My iPad is slow and laggy after iPadOS 26 update

I updated to iOS 26. I didn't install any beta, just the official. one. And this iPad is lagging so much. It's not like it's freezing completely, but some animations are just clunky and uncomfortable to watch (exiting and entering apps). I don't know what to do. Should I go back to iOS 18? I don't even know how. Should I wait for Apple to release something to fix it?

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: My iPad lags on iOS 26

iPad Air, iPadOS 26

Posted on Sep 16, 2025 7:38 AM

Top-ranking reply

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

55,322 points

Posted on Sep 16, 2025 10:39 AM

Or, just give it 3-4 days to finish indexing the files from the update that are being performed in the background. There is also optimizations work going on for your photos with object detection algorithms. Those background processes do consume CPU resources, but that should be completed shortly. Best to leave it plugged in when not in use.

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16 replies

kai_tx

Level 1

8 points

Oct 7, 2025 1:13 AM in response to Domins

I encounter same issues, hope to downgrade IpadOS 18

My iPad is slow and laggy after iPadOS 26 update