iPadOS 26.3.1 (23D8133) bricking my ipad.
My ipad worked fine until ios26. Safari freezes and crashes constantly. Settings will just show a black screen forcing me to close and reopen several times. It has slowed my ipad so significantly i’m considering restoring an old backup and losing whatever photos i took before this “update”. Less than 41GB used of the 250 available.
The team that pushed this out needs to be fired.
iPad, iPadOS 26
Having updated my iPad and iPhone to iPadOS/iOS 26.3.1, I have not encountered any stability issues.
Restoring a pre-existing iCloud or iTunes backup will restore your data and settings. Restoring the backup will not reinstate an earlier version of iPadOS.
If your iPad is not operating as expected, try a forced-restart - as this will often clear an isolated software issue:
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:
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 - which will install a fresh copy of the most recent version of iPadOS that is supported by your iPad:
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:
Having updated my iPad and iPhone to iPadOS/iOS 26.3.1, I have not encountered any stability issues.
Restoring a pre-existing iCloud or iTunes backup will restore your data and settings. Restoring the backup will not reinstate an earlier version of iPadOS.
If your iPad is not operating as expected, try a forced-restart - as this will often clear an isolated software issue:
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:
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 - which will install a fresh copy of the most recent version of iPadOS that is supported by your iPad:
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:
Any add-on VPN apps, or add-on security or privacy apps installed here? If so, remove all, restart, and test again.
A reinstall is reasonable here too, but it won’t revert iOS. It might resolve any latent corruptions, however.
It’s also quite possible the iPad hardware is failing.
Restoring from a previous backup will not restore the previous version of iPadOS to the device. The backup is of your app, documents and data.
You can not revert to a previous version of iPadOS as Apple does not allow this. Once you have updated iPadOS, there is NO going back.
Have you tried the most basic, easiest and common possible fix? Even though the page linked to below specifies this is for "If your iPad won't turn on or is frozen", the same procedure applies for common quirkiness and odd issues. It's always worth it to try this procedure before anything. Your settings & data will NOT be affected.
As far as firing the team that pushed this update, you are not addressing Apple here, you are addressing fellow Apple users such as yourself. If you want to voice your opinion, address Apple at the link below.
The team must have tested 26.3.1 for my type of iPad, no problem here.
iPadOS 26.3.1 (23D8133) bricking my ipad.
