iPads have large batteries that can last a long time. After all, they need a lot of power behind those large screens. However, even the iPad’s battery can start degrading over time. If you noticed that your iPad’s battery isn’t lasting like it used to, what can you do?
Checking your iPad battery health is the first step. The next step is to change some of your charging and usage habits to help prolong battery life. This guide discusses both and answers any other questions you may have.
Let’s begin!
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Why Check Your iPad’s Battery Health?
First, your iPad battery’s health is not the same as how long it can hold a charge. However, the two are related.
Battery health on the iPad measures how many complete charging cycles (charge to full, discharge) your iPad’s battery can sustain before it can no longer hold a charge. All batteries are rated for a certain number of charge cycles before replacement. Over time, racking up charge cycles can reduce how much charge your iPad can hold.
It’s a good idea to run an iPad battery health diagnostic test every so often, especially if your iPad is starting to age. That way, you can find out if your battery needs extra care. An iPad battery life check can help you take action to protect your batteries and enable them to last longer.
How to Check iPad Battery Health Using iMazing
Unfortunately, checking battery health on the iPad is more complex than on the iPhone. While Apple provided the iPhone with battery health information in its settings, they didn’t put this feature in iPads. Fortunately, you can check battery health on iPad tablets by using iMazing.
iMazing works on Windows and Mac. You will need to connect your iPad to a computer using the cable. Here’s how to see battery health on iPad with iMazing:
- Download and install iMazing (2) on your computer.
- Connect your iPad to your computer using its cable. If the “allow accessory to connect” dialog appears, click Allow. If prompted to back up your iPad, feel free to skip it for now.
- Open iMazing 2. If you don’t have a license, click on Continue Trial.
- In iMazing 2, click on the battery icon in the bottom right corner.
- You’ll then see your iPad’s battery health information.
Unfortunately, iMazing is a paid app. You’ll need to buy a license to keep using it past the trial. You can purchase a license with a one-time purchase or do a yearly subscription for unlimited devices.
How to Find Your Charge Cycle Count on iPadOS 16+
iPads have no way to display charge cycle counts natively. But you can check iPad battery health using iPad analytics. Here’s how:
- Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements.
- Ensure that Share iPad Analytics is on. This setting needs to be on for you to get the data you need. If it is off, turn it on and wait a day before continuing with the steps below.
- Once enabled, tap on Analytics Data. If there is no data available, wait a day and try again.
- On iPadOS 16+, go to this link and add PowerUtil to your shortcuts. This shortcut is 100% free!
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Analytics Data. Tap on any Analytics log file, then select PowerUtil.
- Once you tap on PowerUtil, the shortcut will run and display your battery cycle information, as in the screenshot below.
How to Troubleshoot a Dying iPad Battery
You’ve learned how to see battery health on iPad tablets. If you feel you need extra help troubleshooting battery issues, here’s what you can do:
- If your iPad’s battery is running down faster than expected, or if it’s getting really hot (or both!), force restart your iPad. Sometimes software glitches can cause hardware problems, and a hard restart is enough to fix the issue. If this doesn’t fix the problem, consider taking your device to a service center for further diagnosis.
- Try turning on airplane mode to see if WiFi, mobile connectivity, or location services are causing the issue.
- Try using a different charger and/or cable to see if they are causing a problem.
If you do all these and still feel stumped, it may be time to take your tablet to an authorized service center.
Charging Your iPad: Best Practices to Extend Your Battery’s Life
Now that you know how to check battery health on iPad, you can take some steps and adjust your habits to help extend your battery life. Consider the tips below:
- Don’t keep your iPad plugged in 24/7. You may even want to unplug if you’re charging overnight. Batteries have overcharge protection, but staying at 90-100% all the time can stress the battery and reduce its life span.
- Use official or Apple-approved charging accessories. Don’t risk your device by using tools that may not offer reliable power delivery.
- If you have the patience for it, charging your tablet up to 80-85% maximum can help keep it healthy for longer.
- You can prolong the time between charges by reducing screen brightness, turning off location services when they aren’t necessary, and turning airplane mode on when not using your iPad. Or, you could turn low power mode on!
Related: The Top 9 Best iPad Alternatives to Try in 2024
My iPad’s Battery Is in Poor Health — What Do I Do?
If your iPad battery health check showed you some concerning results and you’re struggling to get a full day’s use out of your tablet, it’s time to start considering your options. So what can you do if your iPad’s battery is on its way out?
Start Using a Power Bank
Over a decade ago, power banks were simply a thing of the imagination. Today, many (including this editor) can barely fathom going back to a life without them.
A power bank can be beneficial in keeping your devices powered. As long as the power bank is compatible with your iPad, you’ll have portable power — though you’ll need to deal with charging cables and the like. At least you can continue bringing your iPad with you (instead of keeping it tethered to its charger at home).
Consider a Battery Replacement
If your iPad’s battery is in such poor condition that it won’t even last a few hours after being unplugged, it may be time to bring it in for a battery replacement.
Worried about the cost? If your iPad is still under warranty, you won’t have to pay anything. The same applies if you have insurance that covers battery replacements.
If you’re out of the warranty period or don’t have any insurance, it will cost you $100-110 to get your battery replaced by Apple or at an authorized service center. We do not recommend attempting to replace it yourself unless you are confident in your ability to do so.
Is It Time for a New iPad?
A battery replacement will cost you about $100. A new basic 10th-generation iPad starts at $449. You can still get a 9th-generation iPad at $329. If your iPad is several generations old and is showing signs of slowing down, you may want to consider replacing it entirely. However, if you have a higher-model iPad that’s still functioning quite well, it may be better to replace the battery instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the iPad have battery health?
Any device with a built-in battery has what’s called “battery health,” including iPads. Battery health refers to a battery’s condition and often denotes how well the battery can hold a charge. Lithium-ion batteries, like the ones used in iPads, have limited life spans and charge cycles. When you reach a certain point, your iPad’s battery health will start to decline.
How do I know if my iPad battery needs replacing?
Follow our guide on how to check iPad battery life above. If results show that you’re near the end of your battery’s lifespan, it’s time to look for a replacement. Additionally, if your iPad’s battery starts to balloon, bring it in for a replacement ASAP.
Is it expensive to replace an iPad battery?
It can be. If you are out of warranty or do not have insurance covering your tablet, you’ll need to pay $100-110 out of pocket for the battery replacement at Apple or an authorized service center. You might be able to do it for cheaper, but we don’t recommend attempting this yourself.
How do I check the battery cycle on an iPad?
You can follow the step-by-step guide on how to find battery health on iPad in our article above.
Does leaving the iPad plugged in ruin the battery?
Battery technology has improved to the point where Li-ion batteries have built-in features to protect against overcharging damage. Leaving your iPad plugged in is entirely safe, provided your charger and cable have no issues. However, Li-ion batteries may suffer stress damage if they are constantly at 90-100%. Unless you need your battery to last all day, charging up to about 85% and unplugging might be more beneficial.
Conclusion
Taking steps to maintain your iPad battery health can help prolong the service life of your device by a year or more. The tips outlined above include some of the best practices for protecting battery health on an iPad. You can easily incorporate some of these tips into your daily routine with a few adjustments, especially if you find your iPad battery health missing some of its capacity.
We hope you found this guide helpful! Do you have any battery care tips? Share them with us in the comments below!
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