Why Does My iPad Battery Drain So Fast? 10 Troubleshooting Tips

Updated: November 2024

The iPad’s premium all-day battery is one of its selling points, but sometimes, it doesn’t live up to expectations. If you’re wondering why your iPad battery drains so fast, you’re not alone! 

While the problem is unlikely to be your iPad case, there could be other issues. The good news is it is likely an issue with your software and settings rather than an actual hardware problem that needs an AppleCare repair. 

Reasons Your iPad Battery Might Drain Quickly

Here are some common reasons your iPad battery might be draining quickly:

• Your iPad needs a reset.
• You’re using your iPad more than usual, and your apps of choice are high-energy-consumption.
• Your iPad is re-indexing after an update, draining the battery as it works hard in the background.
• You’re letting your iPad get too hot or too cold.
• Weak Wi-Fi and poor cellular reception are causing your iPad to waste battery searching for a signal.
• High camera usage is taking a toll on your battery.
• Push notifications aren’t giving your tablet a break. 

As you can see, there’s more than one possible culprit — and many of these reasons come and go. iPad OS does include a handy diagnostic tool you can use to find out exactly what is going wrong with your battery. Here, we’ll show you how to take advantage of that tool for full-scale troubleshooting. 

Related Reading: How NOT to Break Your New iPad

Troubleshooting Your iPad Battery’s Power Drain

If your iPad is brand new, you’ve just updated the PadOs, or you’ve done a big data dump, you should expect your battery drain to be higher than usual. This is normal, and there’s nothing to do about it but wait. It takes a little while to get the kinks out of the system, and when your iPad is working hard to get everything in order, it’s going to need the power to do so. 

But maybe two or three days have passed, and you’re still frustrated with the rate at which your iPad battery goes down. The first place to go is your iPad’s diagnostic center.  Here’s how to do it:

1. Launch Settings from your home screen
2. Click on Battery, then wait for the Battery Usage screen
3. Tap Show Detailed Usage, then scan the resulting details.

You can check your battery usage for the last seven days, and it’ll be broken down by app, as well as by active time and background time. Now you know which apps are battery hogs and which are team players. If there’s an app you use a lot that has taken a good portion of your battery use, you’ll know to cut down on usage of that particular app when you’re not near an outlet.

For instance, if you’ve been doing major photography, you can expect the camera to take up a big chunk of your battery. The Apple Pencil isn’t lightweight work either, so if you’ve been into sketching, you should expect to need to charge your iPad more than usual. 

Sometimes apps “misbehave” and take more than their share of battery even when you’re not using them. If you see Messenger has been using 3% of your battery when active, for instance, but a good 60% in the background, you’ve found the reason for your battery drain. Force quit the app, shutting it off from background action. If the problem continues, uninstall the app, then reinstall a clean version. 

1. Background App Activity

One of the primary reasons for rapid battery drain is apps running in the background. iPads, by default, allow apps to refresh their content even when you're not actively using them. While this can be convenient for real-time updates, it also consumes power.

Solution:

• Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and disable this feature for apps that don’t need to run in the background constantly.

2. Location Services

Some apps continuously access your location, draining your battery without you realizing it. GPS tracking is a power-hungry feature, especially for apps that update your location frequently.

Solution:

• Check which apps are using location services by going to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Disable location access for apps that don’t require it all the time.

3. Screen Brightness and Auto-Lock Settings

A bright display is one of the biggest contributors to battery drain. If your screen brightness is set too high or your iPad doesn’t auto-lock quickly, the battery will be consumed more rapidly.

Solution:

• Lower the screen brightness by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen and adjusting the brightness slider.
• Enable Auto-Lock by going to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and selecting a shorter time interval, such as 2 minutes.

4. Push Notifications

Frequent app notifications and alerts can also affect your battery life. If every app is pushing notifications, your iPad is constantly lighting up the screen and using power.

Solution:

• Review your notifications by going to Settings > Notifications. Disable or limit notifications for apps that aren’t essential.

5. Software Updates and Bugs

Sometimes, software glitches or bugs can cause battery drain. Outdated apps or system software can also consume more power than necessary. Apple regularly releases updates to fix these issues, so it’s crucial to keep your device up to date.

Solution:

• Ensure your iPad is running the latest version of iOS by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
• Also, keep your apps updated by visiting the App Store and checking for updates.

6. Widgets and Live Wallpapers

Widgets on your home screen and live wallpapers can look great but consume significant power. Live wallpapers, in particular, are constantly animating, while some widgets may refresh frequently.

Solution:

• Opt for a static wallpaper by going to Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper.
• Limit the number of widgets on your home screen and remove those you don’t use regularly.

7. Battery Health and Age

Over time, all batteries degrade, including the one in your iPad. If your device is older, the battery may not hold a charge as well as it used to. Apple offers a battery health feature on iPhones but not directly on iPads. However, if your iPad is several years old, the battery may simply be nearing the end of its lifespan.

Solution:

• If your iPad is charging slowly and none of the above solutions work, it may be time to consider a battery replacement. You can contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for assistance.

8. Poor Wi-Fi or Cellular Connection

When your iPad struggles to maintain a strong Wi-Fi or cellular connection, it uses more power to stay connected. This can be especially draining if you're in an area with weak signals.

Solution:

• Turn off Wi-Fi or cellular data when you're not using them by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen and tapping the relevant icons.
• If possible, stay connected to stronger networks or use Airplane Mode in low-signal areas to conserve battery.

9. Too Many Open Apps

Keeping too many apps open at once can tax your iPad’s resources and lead to quicker battery depletion. Even though iOS is designed to manage apps efficiently, having too many active applications can still cause an issue.

Solution:

• Double-click the home button or swipe up from the bottom (depending on your model) to view open apps. Swipe up to close the ones you're not actively using.

10. High Processor Usage

Certain apps or processes that require a lot of computing power can cause your iPad's processor to work harder, which in turn consumes more battery. For instance, apps that handle intensive tasks like video editing, gaming, or running complex calculations can significantly impact battery life.

Solution:

• Check for apps that might be using excessive processor power by going to Settings > Battery and looking at the battery usage by app. If you notice any app consuming an unusually high amount of battery, consider closing it or finding a more efficient alternative. Closing unused apps can also help reduce processor load and save battery.

Related Reading: Best Battery Saver Apps for iPhone and iPad

Your Battery Your Way

Using your iPad will involve using up the battery; there’s no two ways about it. But you should never have to deal with unreasonable battery drain surprising you just when you need power. 

The ZUGU iPad case's sleep/wake function is a smart way to help extend your iPad’s battery life. When you close the case, the built-in magnets automatically put your iPad into sleep mode, conserving the battery by turning off the screen and pausing background activities. Opening the case wakes the device instantly, allowing you to resume use without manually adjusting settings. This seamless integration ensures your iPad isn’t using unnecessary power while idle, helping you get the most out of each charge.

Ready to maximize your iPad’s battery life? Follow these tips to troubleshoot and optimize your device for longer-lasting power. Consider upgrading to a ZUGU iPad case with a sleep/wake function for even more protection and convenience. Shop now and keep your iPad running smoothly throughout the day!