Common Reasons for Quick Battery Drain

• There are settings things that make the iPad battery drain fast, such as auto lock, notifications causing brightness to appear constantly overnight, background apps, and more… these are easily fixable
• However, there are serious issues that make your iPad drain quickly all of a sudden, even while you’re charging or draining 30%, 40%, and even 50% overnight sometimes. These issues could be related to updates, bugs or a faulty device.

The iPad Pro, Air, mini, and even the basic iPad has battery health settings you can check to make sure everything is running properly. To check your iPad’s battery health, open the “Settings” app, scroll down to “Battery,” and tap on “Battery Health.”

After updating your iPad software, you may experience increased battery drainage due to new features and functionalities.

Related: How to Fix iPhone Battery Draining Overnight

You have to determine whether its a fault device or its a setting or app, or something else causing the drain.

Settings you can adjust to help

Quick battery drain can result from numerous factors such as excessive app usage, background processes, and suboptimal settings. Some common culprits behind rapid battery drainage are:

1. Background App Refresh: Apps constantly updating their content in the background can consume significant battery power. Turning off Background App Refresh can help reduce battery wear.
2. Location Services: Some apps access your device’s GPS for various purposes, which can be a significant battery draw. Restricting unnecessary location permissions can help conserve battery.
3. Push Notifications: Frequent push notifications from various apps can contribute to battery drain. Limiting notifications for non-essential apps can help improve overall battery life.
4. Display Brightness: A bright screen consumes more power than a dimmer one. Adjusting brightness levels and activating Dark Mode can help save battery life.
5. Connectivity Features: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Cellular Data services, when left active, can lead to battery drain even when not in use. Disabling these connections when not required can help conserve power.

By identifying the specific reasons for battery drain on your iPad, you can apply targeted solutions to mitigate the issue and enhance the overall performance of your device.

Related: Exactly How Long Does an iPad Last? (The Truth)

Why your iPad battery is draining so fast

One of the primary reasons for an iPad battery draining fast could be due to outdated software, excessive use of location services, or power-hungry applications running in the background.

Other factors that could contribute to battery drainage are high screen brightness and constant Wi-Fi or lingering Bluetooth connections. To address these issues, it is essential to keep your device updated and adjust settings to optimize battery life.

iPad Battery draining issues explained

iPad battery draining issues can be categorized into different types, including sudden battery drainage, battery draining fast while charging, or fast battery drain after a software update.

In each case, it’s essential to identify the specific cause of the problem and take the necessary steps to tackle it. Implementing battery-saving techniques and making adjustments to your iPad’s settings can significantly help in preventing these issues.

iPad battery suddenly draining fast (even when you’re not using it)

If your iPad battery is suddenly draining fast, even when the device is idle, there might be background processes (or apps) consuming excess power – this is the most common culprit.

One solution is to disable Background App Refresh for applications that are not essential. To do this, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh, and toggle off the switch for specific apps.

You should also close all unused browser tabs and review notification settings for each app under Settings > Notifications. Turning off unnecessary notifications can save battery life and prevent overnight drainage.

You might want to restart the iPad back to factory settings and update back to the latest version as a last resort. You can backup to iCloud beforehand if needed.

Also see: 7 Ways to Find lost Airpods when Battery is Dead & Off (All models)

iPad battery draining fast while charging

If your iPad battery is draining fast while charging, there may be a hardware issue with the charging port, cable, or charger. First, inspect the charging components for any damage and use an Apple-certified charger to ensure optimal charge performance.

You can also try charging the iPad in Low Power Mode, conserving battery life by reducing the device’s performance and power consumption. To enable this setting, go to Settings > Battery, and tap the switch next to Low Power Mode.

iPad battery draining fast after update

After updating your iPad software, you may experience increased battery drainage due to new features and functionalities.

In this case, you should first check for any pending app updates since developers frequently update their apps to be compatible with the latest iPadOS versions.

To do this, go to the App Store and tap on your account icon to access the available updates. You might also consider resetting all settings, which can resolve conflicts arising from the update. To perform the reset, navigate to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. Remember to back up your data before proceeding with a reset.

How to fix an iPad battery that is draining quickly

Let’s dive into how to fix an iPad battery that keeps draining super low and you can’t figure out why.

Optimized Battery Charging Feature

One effective solution to extend the life of your iPad battery is to enable the Optimized Battery Charging feature. This tool, available under the Battery Health settings, learns your charging habits and limits the charge to 80% until you need it, reducing battery aging over time.

To activate this feature, go to “Settings,” “Battery,” “Battery Health,” and toggle on the “Optimized Battery Charging” option. By implementing this feature, you not only protect your battery’s lifespan but ultimately save energy and reduce overnight charging.

Utilizing Low Data Mode

Another method to conserve your iPad’s battery life is to enable Low Data Mode. This feature restricts background activities and updates that consume data and power, helping you to minimize battery usage. To activate Low Data Mode, navigate to “Settings” and find the “Mobile data” option.

From there, toggle on Low Data Mode. Remember that this setting will not only save battery life but also limit your cellular data usage, which can be especially helpful if you’re on a limited data plan.

