iPad Battery Draining Fast? Best 11 Fixes

If your iPad battery is draining fast, you're not alone. Whether you're using your iPad for streaming, drawing, reading, or browsing, fast battery drain can be frustrating—especially when it happens unexpectedly like overnight, during use, or even while charging. In this detailed guide, we’ll explain why is my iPad battery draining so fast, how to check battery health, and exactly how to fix iPad battery drain while charging or during idle use.

Why Is My iPad Battery Draining So Fast?

Many iPad users search “why is my iPad battery draining so fast” and find dozens of reasons—but in 2025, the most common culprits include:

Background App Activity: Many apps continue running in the background, updating content and sending push notifications even when not in use.
High Screen Brightness: Your screen is one of the biggest battery consumers, especially if it’s set to high brightness all the time.
iPad battery draining fast after iOS 18/17 update: Due to background tasks or buggy system files.
Push Notifications: Frequent updates from messaging, social media, and email apps can wake your device and consume power.
Location Services: Constant GPS tracking eats up battery in the background.
Battery Age: Over time, lithium-ion batteries degrade and can no longer hold their original capacity. You may need iPad battery replacement.

Also read: iPad Not Charging? Here to Fix 2025

How to Check iPad Battery Usage and Health

To find out if the iPad battery draining quickly issue is software- or hardware-related, follow these steps:

Open Settings > Battery to view a detailed breakdown.
The chart shows which apps are using the most power.
Tap on “Last 24 Hours” or “Last 10 Days” for usage trends.
You’ll also see battery health if your iPad supports it. Look for signs like rapid decline or inconsistent percentages, which can suggest battery issues.

Top 11 Tips to Fix iPad Battery Draining Fast

Let’s explore practical steps on how to fix the most common issues causing your iPad battery to drain fast. Each tip is explained in detail and includes actionable instructions.

1. Use iPad Power Bank

To make life easier, many users turn to Veger iPad power banks for portable, safe, and fast charging. Veger offers lightweight, high-capacity solutions ideal for iPad users who are always on the go. Whether you’re a student, artist, or professional, Veger helps ensure your iPad never runs out of juice when you need it most.

2. Enable Low Power Mode

One of the fastest ways to reduce battery drain is by turning on Low Power Mode. This setting reduces background activity, disables visual effects, and limits mail fetch frequency. To enable it, go to Settings > Battery. Toggle Low Power Mode on.

3. Reduce Screen Brightness and Use Dark Mode

Screen brightness heavily affects battery consumption. To conserve power:

Lower brightness from the Control Center.
Or go to Settings > Display & Brightness.
Also, turn on Dark Mode, which is more power-efficient on newer iPads with OLED screens.

4. Turn Off Background App Refresh

Apps like Facebook, Mail, and news aggregators update content in the background, draining your battery silently. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Choose Off or select specific apps to disable.

5. Update to the Latest iPadOS

System bugs are a key reason why iPad battery draining quickly becomes a persistent issue. Apple frequently rolls out fixes. Check for updates in Settings > General > Software Update.

Updating can often resolve post-update issues like iPad battery draining fast after iOS 18/17 update.

6. Disable Unnecessary Notifications

Constant buzzing from social apps, news alerts, and emails can keep your device awake longer than necessary. Visit Settings > Notifications. Turn off alerts for non-essential apps. Less screen wake-up means less battery usage—especially useful if your iPad battery drains when not in use.

7. Limit Location Services

Location tracking is another silent battery killer. Apps often track your location even when not in use. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Select apps and set them to While Using or Never.

Limiting GPS activity helps prevent background battery drain—especially for navigation and social apps.

8. Enable Auto-Lock and Reduce Motion

If your iPad battery drains overnight, this method can drastically help. Here’s how to fix this:

Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.
Set it to 1 or 2 minutes.
Then visit Settings > Accessibility > Motion and enable Reduce Motion.

9. Turn Off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth When Not in Use

Leaving Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on constantly can cause your device to search for signals, which uses power even when you're not connected.

To fix this, disable both from the Control Center or Settings. Turn them back on only when needed.

10. Restart or Force Restart Your iPad

Sometimes, rogue processes or temporary glitches are the culprits behind a fast-draining battery. Restarting your device can reset system processes and stop power leaks.

iPad Pro with Face ID / iPad Air 4 & 5 / iPad mini 6:

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears.

iPad with Home Button (e.g., iPad 9th Gen, iPad 8th Gen):

Press and hold both the Top (or Side) button and the Home button at the same time.

Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

iPad with Touch ID on Top Button (e.g., iPad Air 4, iPad mini 6):
Use the Face ID model method above, as the Touch ID is embedded in the Top button.

11. Perform a Factory Reset as a Last Resort

If all else fails, a factory reset may be necessary. This wipes your iPad and restores it to factory settings—ideal if corrupted files or software bugs are causing issues. How to do it:

Back up your iPad via iCloud or iTunes.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings.

Additional Tips on How to Extend iPad Battery Life

In addition to the fixes above, there are daily habits you can build to maintain your iPad's battery health over time:

Avoid charging to 100% or draining to 0%. Instead, stay between 20%-80%.
Use Apple-certified chargers.
Avoid using the iPad while it's charging, especially during high-performance tasks.

How to Replace an Aging iPad Battery

Eventually, your battery may need a replacement. Here’s how to fix battery longevity issues that can’t be solved through settings or software.

Signs your iPad battery needs replacing:

It drains within hours, even after all fixes.
iPad Battery Health is below 80%.
Physical signs such as the screen lifting from the chassis or a bulging back cover indicate a swollen battery.

How to replace:

Book a Genius Bar appointment.
Visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
If your iPad is out of warranty, expect to pay between $99 and $149.

Replacing the battery gives your iPad a new lease on life—cheaper than buying a new device.

FAQs about iPad Battery Draining Fast

Why does my iPad battery drain quickly even when not in use?

This is a common sign of background activity. If your iPad battery drains when not in use, it’s likely due to app refresh, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or notifications. Disabling these can drastically reduce overnight drain.

How long should an iPad battery last?

Most iPad batteries are designed to retain up to 80% capacity after 1,000 charge cycles, which is typically around 2-3 years of regular use.

Does using certain apps drain the battery faster?

Yes, heavy apps like games, video editors, or navigation tools use more CPU and screen time. Monitor these in Settings > Battery to determine if they’re responsible for your iPad battery draining quickly.

Conclusion

An iPad battery draining fast is a common issue in 2025—but it's one that can usually be solved. By diagnosing the cause, adjusting your settings, and following the 11 solutions above, you can significantly extend your device’s battery life.

If you’re often mobile, pairing your iPad with a reliable power source like iPad power bank from Veger ensures you’re never left powerless. Trusted by thousands of digital nomads and tech professionals, Veger makes sure your productivity doesn't stop—no matter where you are.