iPad slow? Learn how to make an iPad faster here!

Slow iPad? These tips will make it feel like new again

The iPad is known for its speed and ease of use. But even the fastest device can feel like it needs coffee to get going after a while. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to get your slow iPad running smoothly again.

In this blog, we discuss:

Shutting down apps and limiting background consumption
Updating iPad for better performance
Disable animations for more speed
iPad cleanup: more space = more speed
Empty cache and consider factory reset
When will you come to ThePhoneLab for help?

1. Shut down unused apps (and background usage)

An open app here, a background process there – it accumulates quickly. Close unused apps as follows:

iPads with Home button: Double-click the button and swipe up apps.
Without Home button: Swipe up from the bottom and hold for a moment.

Want to do it all right? Then turn off “Refresh in background” in Settings > General > Refresh apps in background. Then apps will no longer run secretly while you are already on TikTok.

2. Update your iPad to the latest software

Apple regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve performance. Check it out here:

Settings > General > Software Update

Tip: preferably do this when your iPad is on the charger and connected to WiFi.

3. Turn off animations – feels instantly faster

Fun transitions and sliders are nice, but not if they make your iPad slow. Turn off animations via:

Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Reduce motion

You’ll notice: apps open faster, and your iPad instantly feels a lot smoother.

4. iPad cleanup = giving breathing room

An overstuffed iPad works just like an overstuffed closet: you can’t find anything and everything takes a long time.

How do you clean up?

Check your storage: Settings > General > iPad storage
Remove apps you barely use
Discard old photos or downloads

Guideline: try to keep at least 20% free space. More free storage = more space for temporary memory = faster iPad.

5. Clear your Safari cache and consider a factory reset

Do you use Safari a lot? Then emptying your browser cache will help:

Settings > Safari > Clear history and website data

Is your iPad still going slow despite everything? Then a factory reset is sometimes the best (last) step. This returns your iPad to its original settings, as if it had just come out of the box.

📌 Read step-by-step how to do it safely here, including backup tips:
iPad back to factory settings