Activating Low Power Mode

The Low Power Mode feature can also help conserve your iPad’s battery life. When enabled, it automatically reduces or disables certain device processes and features not being used, making it ideal for the night time or when your iPad is not in active use.

To turn on Low Power Mode, you can access it through the “Settings” menu or via the “Control Center” under the “Battery” or “Customize Controls” option.

Managing Bluetooth Connections

Ensuring that your Bluetooth connections are properly managed can have a significant impact on your iPad’s battery life.

When not in use, make sure to turn off Bluetooth, as it can consume power even when your device is idle.

This can be especially important during the night or when you’re not using your device for extended periods. To switch off Bluetooth, go to the Settings menu or Control Center and toggle it off.

Also see: IPad Vs Laptop Pros And Cons

Background App Refresh Control

Background App Refresh allows apps to update and refresh their content even when you’re not actively using them, contributing to battery drainage. By managing your Background App Refresh settings effectively, you can prevent unnecessary battery consumption. To adjust these settings, go to “Settings,” “General,” and select “Background App Refresh.”

From there, turn off the feature entirely or disable it for individual apps that consume a significant amount of power.

Closing Browser Tabs

Before going to bed or leaving your iPad unattended for a while, make a habit of closing all open browser tabs (Safari or Chrome). This simple action prevents background processes and updates from draining your battery and contributing to battery degradation over time.

Implementing Airplane Mode

Airplane Mode can help conserve battery life by disabling multiple wireless features on your iPad, such as cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. This mode can be particularly helpful when you go to sleep or when you don’t need internet connectivity.

Make sure to toggle on Airplane Mode in the Settings menu or the Control Center when your device is idle.

Managing Wi-Fi and Cellular Data

Turning off Wi-Fi and cellular data when your iPad is not in use can also prevent rapid overnight battery drainage. To manage these connections, access them through the Settings menu or the Control Center and turn them off when not needed.

Customizing Notifications

Unnecessary notifications can contribute to battery drain, so it’s essential to manage them appropriately. To adjust notification settings, go to the “Settings” menu and select “Notifications.” From there, turn off notifications for apps that are not crucial or adjust settings according to your preferences.

Location Services Optimization

Location Services can consume a significant amount of power. To preserve your iPad’s battery life, make sure to optimize these settings so that unnecessary location data isn’t being accessed. Navigate to “Settings,” “Privacy,” and “Location Services” to manage which apps have access to your location information.

Troubleshooting Battery Drain and Updates

If your iPad battery continues to drain when not in use, an update to your device’s software may be necessary.

Make sure your iPad is updated to the latest firmware, and don’t forget to turn on automatic updates to receive regular software enhancements that can help prolong your battery life.

Charging Practices and Preventing Battery Damage

Proper charging practices can help preserve the efficiency of your iPad’s battery. Apple recommends charging your device up to 80% for optimal efficiency, and leaving it plugged in overnight will not cause damage. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your iPad maintains a healthy battery life.

Which iPad seems to drain the quickest

The iPad mini tends to have a quicker battery drain when compared to other iPad models. The primary reason for this can be attributed to its smaller size and capacity battery. See our post on How to Fix your iPad Mini battery Draining so Quickly.

Since the iPad mini has a more compact form factor, it has to accommodate a smaller battery to fit into its limited space. This results in a lower battery capacity compared to its larger counterparts like the iPad Air or iPad Pro.

While the reduced battery size contributes to a lighter and more portable device, it also means that the battery gets depleted faster due to the limited energy storage. Another contributing factor could be that the hardware components in the iPad mini might be optimized more towards performance and size rather than energy efficiency, leading to a faster battery drain.

related: How to use the Flashlight on iPad

How to use Battery Health settings

The check Battery Health setting on your iPad is essential to monitor the performance and overall health of your battery.

It allows you to see the maximum capacity of the battery and whether it operates at peak performance. To access the Battery Health setting:

1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Battery.”
3. Tap on “Battery Health.”

Here, you can view the maximum capacity of your iPad’s battery, indicating the battery’s potential charge compared to when it was new. A lower percentage represents the aging of the battery and reduced available charge. This section also provides information on whether your iPad runs at peak performance, or if the software throttles it due to issues related to the battery.

Related: Where is the calculator app on iPad?

Why is my iPad battery draining fast after iOS 16 update?

After updating to iOS 16, many users have reported quicker battery drain on their iPads. The increased battery drain could be due to new features or system optimizations that require more power. Furthermore, the update process itself can often be resource-intensive and may temporarily cause battery drainage.

Is charging the iPad battery overnight bad for the battery?

Contrary to popular belief, charging the iPad battery overnight does not significantly harm the battery. Modern lithium-ion batteries found in iPads have protective features that prevent overcharging.

Once the battery reaches its maximum capacity, the charging process automatically stops, and the power is only used to maintain the charge level.

Ideally, keeping your iPad charged between 20% and 80% is considered healthy, but occasional overnight charging should not cause notable damage.

Does auto brightness drain your iPads battery?

