iPad Air Gen 5 (2022) back panel noise

I have the same, it creaks in my hands. Pretty annoying for an Apple product that promises to do better than this. You can also feel how wavy the screen is when scrolling. I just returned it. It was my first iPad ever.

I had same issue with iPad Air Gen 5 Wi-Fi 64GB model. Creaks while holding in hands, even with smart folio case. That creaking noise makes an impression that device might break apart. It looks like the inner parts are not glued properly together in the area around the apple logo. Returned the device, got the replacement, unfortunately it creaks even more. Returned 2nd one this morning, decided to continue using Air 4, which is a lot better in terms of built quality.

I also have an ipad Air 5th Gen with the same issue (5th Gen Wifi 64GB) - seems to be poorly built and I am thinking of returning it. If I change my hand position on the device it creaks. Main concern is that the screen is gong to crack if the shell is flexing and it definitely sounds like it is doing. I also have a 4th Gen Air and it seems to of much better build quality. I am in the UK so it does look like this is a design decision or that Apple have cut the cost of producing the shell with a thinner design maybe.

I have put a case on the device and it still seems to have this issue, maybe not as bad however with the case on its more concerning that the shell still seems to flex.

Apple reached out to me which I thought was awesome at first, however Apple did not seem to want to help me so it seems more like a damage limitation exercise rather than Apple actually caring! I cannot really fault the chap who I spoke to as he was great and a real credit to Apple. Unfortunately because I am in the UK and he was calling from the US he was unable to help further, videos of my issue were passed on internally but that's as far as the support went so far. After removing the iPad from its case and spending a little more time looking at the problem I decided its not something I want to have to live with so as recommended by Apple, I have returned the item for a refund. I do not have time to get another faulty device and the chances are that it will be from the same initial batch so I just got a refund and will not be using Apple again in future unless they step up their support in the UK and address these build issues. Premium prices for premium devices should come with premium support and build quality. I was more than happy to wait for Apple to help as long as they would promise to sort out the problem, unfortunately they we unable to do this so I just got a refund. Shame on you Apple - you really do need to do better here , I have bought lot of Apple products over the years. Main reasons for going with Apple are ease of use and I knew I was getting a quality product. Take these away and there is no point in going with Apple in the future!

If anyone is having these issue I urge you to take the device back and get a refund or exchange if you are comfortable with the chance of getting another problem device. From where I am right now, it does not look like Apple will be fixing this issue any time soon if ever!!

I returned it since the dealer who sold it has “open purchase” for 30 days.

In any case, consumer law here allows to return any item bought online within 14 days.

I was also reached out by Apple, asking for more info on the issue. I have no idea if it was just a palliative or if they’re planning to do something.

I also returned the device, because I don’t agree to pay Apple premium prices and not getting a premium build quality. They know how to do it right, it’s just not fair to lower their quality like that while charging the same.

The clicking noise/ creeking noise is really bad for me, I just need to hold the ipad gently it makes that noise, when I pick it up fast I can feel the internal shaking as if something is loose on the inside, I am afraid after long term usage the problem will get worst or the ipad might stop working completely. I upgraded from iPad Air 4 which I had used for 2 years without any quality issues, I do hope apple have a solution for this as I travel a lot with my ipad and it is actually a laptop replacement for me.

My current model is ipad Gen 5 Wi-FI + Cellular 64GB blue

Thank goodness it isn’t just me - I thought I was going crazy and feeling/hearing things.

Yes, I have exactly the same issue: new iPad Air 5 64gb Wifi, and the back creaks when I pick it up or change hand position while holding it (and I’m very gentle with it and take great care with all my tech). It’s had this symptom since it first came out of the box, and after I used it like that for about a week I’ve found it is worse now that it’s just finished its first battery charge.

So whatever the cause is it seems to have been affected negatively by the heat generated by a charging battery; it now creaks when it gets any kind of slight twist pressure, including just picking it up by a corner, and the smallest of pressure on the rear Apple logo makes it feel like the back of the shell is bowing. I loved my iPad Air 4 because it always felt like a slab of magic, but this feels like I’m going to break it just by picking it up.

