my ipad air charges only up to 85

Hello myrna167,

We understand your iPad battery is not charging to 100%. We know how important it is to get the most from your battery, and we'd like to help you resolve this.

In order to get this sorted out, we recommend starting with the steps in the "If your iPad charges slowly or won’t charge" section of this support article first: If your iPad won't charge.

Next, see if the same thing happens after updating your iPad: Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Let us know if the issue persists afterwards.

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care!

We have seen several reports of iPad Air4 battery charging being apparently limited to approximately 80% of full capacity in some circumstances.

Whilst unlikely, perhaps you have a problem with your Power Adapter. Start here:

If your iPad won't charge – Apple Support

Do you leave your iPad connected to its Power Adapter for extended periods? If so, this is not of itself an issue - as the iPad will optimally manage battery charging. When connected to a Power Adapter for an extended period of time, such as when used in Kiosk or PoS (Point if Sale) applications, iPad will change its charge management strategy - and reduce the maximum battery charge level to about 80% of maximum capacity. This strategy is intended to extend the life of the battery by reducing chemical ageing that occurs when the battery is continuously maintained 100% charge. As soon as a “normal” charge/discharge pattern is resumed, charge to full capacity is restored.

If your iPad has paused charging at ~80%, simply disconnecting the Power Adapter from the iPad for several seconds may trigger completion of the charge. 

Other reports seen within this Support Community suggest that temperature may be a contributory factor; the iPad is designed to reduce the charging rate if the temperature is too high for optimal charging. Whilst purely speculative, it is possible that the recent iPadOS update has erroneously changed the temperature calibration for your iPad. If so, a future update may correct this irriation.

More information about iPad’s battery management can be found here:

About iPad and iPhone Charge Management Feature – Apple Support

Recent changes to iPadOS may have altered the charging strategy of your iPad. Speaking of my own experience, the iPad Pro from where I make this reply has recently changed its own charging strategy - and now rapidly charges to 100% capacity without reducing the charge rate, or pausing charging, at ~80% of maximum.