Fix an iPad’s Battery Life by Saving Power
The best way to get a full day out of your iPad’s battery is to use it more efficiently. You can do that by adjusting a few settings to ensure you don’t use more battery power than you need.
How to Fix Your iPad Battery By Finding an Errant App
It is not only the settings that can cause your iPad battery problems. While the apps that use the most power are typically the ones that you use the most, sometimes a little-used app can use more than its fair share. It’s a good idea to check which apps are draining your iPad’s battery by viewing the data from Settings > Battery.
Extend Your iPad’s Battery Life With a Power Boost
If nothing else helps, you can get a boost from outside your iPad. You may not be able to plug in your iPad throughout the day for an extra charge, but you can carry an external battery pack. These battery packs act similarly to a wall outlet, except that they are portable.
Is It Time to Replace Your Battery?
For many people, low battery life signals a good time to upgrade to the latest iPad. However, if your iPad serves your needs, you may benefit from a battery replacement. Apple charges $99 to replace a battery on an out-of-warranty iPad in addition to a shipping fee if you don’t take it to a store. There are also other options for battery replacement, such as taking it to a third-party Apple-authorized dealer.
Steps to Take Before You Get a Replacement
Before you replace the battery, perform a factory reset on the iPad. This deletes everything and resets it to factory conditions. This could fix battery issues that are caused by the operating system and is a worthwhile step before paying for a new battery. Remember to back up your data first. You should also back up your iPad before sending it to Apple. Many iPads are set to back up every time they are charged, but it doesn’t hurt to do a manual backup in this instance.
Is a New Battery Worth It?
The entry-level iPad is now $329 and is powerful enough for most people. The newest iPad Pro models start at $799 and the iPad Mini 4 is $399. If you estimate that the entry-level iPad should last a person three to four years and the Pro models even longer, then $99 represents about a year to a year-and-a-half worth of iPad use. If you don’t need or plan an upgrade for a couple of years, battery replacement is the way to go.
Does the iPad Have Low Power Mode?
Unlike the iPhone, the iPad doesn’t have a Low Power Mode, but the above tips can help maximize battery life. On iPhones, this feature alerts you at 20 percent and again at 10 percent power that you are running low on battery life and offers to put the phone in battery-saving mode. This mode turns off a number of features, including some that couldn’t ordinarily be turned off, such as special graphics used in the user interface.