Reading this thread it sounds like many people have been able to return for replacement or refund - how have you done this? Did you go to the retailer or via Apple somehow? My worry is the retailer will say it isn’t a fault, but I can’t see how to request anything from Apple. Does anyone have any suggestions? I’m in New Zealand in case the country (local consumer law?) matters.

I’ve given my old Air 4 to my sister but after reading this thread it sounds like it may be better for me to try for a refund so I can get an Air 4 again for myself, because that model was consistently just brilliant.

My advice to anyone with this issue is to return the device for a refund or even a replacement if you are willing to risk getting another device with the same issues.  I have seen people have 2 or 3 devices with the same issue which is why I got a refund instead.  Real shame as I wanted an M1 iPad :(

I never did hear back from Apple so very glad that I got a refund.

I put a complaint in to Apple about too and had a call from them this morning.  It’s very clear that Apple are aware of these issues and even know what batches of the products had the issues.  That's my understanding of the call anyhow. I DO NOT believe that Apple have recalled the faulty batch or batches though which is pretty disgusting if they are aware of it.

The Apple representative was very uncaring and did not even bother to read all the notes before calling me.  They even started the call by stating the wrong device.  Throughout the call the person mis-interpreted what I said and kept suggesting that I said things that I did not, twisting things to meet their own agenda. I am extremely unhappy about this and wanted to warn you all that Apple really do not care.

If you are not happy with your device, then please return it.  Do not end up with a faulty device that will not have the best resale value when you are ready to upgrade as that would be a big mistake.  Not only that but what if the devices have further issues down in the line due to whatever this issue is!  Putting a case on it may help to disguise the issue but at the end of the day its still there.

Apple need to do the right thing and recall these faulty devices in my opinion.  I have been a loyal customer for decades now but at this moment I do not feel that Apple care if we are customers or not which is a dangerous thing for any company to think.

Today was Korea's release date, so I got a new one. However, there was a same issue(creaking soud).

I really expected to get a new ipad but decided to refund it.

Because Apple CS told me, the easiest thing that they can do, is the refund.

I'm so upset and disappointed🥲

Now I bought a new ipad pro 11 inch...

I decided to trade in an Air 4 to upgrade to the M1 chip and noticed the back panel noise as soon as I took the Air 5 (64GB) out of the box a few hours ago. In addition to the noise, it feels like there is some "give" when I pick up the device, as if the back panel is loose or not attached properly. The Air 4 feels much more solid.

Debating just returning the 5 and canceling the trade-in given the possibility of receiving another noisy device.

I bought an iPad Air 5 at the Apple Store in Seattle last night. I immediately noticed this creaking issue out of the box. Tried to convince myself it was in my head. It wasn't – I even compared it to my iPad Air 4, which definitely didn't have this issue. Must have been a bad one, I thought to myself.

This morning, I went back to the Apple Store and swapped it for another iPad Air 5. Got home, opened it up. SAME ISSUE! Okay, this time, I went and started searching around the Internet to see if others had this problem. It's been noted on MacRumors, 9to5Mac and other sources (I'll drop some links in below). I wasn't gonna spent $1k on a product that sucked that bad.

Tonight, I went back ONE MORE TIME to the Apple Store (my second trip of the day!) and returned it. This time, I swapped it out for an iPad Pro, which LO AND BEHOLD didn't have this issue, and I paid the difference out of pocket. Overall, I am not happy with this transaction in general and I will be far more skeptical of Apple's build quality QA in the future.

This is a real issue and I hope that Apple addresses it for the folks who are experiencing it over the long term.

Some links (there's a lot more folks running into these issues):

[Link Edited by Moderator]

What is up Apple?

I am experiencing the same "clicking issue" with my Apple Air 5 Space Grey 64GB.

You can see hundreds of people having the same issue online. I just asked for in-mail service and I hope my iPad will be fixed. We expect better from a company capitalizing on product quality and increasing its prices year-by-year.

I couldn’t take. Just felt it wasn’t fair to pay Apple prices and not getting usual Apple hardware quality.

Same here! From the first day I bought the iPad, cracking noises and sometimes I feel the battery? moving!

poor quality for an iPad. Let’s see if with a case we can solve the problem.