Best Tablet Is Slow On iPad: Genius Fixes
If your iPad feels sluggish, don’t worry! There are simple, “genius” fixes to boost its speed. We’ll explore clearing storage, updating software, managing apps, and more. Get your best tablet running smoothly again with our easy-to-follow guide.
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Hey there, tablet enthusiasts! Walter Moore here from Tabletzoo. It’s super frustrating when your trusty iPad, the one you rely on for everything from checking emails to streaming your favorite shows, starts to feel… well, slow. You tap an app, and it takes ages to open. Scrolling through websites feels like wading through treacle. It’s enough to make anyone sigh and wonder if they need a brand-new device. But before you start browsing the latest models, let’s explore some proven “genius fixes” that can breathe new life into your current iPad. We’ll walk through straightforward steps to speed things up, making your tablet feel great again.
Why Is My iPad Suddenly Slow?
It’s a common question, and the reasons can be many, but they’re usually quite straightforward. Over time, our devices collect digital clutter, much like our desks do in the real world. Apps can hog resources, old files can pile up, and even background processes can slow things down. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of outdated software not playing nicely with newer applications or features. Don’t feel discouraged; this is a normal part of owning any electronic device that gets a lot of use. The good news is that most of these performance hiccups are easily remedied with a few simple tweaks.
Genius Fix #1: The Restart Power-Up
This sounds almost too simple, right? But the humble restart is often the most effective first step for troubleshooting any electronic device, including your iPad. When you restart your iPad, it clears out temporary memory (RAM) and closes any rogue background processes that might be silently draining power and slowing things down. Think of it as giving your iPad a quick power nap to reset and refresh.
How to Restart Your iPad:
- For iPads with a Home button: Press and hold the top button (or side button, depending on your model) until the slide to power off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait for your iPad to turn off completely. To turn it back on, press and hold the top (or side) button again until you see the Apple logo.
- For iPads without a Home button: Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Then, press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
Try this first. You might be surprised how much snappier your iPad feels afterward!
Genius Fix #2: Declutter Your Digital Space (Storage Management)
Just like a crowded room makes it hard to move around, a full iPad can struggle to perform its best. When your storage is nearly maxed out, the operating system has less space to work with for temporary files, app data, and essential processes. This can lead to significant slowdowns.
What’s Taking Up Space?
Your iPad’s storage can fill up with photos, videos, apps you no longer use, large downloaded files, and cached data from apps. Let’s tackle these:
a. Free Up Space from Photos and Videos
Photos and videos are often the biggest culprits. If you don’t have iCloud Photos enabled and optimized, your entire library could be stored on your device.
- Check your storage: Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage. You’ll see a breakdown of what’s using up your space.
- Transfer to a computer or cloud service: Regularly offload your photos and videos to a computer using a USB cable or use cloud services like Google Photos, Dropbox, or, of course, iCloud Photos (set to “Optimize iPad Storage”).
- Delete duplicates and blurry shots: Be ruthless! Go through your Camera Roll and delete photos and videos you don’t need.
- Review “Recently Deleted”: Remember that when you delete photos, they go to “Recently Deleted” for 30 days. You need to clear this album too for the space to be truly freed up. Go to Photos > Albums > Recently Deleted, then tap “Select” and “Delete All”.
b. Uninstall Unused Apps
Apps can take up a surprising amount of storage, especially games and media apps. If you haven’t opened an app in months, chances are you don’t need it.
- How to uninstall: Tap and hold an app icon on your Home Screen until a menu appears. Tap “Remove App,” then tap “Delete App.”
- Use the “Offload App” feature: In Settings > General > iPad Storage, you can select apps and choose “Offload App.” This removes the app but keeps its data. If you reinstall the app later, your data will be there. This is great for apps you use infrequently but don’t want to lose the settings for.
c. Clean App Data and Caches
Some apps store a lot of temporary data (cache) that, over time, can become quite large and slow things down. Unfortunately, iOS doesn’t have a universal “clear all cache” button like some other operating systems.
- Check individual app settings: Some apps, like browsers (Safari, Chrome), let you clear cache and cookies within their own settings. For example, in Safari, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
- Reinstall apps: The most effective way to clear an app’s accumulated cache and temporary data is often to delete the app and then reinstall it from the App Store. Remember to back up any important data within the app first if possible.
d. Manage Downloads
Check your ‘Downloads’ folder (often accessible through the Files app) for any large files you might have forgotten about.
