My iPad is slow and laggy after iPadOS 26 update

I agree. With 26.1 installed, I still get laggy scrolling at least every 3-4 days, for which the temporary cure is a complete shutdown and restart...with the added feature that about half the time the shutdown slider is non-responsive, and it takes another one or two times of dismissing and calling up that screen to be able to shut down.

Yes indeed. Literally just now, I was using my 11” M1 Pro with 26.1 and was just jotting down notes I’m going to post here & send to apple as feedback. Indeed, iOS 26.1 is still very much unpolished and half-baked.

THE reason I have stuck with iOS so long is that - no matter how powerful the hardware - android OS can never seem to attain the same silky smooth, perfectly flowy UI / UK that has always been a hallmark of iOS.

I’m very disappointed to see Apple starting to veer down that same road and just in the name of forcing out new features nobody asked for (Liquid Glass? Come on….)

Even on my iPhone 16 Pro, 26.1 feels quite unpolished. It’s obviously a newer & more powerful device than my M1 iPad, but still…. I’m absolutely keeping 18.7 on my M4 iPad Pro….

Erase your ipad and start from fresh.

I have two 13” 2024 iPad Pros running right now. Both with internet speed of 5 gigs up and down. One sending a 53 gig ProRes video to YouTube that going to take a few minutes to upload. The other running a 4K 60 fps HRD livestream video to YouTube for the last 24 hours and the livestream will end in 1 day 5 hours.

Since the iPad 1 I have never had a problem with an iPad iOS upgrade/update.

no problems here with iOS 26.2

liligrace wrote:

Yes the most recent IOS updates have made my gen 9 15 month old iPad barely usable. I called apple care twice. The first person said there was no way to switch back. The second person said the updates enhanced performance. I’ve given up and am researching which android tablet would be best. I’ve only had apple products but I need a product that performs well.

Hello~ Any help here?

If your iPhone or iPad is running slow - Apple Support

Also could you describe your issues snd perhaps we can assist you?

~Katana-San~

Fusty Apple wrote:

Same here, I was searching online for info as fed up with the tardiness and unexpected quitting of apps since installing ios 26. etc. and didn't even know there was a new update as my settings icon usually tells me there's an update; I went into the software updates and there it was, waiting to be installed! All good...for now. ;-)

The update notification badge may not appear in device settings for a several days after initial release. So as to even-out the demand upon Apple's regional update servers, notifications are phased - with some devices seeing the notification before others.

You don't have to wait for the notification. You can, as now, request the update after its release.

SolomonAmanteng wrote:

I won’t to update it now

Whether or not you are able to update your iPad to a newer version of iOS/iPadOS will be dictated by the iPad model - and the currently installed version of iOS. You can find this information here:

Settings > General > About

Not sure which iPad you have? Identify your iPad model.

As of 29 September 2025, here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated:

32-bit devices (obsolete)

iPad1 - iOS 5.1.1

iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi+Cellular)

iPad4 - iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only), iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi+Cellular)

64-bit devices

iPad Air1*, iPad mini2* and iPad mini3* - iOS 12.5.7

iPad Air2*, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.8.5

iPad5*, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" 1st generation)* - iPadOS 16.7.12

iPad6, iPad Pro (10.5"/12.9" 2nd generation) - iPadOS 17.7.10

iPad7 - iPadOS 18.7.1

(*) obsolete

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 26.0.1, or optionally if running iPadOS 18.x to iPadOS 18.7.1

• iPad Pro 13" (M4)
• iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11" (1st generation and later + M4)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later + M2/M3)
• iPad (8th generation and later + A16)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later + A17 Pro)

If your iPad is not capable of update to a more recent version of iPadOS than is currently installed, should you wish to use Apps or services that require a higher version than your iPad is capable, your only option is to replace your iPad with a much newer or current model iPad.

If your iPad is capable of update to a more recent version of iOS/iPadOS than is currently installed, these support pages outline both the available methods by which the update can be performed - and troubleshooting should you experience difficulties:

Update your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch won’t update - Apple Support

iOS update and restore errors – Apple Support

Be aware that while an iPad may be capable of update, in some circumstances you may need to use a computer to perform the update*. To do so, you will need access to either a Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed - or the more recent Apple Devices App) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS). Ensure that your installed version of iTunes has been updated to the most recent version; the essential device drivers are included.

Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support

Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support

Update software on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch in iTunes on PC - Apple Support

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with the Finder - Apple Support

Apple Devices App (Windows PC):

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9np83lwlpz9k?hl=en-ms&gl=MS

(*) If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. Alternatively, the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) will be delighted to assist.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

If you have a beta profile installed, ensure this has been removed from your iPad - as, otherwise, installation of production software updates may be inhibited. This support page provides the necessary information to remove the beta from your iPad:

How to uninstall iOS beta software - Apple Support

You should note that for your iPad to install an available update, its battery must be charged to at least 50% capacity - and/or be connected to its Power Adapter. Similarly, the iPad can only be updated over a standard WiFi connection - or be updated by a PC or Mac using iTunes or Finder - over a USB connection.

I have been using iMazing for quite a while to backup my iDevices.

I used it the other day to reinstall iOS26.0.1 on my 11" M1 Pro that has become almost unusable after upgrading to iOS26. I'm sad to say that reinstalling iOS offered zero improvement whatsoever. :-(

Typically you’d be correct. Apple should long ago have released major announcements that; yes; some performance & battery impact is totally normal & expected for up to a few days after a significant iOS update. There’s indexing & all sorts of ??? That happens in the background.

Great.

Most of us here, from what I can gather, and certainly including myself, absolutely do NOT fall into that category.

I installed iPadOS 26 easily 1+ month ago. Any & all background services, indexing, optimization; whatever; should have long since been completed.

I pulled out my 11” M1 iPad just now & it still runs like total garbage vs. when it was on iOS 18. Of course I’ve rebooted many, MANY times; in fact I have a shortcut on my Home Screen of all my iDevices that I use to regularly (every few days / multiple times per week) reboot my iPhone, iPads, and my wife & kids’ iDevices.

Why can’t some people just admit & acknowledge that apple makes mistakes - they have objectively made many in the past - and they need to admit it when they do, and quickly roll out a fix?

All of us paid a LOT of money for these Apple products and there’s no way that during their extensive development & testing process, that not one single Apple test device didn't exhibit these exact problems.

I do not know, but can only imagine that for an almost trillion-dollar company, Apple must test major new iOS releases on hundreds, if not thousands or tens of thousands of iPads & iPhones. Rather; if I'm wrong and they do NOT do this; then there's a huge, gaping problem right there.

That said; I paid around $2k for my 11" M1 iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard + Apple Pencil and it's basically useless.

Thank goodness I wasn't stupid enough to deploy iOS 26 to my M4 13" or I'd be losing my mind.

I use my iPhone & iPad constantly & all day for work, then constantly at home for reading, entertainment, writing, etc. etc.

I love & constantly use my iPads which is why I'm so worked up about how awful iOS 26 has been.

Yes the most recent IOS updates have made my gen 9 15 month old iPad barely usable. I called apple care twice. The first person said there was no way to switch back. The second person said the updates enhanced performance. I’ve given up and am researching which android tablet would be best. I’ve only had apple products but I need a product that performs well.

Same here, I was searching online for info as fed up with the tardiness and unexpected quitting of apps since installing ios 26. etc. and didn't even know there was a new update as my settings icon usually tells me there's an update; I went into the software updates and there it was, waiting to be installed! All good...for now. ;-)

APPLE should know this ongoing delay of service is unacceptable on principle. i updated my ipad 5 days ago and am still experiencing issues. with all other applications closed there is a significant lag while using NOTES app. simply typing, there are delays between each individual letter as typed. my device is using less than half of its memory/storage, this is an APPLE issue that should not be downloaded onto users.

I have the same problem today after updating my iPad A16 from iPadOS 18 to 26. I have fixed with 4 steps below. In my case (iPad A16 & iPadOS 26), that's enough for fixing. I tested with 3D game Critical Strike, lag issue has gone. But if the problem is still not resolved, try again after a few days to let the OS finish processing background tasks. Good luck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6zwVuDJ9cw

IPadOS 26 has totally crippled my M1 iPad Pro, as with many here.

I would like to see if anyone else has any bright ideas that don't involve completely wiping & reinstalling the OS.

[Edited by Moderator]

Mine too. I have a 2024 M4 IPad Pro - very often the screen is unresponsive when I tap to select a contact to send a text message, to tap submit on certain forms, and many other locations. My ipad is almost unusable