battery drain on iPad OS 17

Solution that worked for me.

iPad Pro 11inch 3rd gen, ?2021

Problem: with iOS17 I've been having far worse performance (slow), universal control cutting out all the time, poor or failed iCloud Syncing, poor battery life (was running all day with Magic Keyboard 3months ago) and battery testing dropping significantly 700/1000 → 640/1000) (https://apps.apple.com/ao/app/battery-testing/id887730232)

Failed attempts to fix/improve

• log out and in to iCloud - x
• Turn iPad on and off - x
• Force Restart iPad - x
• Change settings to use less power (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsVZ2dLm6Y4) - x
• Reduce screen brightness and run dark mode - x
• All the advised universal control fixes from every post - x
• Restore iPad from full back up on MBP - x

I just went full nuclear option and did a complete restore with a full manual set up from scratch.

I did this recently with my new MBP (i.e. did not use migration assistant) and was really happy with how much junk got cleared out. Apparently with apple products this isn't necessary, but I think that's rubbish, clearly not transferring all your old junk from your old device is going to be beneficial

1. Backed up iPad to MBP (just in case, but didn't use)
2. Fully erased and restored factory settings
3. Manually set up iPad from scratch, did not install any back ups, did everything fully manually as if setting up an iOS device for the very first time

• • This did take several hours
  • downloaded all apps from app store,
  • Had to arrange backgrounds, app layout, and settings all from scratch
  • Had to re-login to all apps
  • Had to re-sync all iCloud apps
  • Was a huge pain in the *** to get done

Results; It has only been 24 hours but wow what a difference. Runs like a brand new iPad, all iCloud syncing perfectly, battery life is barely dropping, battery testing app has battery at 989/1000. Universal control works first time instantly.

So far in my mind worth the effort, but will repost if performance just drops again.

If you continue to experience excessive battery drain, try a forced-restart of your iPad.

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

If the problem persists after performing the restart, it may be necessary to reset your iPad settings. While this reset will not cause any loss of data, as a precaution, it is always wise to ensure that you have a current iCloud or iTunes backup before performing the reset:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

When you are happy to proceed, you can perform the reset from iPad settings:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings

If the problem still doesn’t clear, the next step is to reset the iPad to factory settings:

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

Otherwise, you would be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively and perhaps easier, you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to test and assess your iPad - and you can explore your available options:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Now 2 months on since full manual restore of iPad Pro from scratch, results → running beautifully.

All issues remain resolved

• battery performance fixed, testing scores still in the "perfect" range (978/1000)
• Universal control now just works all the time
• iCloud and iCloud Drive syncing much better

I know the issues with iOS17 issues are frustrating but at least in my experience they are fixable. Although it is a difficult and time consuming fix doing a full factory reset and then rebuilding device from scratch (without using a back up), but I feel like can reasonably recommend it as a solution, given my experience

You might expect to observe higher than usual battery drain immediately following a system software update - as your iPad will be running background housekeeping tasks such as re-indexing. This higher than normal battery utilisation can be expected to diminish over a day or two.

That said, testing suggests that iPadOS 17.x is currently less power-efficient than iPadOS 16.

This worked for several of our school iPads. Thank you. Hard restart did NOT work.

Perform All Settings reset from iPad settings:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings

YES, ipad pro going almost dead overnight and draining as I use it. Did all the steps to improve but after having the same battery issue with my iphone, I will also backup and set up from scratch for the ipad.. iphone and I are much happier. BUT I did have an issue with getting some photos and message back on after I did a backup to my mac mini. Think I did restore from backup instead of clean install which was why I had issues..

I use ProCreate a lot do NOT want to loose those sketches so not sure to back that up, maybe do a backup on icloud as well to be safe?

Also, very disappointed when Apple does not recognize the problem and makes us run in circles. Clearly lots of junk or legacy files that did not get reinstalled fixes the problem.

@artofax, I still did a full back up to my Mac and to iCloud before wiping. Therefore my back up plan in case it all went terribly, was that I could always just restore the back up and carry on as it was. But I didn't need the back up all the app data reloaded fine. It is a pain redownloading and logging in to all the apps and then resyncing again, does take ages, and make sure you have all your passwords saved

I don't use Procreate though (do check were you can save/sync specific files before the big delete)

I'm guessing because I don't know enough about hardware or software but here are my thoughts.

I think that the poor performance after iOS17 is not related to all devices, hence why apple didn't pick it up in testing and therefore couldn't pre-warn people.

I think the poor performance is due to the amount of use and data storage on an existing device.

• I think the idea that apple devices can continuously be updated and used without ever cleaning/wiping/restoring is a myth, I think there is a limit, but it doesn't sound as sexy to say that there is this limit
• I think the major platform change that came with iOS17 tipped devices that had been heavily used over the point at which they can keep running at full function without a complete restore
• I think the solution is (as I've described above), to do a full wipe of your device and start fresh with iOS17
• I can't imagine apple would have found that in their testing and I can't imagine it is good for their image of "maintenance free, easy use devices" to inform people they need to do this if they have now figured it out.

Again not a tech person, just figuring it out by use and trial and error, but hope this helps your frustration and offers a solution.

The same problem on the iPad 9 device tried all the tips, nothing helped, it still runs out quickly, most likely the bug version, we are waiting for the bug fix in version 17.0.3, I hope it will be released soon. Interestingly, has anyone written to support that charging is quickly discharged? To fix this problem as soon as possible ?

@ dekaterina Do you have a MacBook you could back up your photos too? If you don't have a MacBook then export them out of photos and download them onto an external hard drive. Hope this helps

The same problem on the iPad 9 device tried all the tips, nothing helped, it still runs out quickly, most likely the bug version, we are waiting for the bug fix in version 17.0.3, I hope it will be released soon. Interestingly, has anyone written to support that charging is quickly discharged? Fix this problem as soon as possible

FlyfishermanNYC wrote:

So why didn’t the upgrade documentation let us know that your iPad would become unusable. You people at Apple are incompetent.

The Apple Support Community (ASC) is a user-to-user technical form. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither monitor nor participate within the Community. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. As such comments intended for Apple will miss your intended audience.

Apple invite submission of constructive comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback portal:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

Chatted with Support and then went to in-person support, so I know they know! I also left feedback on the Apple site. Apple doesn’t see what we write here, so it’s important to make noise on their site.