IPad Air 4th Generation User Here - Asking About Freezing

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IPad Air 4th Generation User Here - Asking About Freezing

Hi,

I have had my 4th Generation iPad Air ever since October 2nd, 2021. It is currently updated at IOS 15.5, and whenever I go to look at whether it needs an update, it says that the iPad is up to date, and displays this message;

I have 2.6 GB of my iCloud storage filled, and 26.8 GB of general storage filled. I have an adblocker in place (AdGuard), frequently clear my search history, hide my IP, and don’t go on any websites that aren’t secure. There is currently a large, curved crack that goes from one side of my screen to the other, that is near the middle but closer to the left side of the screen, and has no discoloration near the crack, and it is barely visible. I usually use an Apple Pencil and a Magic Keyboard, and have multiple Bluetooth accessories that I use almost every day. I back up my storage as much as I can, and I always make sure that my iPad is higher than 60% battery whenever I use it. I rarely ever take it outdoors, and it doesn’t get warm or hot, but it does only a slight bit if I take it outside. Whenever I do not use it for prolonged periods of time, I shut it down. I do not expose it to water and I clean the screen at least once a month. I update the IOS and all the apps on my device as soon as or as frequently as I can. I use the iPad for an average of 15 hours a day (with breaks, of course!)

Now, for my actual problem:

My iPad will randomly freeze, the screen will be unresponsive for a few seconds, and then it will unfreeze. After this happens, I typically close all apps and restart the device. The power button will be unresponsive, but when it is responsive, and I use it, the iPad will turn off and not turn on again unless it restarts itself (like earlier today) or unless I click it 3-4 times (like past instances of this happening). This has only happened twice before, and I will describe what happened before it froze to the best of my ability:

The first time it froze, I was watching a YouTube video in a split screen while running an art program (IbisPaint X) simultaneously. I was using a Bluetooth device to listen to the video. The screen then froze, and after a while, everything was fine. I restarted the device afterwards (I did not Factory Reset the device).

The second time it froze, I was listening to audio from a YouTube video in the background while using IbisPaint X. I went to go check the time by pulling the Lock Screen down from the top of the screen when it froze. I quickly disconnected the Bluetooth device, waited a few seconds, and all was well. However, the battery was low, about 50%. I restarted the device afterwards (again, not Factory reset).

Today, I turned my iPad on, answered a text message, went to the Mail app, deleted an email, and then the screen froze. None of the buttons would work, but when the power button did work, the screen stayed black. After a while, the white gear button displayed on the screen, froze, cycled through again, and all was well. I stayed on the iPad for a few minutes, restarted the iPad twice (one force restart), and here I am, writing this review.

I apologize for the lengthy response, but I am aware that details are crucial to solve a problem. Will I have to Factory Reset my device? Are there any “problem apps”? Are my Bluetooth accessories the culprit? The crack in my screen? The IOS edition? Do I have a virus or malware?

Thanks for reviewing,

Evelyn Saladino

iPad Air, iPadOS 15

Posted on Jun 26, 2022 9:29 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LotusPilot

Community+ 2024

Level 10

289,454 points

Jun 26, 2022 10:10 AM in response to Evelyn-Saladino

On the basis of available information, it is impossible to attribute specific cause.

You’ll need to systematically eliminate possible factors that you can directly influence - and/or perform the Factory Restore.

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Answer 2

Jun 26, 2022 9:52 AM in response to Evelyn-Saladino

Evelyn-Saladino wrote:

Will I have to Factory Reset my device? Are there any “problem apps”? Are my Bluetooth accessories the culprit? The crack in my screen? The IOS edition? Do I have a virus or malware?

Given your description, a Factory Restore may be beneficial - but first ensure that you have an iCloud or iTunes backup with which to restore all your data after performing the Factory Restore process.

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

Bluetooth

Your Bluetooth accessories are perhaps unlikely to be the cause of periodic freezing. This aspect is easy to prove; as a diagnostic exercise, simply delete them from your iPad setup. If you see no difference in your iPad performance, you will have demonstrated that BT devices are not the cause.

By contrast, if you determine that your BY devices are a contributory factor, they can be added one-by-one, testing as you go, to determine which is causing difficulties.

Cracked Screen

Your screen digitiser might be a contributory factor - but short of having your screen replaced, this will be impossible to prove.

iPadOS Version

You should always keep your iPad updated to the most recent supported version. System updates include feature updates, software patches and essential security updates.

Virus/Malware

Due to the system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken (don’t go there!), your iPad is not susceptible to traditional malware infection per-se. However, as with all computer systems, there are still vulnerabilities and exploits to which you remain vulnerable.

With your iPad updated to the most recent supported version of iPadOS, it is highly unlikely that you will have performance affecting malware.

The majority of threats to which you will be invariably exposed will surface via web pages or embedded links within email. These browser-based attacks can largely be mitigated by installing a good Content and Ad-blocking product. One of the very best and most respected within the Apple App Store - designed for iPad, iPhone and Mac - is 1Blocker for Safari.

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1blocker-for-safari/id1365531024

1Blocker is highly configurable - and crucially does not rely upon an external proxy-service of dubious provenance. All processing takes place on your device - and contrary to expectations, Safari will run faster and more efficiently. 1Blocker has also recently introduced its new “Firewall” functions - that are explicitly designed to block “trackers”. Being implemented at the network-layer, this additional protection works across all Apps. Recent updates to 1Blocker has introduced additional network extensions, extending protection to other Apps.

A further measure to improve protection is to use a security focussed DNS Service in preference to automatic DNS settings. This can either be set on a per-device basis in Settings, or can be set-up on your home Router - and in so doing extends the benefit of this specific protection to other devices on your local network. I recommend using one of the following DNS services - for which IPv4 and IPv6 server addresses are listed:

Quad9 (recommended)

9.9.9.9

149.112.112.112

2620:fe::fe

2620:fe::9

OpenDNS

208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

2620:0:ccc::2

2620:0:ccd::2

Cloudflare+APNIC

1.1.1.1

1.0.0.1

2606:4700:4700::1111

2606:4700:4700::1001

There are advanced techniques to further “harden” iOS/iPadOS (such as using DoH, DoT and DNSSEC). Apple has recently introduced its new Private Relay to its iCloud+ subscribers - in part employing DoH as an element of this new functionality.

I hope this information and insight proves to be helpful.

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Answer 3

Jun 26, 2022 9:56 AM in response to LotusPilot

Thank you, it was! One question, though; has this happened to other users like me? Is there a known cause for what I am experiencing?

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IPad Air 4th Generation User Here - Asking About Freezing

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