Simple ways to make your iPad charge faster than before

⚡ Fast fix

• Check the charger. Use an Apple charger and cable that can deliver enough power to your iPad.
• Inspect the charging port. Dust and lint can slow or interrupt charging.
• Pause power-hungry tasks. Streaming, gaming, and video calls can make charging feel much slower.
• Restart your iPad. A quick reboot can fix software issues that affect charging performance.

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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.

To get the absolute fastest speeds on a modern iPad, upgrade to a 30W or 35W USB-C Power Delivery (PD) adapter. While older tablets capped out at 12W or 20W, current iPad Air and iPad Pro models can pull up to 30W of electricity. Note: You don't need a massive 60W or 100W laptop brick—the iPad’s internal logic gates will cap the incoming power at its internal limit (usually around 30W to 35W) to protect the battery.

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.

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FAQ

Why is my iPad charging so slowly?

Usually it's one of the usual suspects: a weak charger, a worn-out cable, a dirty charging port, or too much going on in the background.

How can I make my iPad charge faster?

Give it a break. Use a higher-wattage charger, turn down the brightness, and avoid streaming, gaming, or scrolling while it charges.

Can a dirty charging port really slow down charging?

Yep. A pocketful of lint can keep the cable from making a solid connection—and your battery pays the price.

Why does my iPad say “Not Charging” when it’s plugged in?

Your charger may not be delivering enough power. Try a wall outlet and a compatible charger before assuming the worst.

Do charging cables actually wear out?

They do. If you have to wiggle the cable, hold it "just right," or see frayed spots, it's probably time for a replacement.

When is it time to get my iPad checked out?

If you've tried different chargers, cables, and outlets and it's still crawling, the battery or charging port could be the real problem. That's when it's worth getting a professional iPad diagnosis.