Genius Fix #3: Keep Your Software Up-to-Date
Software updates from Apple don’t just bring new features; they are crucial for performance and security. Updates often include optimizations that can make your iPad run faster and smoother, along with bug fixes that might be causing slowdowns.
How to Update Your iPad:
- Connect to Wi-Fi: Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
- Plug in if low on battery: It’s a good practice to have your iPad plugged in during updates to avoid interruptions.
- Go to Settings: Tap Settings > General > Software Update.
- Download and Install: If an update is available, tap “Download and Install.” You might need to enter your passcode.
Tip: You can set your iPad to automatically download updates. In the Software Update screen, tap “Automatic Updates” and toggle on “Download iOS Updates” and “Install iOS Updates” (requires Wi-Fi and being plugged in for installation).
Genius Fix #4: Manage Background App Refresh
Background App Refresh allows apps to download new content and update even when you’re not actively using them. While convenient, it can consume battery life and processing power, leading to slowdowns. It’s especially useful to review this list for apps that you don’t need to be constantly refreshing in the background.
How to Manage Background App Refresh:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- You’ll see a list of apps that have permission to refresh in the background.
- You can toggle off Background App Refresh entirely (which saves battery but means apps won’t update content until opened).
- Alternatively, you can selectively turn it off for individual apps you don’t need constantly updating (e.g., social media apps that you rarely check, or games).
Genius Fix #5: Limit Motion and Transparency
iPads have beautiful visual effects, like parallax scrolling and fluid animations. While they make the user experience engaging, they do require processing power. On older iPads, or if these effects are causing lag, turning them down can make a noticeable difference.
How to Reduce Visual Effects:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion.
- Turn on “Reduce Motion.” This will turn off parallax effects for icons and the Home Screen, and disable other screen effects like full-screen animations.
- While you’re here, you can also go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle on “Reduce Transparency.” This can help with performance on some displays and also makes text easier to read.
Genius Fix #6: Close Unused Safari Tabs
If you’re a heavy web browser, you might find yourself with dozens of Safari tabs open at once. Each tab consumes memory, and too many can significantly bog down your iPad’s performance.
How to Close Safari Tabs:
- Manually: Open Safari, tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares) in the bottom right corner, then swipe left on each tab you want to close.
- Close all tabs at once: Tap and hold the tabs icon, then select “Close All [Number] Tabs.”
- Set automatic closing: For a more hands-off approach, go to Settings > Safari > Close Tabs. You can choose to automatically close tabs after one day, one week, one month, or manually. This ensures your tabs don’t accumulate indefinitely.
Genius Fix #7: Reset All Settings (Use with Caution)
This is more of an advanced step and should be used if other simpler fixes haven’t resolved your speed issues. Resetting all settings returns your iPad’s settings to their defaults without deleting your data (apps, photos, music, etc.). This can fix underlying configuration issues that might be causing performance problems.
How to Reset All Settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad.
- Tap “Reset.”
- Tap “Reset All Settings.”
- You will need to enter your passcode.
Important: This will reset your Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, wallpaper, etc. so you’ll need to set those up again. It does NOT delete your apps or personal files.
Genius Fix #8: Check for Problematic Apps
Sometimes, a single app can be the culprit behind your iPad’s slowdown. A poorly coded app, an app stuck in a loop, or an app with a severe bug can hog resources and impact overall performance.
How to Identify and Deal with Problematic Apps:
- Monitor if slowdowns occur with specific apps: Does your iPad only lag when using a particular app? If so, try uninstalling and reinstalling that app.
- Check for app updates: Ensure all your apps are updated to their latest versions, as developers often release patches for performance issues. Check the App Store for available updates.
- Restart the app: Force quit the troublesome app and reopen it. To force quit, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle of the screen to see your open apps. Swipe up on the app you want to close.
Genius Fix #9: Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If none of the above steps work, a factory reset (restoring your iPad to its original factory settings) can sometimes resolve deep-seated issues. However, this deletes all data on your iPad, so it’s crucial to back up everything important beforehand. It’s essentially a fresh start for your device.
