iPad battery rapidly draining when not in use

My relatively brand new (2 months old) iPad 10th gen is charging very slowly (16 hours to get 96%) then draining extremely fast even when not using! Three hours of NO use went from 96% to 54%. What is wrong?

iPad, iPadOS 17

Posted on Jan 2, 2025 06:51 PM

Reply
1 reply

Jan 3, 2025 03:45 AM in response to Renimac74

As described, you potentially have two separate (but possibly connected) issues:

1) Charging - influenced by the charging power source (e.g. your Power Adapter), charging cables and the device being charged (i.e. your iPad)

2) Battery life - influenced by your iPad's battery, plus your iPad's usage and any running processes.


So, addressing the possibility that your two issues may be connected, begin with a forced-restart of your iPad - as this will often resolve many isolated software issues...


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.




Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.




As for issues with charging, these support pages should help with troubleshooting battery and charging problems:

Charge and monitor the iPad battery - Apple Support

If your iPad won't charge – Apple Support


Troubleshooting generally requires substitution of the Power Adapter and cable for another known-good item. Most models of iPad require a Power Adapter rated at 12W (i.e., 2.4A @5V) or greater to reliably charge. 5W Power Adapters (1.0A @5V) intended for older models of iPhone are inadequate to charge an iPad; if the iPad charges at all, charging will be very slow. Recent models of iPad are supplied with a 20W USB-C Power Adapter.


Some third-party USB-C power adapters (and portable PowerBanks) may not support USB PD (Power Delivery). Power Delivery mutually negotiates the charging voltage; the source, load and cable are all elements involved in the negotiation protocol. Unless the Power Adapter explicitly supports USB PD, it will almost certainly fail to charge the iPad; proprietary charging standards, such as QC (Quick Charge), are not supported.


Many computer USB ports also cannot source sufficient power to charge an iPad. Unless explicitly designed for charging connected devices, computer USB ports are typically limited to 0.5-1A @5V (i.e., 2.5-5.0W).


If you continue to experience difficulties when using an appropriate Power Adapter of 12W or greater, you might be best advised to seek assistance directly from from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, 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, Power Adapter and cable(s):

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


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iPad battery rapidly draining when not in use

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