Help! Help! iPad 10th Gen no longer works after ios26 update

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Level 1

4 points

Help! Help! iPad 10th Gen no longer works after ios26 update

This iPad is my lifeline to my new freelance job as photojournalist for a newswire. Without it I’m doomed because I don’t currently have the funds or credit to buy a new one or even a used one. I’m basically out of options and as a long time Apple fan & buyer (since 1999) I’m wondering if I should stick with Apple or not. I spent the last week looking online to try and figure out why (it’s out of warranty but under 3 years old) and have noticed others with similar complaints.

Again I had ZERO ISSUES UNTIL I UPDATED TO iOS26. That’s when everything went to Heck.

I diverge.

So…

iPad 10.9” 10th Generation (WiFi only). Model: A2696

Right after I updated my iPad to iOS26 things started to get weird.

Here is what happened:

At first it was little things like I couldn’t turn my iPad off in the vertical position but could horizontal. (Would not react to my finger sliding it off.)

Then even more screen/touch issues especially in the corner and top areas of the screen …and I would have to persistently touch the darn thing over and over again to get any response and sometimes I couldn’t.

THEN…it ramped up to crazy, as if some competing hands were pushing parts of the screen repeatedly. (Video link below)

I made sure there were no other devices connected to (Bluetooth keyboard etc) so I was baffled.

I then grudgingly wiped my iPad and started over hoping that was the end of it. And it was okay for a day but then the same thing happened…minor touch issues and then ramped up again to invisible crazy hands.

So

I tried to turn the FindMyIphone off on the iPad so I could access it via my iMac to wipe it again but that was impossible because it would not respond to my touch at all and the ‘crazy hands’ prevented me from sticking to the System app…it would always throw me into Preview or Photos or whatever.

THEN suddenly it all turned black with graphic lines creasing the bottom.

I used my iPhone to erase my iPad remotely "lost mode" but the end result is just a black screen with some white lines.

And now I cannot access it and I can’t afford to have it looked at.

And even if I could afford another one…I will now hesitate after this experience and likely need to communicate this madness to everyone I work with.

I tried everything…but happy to field suggestions.

The video is provided on YouTube links here:

Video of iPad with 'invisible hands'

iPad after iOS26 update

Video of iPad currently

iPad's Current state

Thank you and these are the prior searches I did to investigate my issue with the iPad.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipados-26-finally-killed-off-my-2018-ipad-pro.2461840/

IOS 26 on iPad & iphone problems - Apple Community

https://www.drbuho.com/how-to/ios-26-issues

iPad, iPadOS 26

Posted on Nov 5, 2025 5:53 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 5, 2025 6:22 AM in response to fjp-nyc

You may have tried some of this already...

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:

Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
Press and hold the top button.
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 - and request a remote diagnostic test of your iPad. 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 test and assess your iPad. Assessment and diagnostics of your iPad will be at no cost to you.

If a fault is identified that cannot be immediately resolved by the Apple technicians, you will be in the best possible place to explore your available options:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

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Answer 2

SergZak

Level 6

10,630 points

Nov 5, 2025 6:26 PM in response to fjp-nyc

This looks to me like the iPad's touch screen digitizer & LCD cables have been knocked loose by a bump, drop or otherwise. It may be a hardware issue rather than the OS update doing something unexpected but seeing as you've tried the common user-performed resolutions, I think it's worth scheduling a Genius Bar reservation to have the device evaluated by Apple. They will tell you what can be done to resolve it.

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Answer 3

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

57,578 points

Nov 9, 2025 6:27 PM in response to charcharbinks554

charcharbinks554 wrote:

Same thing happened to me

And the solution is the same. Schedule an appointment at the Apple Store for them to perform diagnostics. Nothing that has been posted appears to be a Software issue, and the diagnostics performed will be able to determine if the Screen Digitizer is failing or Logic Board replacement is needed.

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