As an iPad owner, one problem you could encounter from time to time is slow charging. An iPad charging slowly can be a frustrating experience that can hamper your workflow and limit its mobility.
So, if you’re facing this problem with your iPad, here are some potential fixes to help you charge it again at optimal speed.
What to do if your iPad is charging slowly
Try these troubleshooting steps to figure out why your iPad seems to be taking forever to charge and speed up the process:
Restart your iPad
The first thing to do when your iPad charges very slowly is to restart it. The software on your iPad may have crashed, which could potentially bog down the charging process.
To restart your iPad, press and hold the power button until "slide to power off" appears on the screen. If your iPad doesn’t have a Home button, press and hold the Top button and either volume button until "slide to power off" appears. Use one finger to swipe the red and white power icon from left to right across the screen.
Wait a 30–60 seconds, then press and hold and power button (iPads with a Home button) or Top button (iPads without a Home button) again to turn your iPad on again. You can release the power button or Top button14 as soon as the Apple logo appears on the display.
Update your iPad
If your iPad is still charging slower than usual, an outdated version of iPadOS might be the culprit. Apple regularly releases software updates which include new features and bug fixes to resolve software glitches. These updates can improve battery health and any issues with charging speeds.
Open Settings and tap General > Software Update. Tap Update Now if a new iPadOS update is available.
Don’t use your iPad while charging
If you want your iPad to charge as quickly as possible, try to stay off of it as much as possible. If you’re streaming videos or playing games while charging your iPad, the battery will charge much slower, so just leave it alone if you can. Also, make sure you’re not downloading or updating apps or software while your iPad is charging.
Turn off your iPad while charging
Even if your screen is sleeping, your iPad is still working in the background. If you want your iPad to charge quickly, the best thing to do is to turn it off.
Note that plugging in an iPad that’s turned off will power it back on, so plug it in first, then power it down.
Turn on Airplane Mode while charging
If you don’t want to turn off your iPad but still want to help it charge faster, you can turn on airplane mode, which disables wireless transmission functions like Wi-Fi. If they’re off, your iPad can charge quicker. This way, you can also quickly turn airplane mode off to quickly check on any email you might be waiting on.
Try a different charging cable
The next step in diagnosing a slow-charging iPad is examining your charging cable. If your cable is not functioning as it should, it can significantly slow down charging. So, carefully inspect your cable for burns, scorches, frays, or other signs of physical damage.
If your cable is damaged, or if your iPad is charging slowly anyway, try using a different charging cable. If your iPad charges as it should, consider replacing your cable. Remember, it’s always best to use genuine charging cable to ensure maximum compatibility and safety.
Try A Different Charger
If your iPad is charging slowly regardless of what charging cable you use, try charging your iPad with a different charger. If your iPad charges faster with one charger, that charger may output higher amperage, or the original charger you were using may be damaged.
Apple says you can use “a higher-wattage USB-C power adapter—such as the one that came with your Mac laptop… with your iPad for faster charging.” That includes the Apple 29, 30, 35, 61, 67, 87, or 140W USB-C Power Adapter that comes with MacBooks or sold separately. You can also use a third-party USB-C charger above 20W for fast iPad charging like Anker’s compact 30W, 40W dual-port USB-C charger, or 65W 3-port charger.
You can also use higher-power chargers with older Lightning iPads, although they won’t charge quite as fast as modern USB-C iPads
Just like iPhone or Mac, your iPad determines how much power to draw from the power supply, so that’s why it’s safe to use power adapters that can offer much more power than an iPad will make use of.
Make sure the charging port is clean
It stands to reason that if you want your iPad to charge faster, the entry point for that charge has to be clear and clean. If it’s clogged up with lint and dust, then electricity is going to struggle to get through. Grab a flashlight (or use the one built into your iPhone) and take a close look inside your iPad’s charging port.
If you see dust, lint or other debris inside the port, grab an anti-static brush and unused toothbrush and gently wipe it out. Afterwards, try charging your iPad again. If it’s still charging slowly, move onto the next step!
Try a Different Power Outlet
Sometimes, the problem might not be with your iPad but the power outlet. Try connecting your charger to a different outlet to see if this improves charging speeds. You can also connect your charger directly to the outlet instead of a power strip or extension cord, as these may affect charging speeds if they don’t function properly.
Replace The Battery
If your iPad is still charging slowly after trying the fixes above, it’s likely the result of a hardware problem and you may have to have the battery replaced. If your iPad is covered by AppleCare+, visit your nearest Apple Store and see what they can do for you. An Apple tech may also run a battery test on your iPad to see if it’s in proper working order.
Improve Your iPad’s Charging Speeds
There are many reasons why your iPad is charging slower than normal, but hopefully, these fixes should get your iPad charging optimally.
However, if you’re still experiencing this issue, it can mean a problem with your iPad’s hardware. In such cases, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple-authorized service center to get it fixed.