iPad overheating when using notes and Apple Pencil

We aren't experiencing defective iPads, this is a common problem, across many different makes of iPad.

If I had to guess, I would say that the handwriting feature of the Notes app is not very well optimised, and once you've been writing on it for an extended period, perhaps an hour or so, something happens.

The iPad becomes way too hot, which downclocks the CPU, and the registration of the keystrokes gets slow and janky.

Using the same iPad, using the same Pen, but switching to Notability, no more overheating, no janky performance, not battery being drained.

This is a serious issue with the Notes app, as it looks like it just can't be used for serious notetaking.

Yes.

I was personally happy with Notability, but of course, any other notetaking app will do.

Sadly, there is some bad advice in this thread; telling people to go to the Genius Bar, or change the brightness.

I would at least, raise this with Customer Support on the phone, and ask to be connected to a technician, so they can do a write up of the problem, I think the more people we have reporting the issue, the faster it will get fixed.

swordscomputer wrote:

This isn't a proper response to the issue.

This is across iPad models, and there is nothing someone at a Genius bar is going to be able to do about it. The behaviour only occurs with the Apple Notes app, and after writing on it with the Apple Pencil for an hour. Even if you get a Genius bar assistant to sit there watching you write something for an hour to recreate the issue, they still aren't going to be in a position to do anything about the problem.

As it looks, it is an optimisation problem with the handwriting feature on Apple Notes for iPad.

Telling people to change the brightness of their screen, or going to a Genius Bar (I don't live in a country with Apple stores), isn't going to help.

And where, precisely, have I offered any advice to change screen brightness in response to this issue? Clearly I have not - but I have offered completely appropriate advice in suggesting that assistance is sought from Apple.

Despite your assertion, Apple's in-store technicians have access to technical resources that we, as contributors, do not. Similarly, they have the ability to escalate issues to Apple Support - and they in turn to Apple's Engineering resources where appropriate.

While you may not be in a country where Apple is represented with official Stores or Apple Authorised Service Providers (AASPs), this is unlikely to be the case for many that are experiencing the described difficulties.

Use a different notes app.

It is not unusual for an iPad to become warm when being used - more so when using some types of iPad case. High screen brightness and/or CPU intensive Apps will also create more heat.

The key point is that whilst your iPad may become very warm in normal use, the iPad should not become uncomfortably hot to handle. If your iPad is becoming too hot to hold, you should take your iPad along to the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store - where the technicians can examine and test your iPad for faults.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

one "work around is to set the luminosity to a minimum (as low as you feel confortable with) and then stop "auto adjust of luminosity" when using Notes (you can change it back afterwards

you'll notice: 1- don't overheat

2- less battery drain

You mentioned, brightness, Aug 7, 2023 11:51 AM in response to sp2369.

This isn't a hardware issue, as it is not common to a specific type of iPad.

This is a software issue related to the Notes app on iPad. Switching to an other notetaking app, doesn't cause the overheating.

This isn't something that an Apple store / Genius bar employee can do anything about, or would it be even something that could be practically demonstrated to them. Sitting around in an Apple store, isn't going to help, it is really just a waste of time, and they will likely telling you any number of inaccurate things, as they try and replace or upsell you on another iPad.

This is something that needs to be raised on a technical level to Apple themselves, and hopefully to the Notes app on iPadOS team. So, it would be better to call Apple Support, and ask that you be connected to a technician, who then can write it up.

I am seeing this issue for last 2-3 years. Stopped using Apple notes app, trying every now and then hoping they will fix the issue.

I have seen this issue appear only when I attach image in my notes.

I hope this gets fixed soon because there are some features which I really miss in other note taking apps.

EncSD wrote:

Brand new Apple Pencil Pro with Brand New iPad Pro 11" (M4/7th Gen):

In Notes, Pencil starts going wonky (time-delay response to scrolling/writing) and that's when iPad overheats & battery drains rapidly. Rebooting iPad (from Settings/General) temporarily fixes Pencil wonkiness. But overheating & draining battery on brand new iPad can't be a good thing for longevity. Needs permanent fix.

If these things are brand new, meaning you purchased them within the last 14 days, return them. Then buy ones that work. If you're beyond the 14 days, arrange for Apple to service them. This is not normal. Apple can't fix it unless they see the devices.

I spent three days last week at a conference taking notes all day on my brand new iPad Pro 11 inch. I've had a lot of iPads over the years and all the versions of Pencil. This was by far the best experience ever. And no, nothing overheated.

Iba2608 wrote:

Kindly please fix this issue.

This is a user-to-user forum. No one reading or participating in this forum can fix your iPad. Contact Apple directly for assistance:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Hi jayanth971! I have been dealing with this FOREVER. I just found that if I turned my brightness down it really resolved the issue. Probably around 60%, +/-.

Hope this helps!

Have you tried reducing screen brightness? I have an iPad Pro 13” m1 and it did the trick.

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Community.

We want to make sure you reach the right team for help with your device. We recommend that you contact Apple Support directly. Depending on your region, you may be able to reach them here: Get Support.

Seems like the answer is, don't use the Notes app for serious notetaking.

I use Notability, which has been a much better experience.

A quick fix for that is to reduce the luminosity of the iPad as well as turning auto brightness off... If it still gets not after that, try going into dark mode, to reduce the "light" of the screen.