How do I fix rapid battery drain on iPad Air after an update?

If it is an iPad Air 2nd generation (firstly released in 2014), the battery might be close to the critical point of its life.

I suggest that you have it checked at an Apple Store or at an AASP (Apple Authorized Service Provider) among this list:--> https://locate.apple.com/choose-country-region

Regards

Giulio

If your iPad is not operating as expected, try a forced-restart - as this will often clear an isolated software issue:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

If the problem persists after performing the restart, it may be necessary to reset your iPad settings. While this reset will not cause any loss of data, as a precaution, it is always wise to ensure that you have a current iCloud or iTunes backup before performing the reset:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

When you are happy to proceed, you can perform the reset from iPad settings:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings

If the problem still doesn’t clear, the next step is to reset the iPad to factory settings:

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

Otherwise, you would be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively and perhaps easier, you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to assist with troubleshooting:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Hi Dan,

I'm a little bit confused.

1) Re-reading your original post (re-titled by Moderator) I don't know if your affected device is an iPad or an iPhone.

2) In my first reply I suggested that you had your battery checked 'cause from your products list (in your original post) it appeared that you have an old iPad Air 2nd gen. But this is impossible since, as you described in your last reply, the technicians installed a fresh copy of the latest operating system version 18.4.1 (which is NOT supported by an iPad Air 2nd gen.).

Anyway, thanks for keeping me informed.

I would try to clear your Safari history and cookies (as per this support article:--> Clear the history, cache, and cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support ), then use your device for 2-3 days and, if the issue persists, take it back for a deeper inspection. Please let me know how it goes.

Regards

Giulio

I have the same issue.

So, I got the iPad Air 11" last year at launch... and installed a few apps.

Installed it, but didn't use it for a while really until January and then migrated from my old iPad to the new one.

This was on iPadOS 18.3.

Immediately I noticed that the battery was draining while idle. About 30% of the battery while idle over a day, and that is with all app's closed. And the power drain was attributed to one of the apps, fortunately, that app is a niche app for tracking coffee brews and I have contact with the dev of the app so we could do some troubleshooting. And we couldn't find any issue.

Then iPadOS 18.4 Launched. And the problem was gone. No longer any extra power draw, idle times looked perfectly fine. Lost maybe 8% / day with light usage.

Lo and behold, iPadOS 18.5 launches, and the problem is now back. This time I removed the coffee app entirely. And now the iPad attributes the power draw to the files app instead. Then I started another app for a while, and closed it, swipe up, etc, now that app is attributed while closed instead.

This leads me think its a software issue that existed in 18.x up to 18.3, then for some reason was fixed in 18.4, but then reintroduced in 18.5.

Regards

Peter

My error was on 18.3 and came back in 18.5, but I managed to track it down. Its the mobile radio that draws way to much power. Turn off the mobile connection and it doesnt drop a single % in 18 hours. Turn on bluetooh, it takes maybe 3% in 8 hours. Turn on the mobile data, then its 10% in another 3 hours.

So, now I know what the issue is, I can just wait for an update and work around it.

dtrickle wrote:

i may have accidentally selected the wrong model. i am using an ipad air 11". sorry for any confusion!

Dan.

No worries, Dan.

Keep me informed.

Giulio