How to Factory Reset Your iPad:
- Back up your iPad: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, and tap “Back Up Now.” Alternatively, connect to a computer and back up using Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on PC).
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad.
- Tap “Erase All Content and Settings.”
- Enter your passcode and Apple ID password for Activation Lock.
- Follow the on-screen prompts. Once reset, you can restore your backup or set up your iPad as new.
It’s best to try all other solutions before resorting to a factory reset.
When to Consider an Upgrade
While these fixes are incredibly effective, it’s also worth noting that if you have a very old iPad model, it might simply be struggling to keep up with the demands of modern apps and iOS versions. Apple supports its devices for many years, but there’s a point where hardware limitations become apparent. Upgrading to a newer model with a more powerful processor and more RAM can offer a significant performance boost. Resources like Apple’s official iPad comparison page can help you see the advancements. If your iPad is significantly outdated (e.g., more than 5-7 years old) and you’ve tried all these tips without success, it might be time to explore newer options.
Performance Comparison Table: Old vs. New iPad (General Idea)
To illustrate how newer iPads generally perform better, here’s a simplified comparison. Note that specific model specs will vary greatly.
Feature | Older iPad (e.g., iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 4) | Modern iPad (e.g., iPad Air 5th Gen, iPad Pro) |
---|---|---|
Processor Speed | Slower (older architecture, fewer cores) | Much Faster (latest A-series or M-series chips) |
RAM | Limited (e.g., 2GB) | More (e.g., 8GB, 16GB) |
App Loading Times | Noticeably longer | Near-instant |
Multitasking Performance | Can struggle with Split View/Slide Over | Smooth and efficient |
Graphics/Gaming | Basic, may lag on demanding games | High-fidelity graphics, smooth gameplay |
Support for Latest iOS Features | Limited or no support | Full support for latest features |
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow iPads
Q1: My iPad is still slow after trying these fixes. What else could it be?
A: If you’ve gone through all the steps and your iPad is still sluggish, especially if it’s an older model, it might be a hardware limitation. However, sometimes background processes or a specific third-party app might behave unexpectedly. Connecting to a reliable Wi-Fi network is also important for many app functions and updates.
Q2: How often should I restart my iPad?
A: For optimal performance, restarting your iPad at least once a week is a good practice. It helps clear out temporary files and processes that can accumulate over time and slow things down.
Q3: Is it safe to delete app data to free up space?
A: Yes, it’s generally safe, provided you back up any important information first. Deleting app data and reinstalling apps is a common way to clear cached files and resolve app-specific performance issues. Just ensure you know how to recover your data if needed.
Q4: Will updating my iPad to the latest iOS slow it down?
A: Generally, no. Apple’s updates are designed to improve performance and optimize the user experience. While very old devices might sometimes struggle with the very latest OS versions due to hardware limitations, for most cases, updating is beneficial for speed and security.
Q5: Should I turn off all Background App Refresh?
A: It depends on your usage. If battery life is your top priority and you don’t need apps to update content in the background, turning off Background App Refresh entirely is a good idea. However, for apps you rely on for real-time updates (like news, email, or messaging), keeping it enabled selectively for those apps is recommended.
Q6: How do I know if my iPad storage is full?
A: You’ll typically notice slow performance, apps taking a long time to load, or you might receive on-screen notifications from iOS indicating low storage. You can also check the exact usage by going to Settings > General > iPad Storage, which provides a detailed breakdown.
Q7: Is it worth it to buy a new iPad if mine is slow?
A: If your current iPad is several years old (think 5+ years) and despite all optimization efforts, it remains frustratingly slow, then yes, investing in a newer model can be a worthwhile upgrade. Newer iPads offer significantly better performance, longer software support, and access to the latest features that your old device simply can’t handle.
Conclusion
Experiencing a slow iPad can be disheartening, but it’s usually a curable condition. By systematically working through these “genius fixes” – from the simple restart to smart storage management and software updates – you can often restore your iPad’s speed and responsiveness. Remember, technology requires a little bit of care and attention. Don’t feel overwhelmed; take it one step at a time. You’ve got this!

Your tech guru in Sand City, CA, bringing you the latest insights and tips exclusively on mobile tablets. Dive into the world of sleek devices and stay ahead in the tablet game with my expert guidance. Your go-to source for all things tablet-related – let’s elevate your tech experience!