Auto brightness is a feature designed to adjust screen brightness settings to suit the ambient light and potentially save battery life.

The iPad uses sensors to detect the surrounding light, and the device automatically modifies the brightness to an appropriate level. In bright environments, auto brightness increases the screen’s backlight intensity, while it reduces brightness in darker surroundings.

Contrary to popular belief, using auto brightness can actually help conserve the iPad’s battery life in the long run.

This is especially true when you utilize your device in environments with varying lighting situations, reducing the need for manually adjusting brightness settings and ensuring that the screen does not remain brighter than necessary.

How long should the iPad battery last?

On average, an iPad battery should provide up to 10 hours of usage per charge, making it suitable for daily use in various settings. This battery life is dependent on several factors such as display brightness, application usage, and power management settings.

Besides usage per charge, the iPad battery is designed to last for approximately 1000 charge cycles, which is equivalent to 3 years of regular usage for most users.

Also see: E-ink Tablet vs iPad as the e-ink tablet battery lasts significantly longer due to e-paper technology compared to a lithium battery the iPad has.

During this time, the battery’s efficiency may decline gradually, eventually necessitating a replacement. Keep in mind that proper charging habits and maintaining optimized settings can help extend the battery’s lifespan even beyond the typical usage period.

Often video consumption will drain the battery.

Related: 14 Best Tablets for Watching Youtube & Videos

When to Seek Professional Help

Sometimes, even after trying numerous troubleshooting tips, the iPad battery may still drain rapidly. In such cases, it is advisable to seek professional help to assess whether the battery requires replacement or if there’s an underlying hardware issue causing the problem.

Apple Support and Warranty

Before trying to fix your iPad battery issues yourself, first check if your iPad is still covered under Apple’s warranty or the AppleCare+ protection plan. If it is, contact Apple Support to inquire about their battery replacement service.

They may be able to diagnose the issue remotely and offer an appropriate solution. If necessary, they can facilitate battery replacement or other hardware repairs. One advantage of using Apple’s battery service is that it guarantees professional and safe handling of your device.

Related: How to Cancel AppleCare+ (Get a Refund)

Replacing the Battery

When your iPad is no longer under warranty or AppleCare+, you can still get the battery replaced by a trusted technician or repair shop. There are many third-party repair centers that specialize in Apple devices and can help you replace your iPad battery as efficiently and safely as possible. Make sure to do your research and choose a reputable service, as improper handling of the iPad can lead to further complications.

How to make your iPad battery last longer while you use it

When using an iPad Air, iPad Pro, or iPad Mini, it is important to optimize the device’s settings to ensure the battery lasts longer, especially when streaming videos or playing online games. Five key steps can be taken to preserve battery life on an iPad.

Manage location services

Consider managing location services to make the battery last longer. Access the settings, scroll down to “Privacy,” and tap “Location Services.” Proceed to tap on “System Services.” Disable location access for applications that don’t require location information, or deactivate location services entirely for optimal battery preservation.

Some of these we had mentioned earlier, but lets dive in.

Adjust the notifications settings.

Try adjusting the notifications settings. Head to “Settings,” scroll down, and tap on “Notifications.” Determine which applications don’t require notifications and disable them individually. Restricting unnecessary notifications requires less power from the battery.

Regulate background app refresh settings

You can regulate background app refresh settings. In “Settings”, click on “General,” then select “Background App Refresh.” Reevaluate which applications need to run continuously in the background and disable those that are not essential. Limiting background app refresh can save battery life.

Use the “Dark Mode” feature on the iPad

Consider using the “Dark Mode” feature on the iPad. For users partial to bright themes, switching to dark mode can improve battery life. Navigate to “Settings,” scroll down to “Display & Brightness,” and then select “Dark.” This modification reduces battery consumption for better longevity.

Lastly, if the aforementioned steps have not improved battery life to the desired extent, enable “Low Power Mode.” Locate “Settings,” scroll down to “Battery,” and then activate the “Low Power Mode” option. This setting helps the battery last significantly longer than usual.

Importance of Regularly Monitoring iPad Battery Health

To prevent battery-related issues, it’s crucial to regularly monitor your iPad’s battery health. This can be done through the iPad’s settings. Replace the battery if its maximum capacity falls below 80% or shows signs of hindering performance.

When to Consider Replacing Your iPad Battery

If your iPad battery continues to drain fast despite troubleshooting, consider battery replacement in the following scenarios:

1. Your battery health drops below 80% of maximum capacity
2. Battery swelling or deformities are visible
3. The device shuts down unexpectedly despite having sufficient battery life

Top Apps and Features That Cause Battery Drain on iPads

Some apps and features are known to consume more battery than others. Social media apps, games with high-quality graphics, video streaming apps, and constant use of GPS/location-based services are common battery-draining culprits.

Related: How Long do Tablets Last (iPad, Android, Samsung)

The Impact of iPadOS Updates on Battery Life

Apple regularly releases iPadOS updates to fix bugs and enhance overall user experience. However, sometimes new updates can introduce issues that cause battery draining. In such scenarios, it is essential to monitor battery performance after an update and follow suitable troubleshooting steps.