Simple ways to make your iPad charge faster than before

💡Need to know

• Use a high-wattage wall charger —a 20W or 30W adapter.
• Turn on Airplane Mode to reduce battery drain.
• Keep your iPad cool—extreme heat can slow or stop charging.
• Leave the screen off while charging.

iPad® batteries can last all day for many newer models. But when your battery’s low, that long battery life doesn’t help you any. You have to wait for your iPad to charge, and it can feel like it takes forever.

If you’ve been dealing with a slow-charging iPad, you’re not alone. It’s a common issue. You don’t have to accept it, though. By making a few simple changes, you can get your iPad to a full charge faster.

At Asurion, our experts have seen and tried it all when it comes to tech. We’re here to help you with all things tech care, from fixing a disabled iPad to fixing an iPad that won't charge. Try these tips on how to make your iPad charge faster.

Use a high-wattage power adapter and wall outlet

Earlier iPad models came with 10W or 12W charging blocks. While these blocks will still charge your iPad, they do not offer the same speeds as high-wattage power adapters. Lower wattage means slower charging. The 5W power adapter that used to come with iPhone models, for example, would take many hours to fully charge an iPad.

Instead, use an 18W or 20W power adapter to charge your iPad. These adapters can deliver more electrical power to your device, so it charges faster. A 20W adapter delivers twice as much power per second to your iPad as a 10W adapter, meaning your iPad reaches a full charge in less time.

You can usually see the wattage of your power adapter on the adapter itself. If you bought a recent iPad model, it likely came with an 18W or 20W power adapter in the box.

Avoid these common iPad charging mistakes:

• Ignoring third-party adapters: Third-party adapters can work as well as Apple’s—just make sure they offer enough wattage.
• Charging through a computer USB port: While you can charge your iPad by plugging it into your computer, a wall outlet and power adapter offer much faster charging.
• Using a damaged cable: A frayed or broken cable may not offer a strong connection, leading to slow, intermittent charging. Try using a different cable, whether it’s from Apple or a third party, as a slow-charging iPad fix.

Adjust settings to reduce power draw while charging

When your iPad is charging slowly, it’s worth playing around with your settings.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Toggle on Airplane Mode.
3. Go to Battery.
4. Toggle on Low Power Mode.

Turning on Low Power Mode will automatically reduce your screen brightness, stop app refreshes, and reduce animations to help extend your battery life. Since there’s less drain on your iPad battery, you’ll reach a full charge sooner.

Airplane Mode disables Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connections. Without these background processes, your iPad should charge at least a little bit faster.

Some iPad models support fast charging that gets your device to 50% battery life in about half an hour. For iPad Pro fast charging, you'll need a 60W or higher power adapter.

Keep your iPad cool and the charging port clean

Physical factors can also affect how fast your iPad charges.

Make sure to charge your iPad somewhere it can stay cool. Ideally, you should not use or charge your iPad in environments hotter than 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Very hot conditions can permanently shorten your iPad’s battery life.

Overheating will also slow down or stop charging entirely. You may see a notification that charging is on hold until your device returns to a normal temperature. If that happens, unplug your iPad and get it into a cooler environment. Make sure there’s nothing on top of the device to trap heat and plug it back in.

Keep your charging port clean, too. People clean their iPad screens and cases but often forget about cleaning the iPad's charging port. Dirt and debris in the port can affect the connection between your iPad and the charger, leading to slower charging speeds.

1. Power off your iPad.
2. Use a wooden toothpick or soft dry brush to gently remove any debris.
3. Alternatively, use compressed air to loosen and remove dust.
4. Turn your iPad back on once the port is clean.

Do not use water to clean the charging port. Try charging your iPad again once the port is clean to see if you reach a full battery faster.