- An iPad running slow can be indicative of many things, but most issues that cause lagging can be easily fixed
- The most common cause of a slow running iPad is a misbehaving app
- If you’re wondering how to fix a slow iPad, you can try one of the fixes discussed in this guide
It’s no secret that the iPad is a powerful device. You can access an almost endless amount of information with just a few taps and swipes. But what happens when your iPad starts running slow?
Why is my iPad slow? This question plagues many iPad users, especially ones using an older model. If you’re one of these users, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll be listing 11 easy ways to speed up your iPad. From deleting unused apps to disabling animations, these fixes should help you get the most out of your device. Whether your iPad is lagging or freezing up, these tips will help get it back to its former glory.
So, let’s get started.
Restart Your iPad
Restarting your iPad is the quickest and easiest way to fix any performance issues. Sometimes your iPad can get caught up in excessive usage, and restarting it can serve as a power nap.
To restart your iPad, follow these steps:
- Hold down the Sleep/Wake button until the slider appears
- Drag the slider to turn off your device
- Once it’s turned off, hold down the Sleep/Wake button again
- Keep holding the button until the Apple logo appears
If your iPad is acting up due to a minor issue, it will start running smoothly after restarting.
Turn Off Background App Refresh
Another way to speed up your iPad is to turn off Background App Refresh. This feature refreshes apps in the background, slowing down your device.
To turn Background App Refresh off, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and disable the feature.
Disable Animations
In your iPad, numerous animations are running to make your screen’s movement quality top-notch. These animations make the overall experience incredible, but they aren’t crucial for your iPad’s performance. In fact, more often than not, these animations are responsible for slowing down your device. The good thing is you can disable animations to improve your device’s speed.
To disable animation on the iPad, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app
- Go to General
- Tap Accessibility and turn on the Reduce Motion option
You can also turn on Reduce Transparency and turn off Increase Contrast options if you want.
Clear Browser History and Cache
Clearing your browser history and cache can also help speed up your iPad.
To clear your browser history, go to Settings > Safari and tap Clear History and Website Data.
On the other hand, go to Settings > Safari > Advanced and tap Clear Cache to clear the iPad cache.
Delete Unused Apps
We tend to hoard a lot of apps on our devices, but all of them aren’t used on a daily basis. As a result, they keep occupying space on the iPhone or iPad, making them slow. Moreover, unused apps can use up memory and battery life, slowing your device.
To speed up your iPad, you can delete unused apps. To delete an app, press and hold its icon until it starts shaking. Tap the x in the corner of the app to delete it.
Update Your Apps
Keeping your apps up-to-date can also help speed up your iPad. Out-of-date apps can be a significant drain on your device’s resources.
To update your apps, go to the App Store and tap Updates. If an app has updates available, you can tap on Update now, and it will install the latest version.
Backup Photos to iCloud
Backing up your photos to iCloud can also help speed up your iPad. When you backup your photos, they are stored in the cloud and are accessible from any device.
To back up your photos on iCloud, go to Settings > Photos and select iCloud Photo Library. The backup process takes a while, depending on the number of photos available on your device.
Free Up Disk Space
Over time, your device can fill up with unnecessary files and data. These unwanted files can pile up and cause your iPad to slow down or lag. In order to speed up your iPad, you can free up disk space by managing storage.
To free up disk space, please follow these steps:
- Go to Settings
- Tap General and go to Storage & iCloud Usage
- Click on Manage Storage
Here are a few tips to free up storage space on your device.
Update Your iPadOS
Keeping your iPadOS up-to-date also helps speed up your iPad. Each new update includes performance improvements and bug fixes to help your device run more smoothly.
To update your iPadOS, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Reset Your iPad
If you’ve tried all the tips mentioned above and your iPad is still running slow, you may need to reset your device. A reset will wipe all your data and settings, so be sure to back up your device first. Moreover, remember your Apple ID and password to retrieve your iPad data after resetting.
To reset your iPad, go to Settings > General > Reset and select Erase All Content and Settings.
Replace Your iPad
If your iPad is over a few years old, it may be time to replace it. Older iPads can’t always keep up with the newest apps and updates. If your iPad is starting to feel sluggish, it may be time for an upgrade.
However, you don’t have to buy a brand-new iPad; you can always look for used iPads for sale. Many online retailers, like Phone Daddy, sell refurbished and used iPhones and iPads at reasonable prices. So, make sure you look at their deals.
Conclusion
This guide has shared some easy tips for fixing an iPad running slow. If your iPad is lagging, freezing, or running slow, you can try these tips. One of these tips will help speed up your device, and you can make it run smoothly once again. However, if you’ve tried everything but your iPad performance doesn’t improve, it may be time for a replacement or an upgrade.
If you want to buy used iPads, browse Phone Daddy’s tablet and iPad collection to find the right device for you.
