Final Cut Pro on iPad Pro M5 freezes and overheats

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Level 2

184 points

Final Cut Pro on iPad Pro M5 freezes and overheats

I bought an 11-inch iPad Pro M5 last week and am using it as my main device instead of my MacBook Air M3 (16GB RAM, 512GB storage). I’m using Final Cut Pro on the iPad and tonight it happened to freeze (twice) after I added a clip downloaded from my Twitch account (about 3 GB) and a title for the intro; basically, I was trying to type in the title and it froze whilst the iPad overheated. For a product I’m loving for its display, audio and everything else, and which cost me a fair bit, I didn’t expect this. Has anyone else experienced Final Cut Pro on an iPad Pro M5 crashing on a project that wasn’t particularly complex? Thanks

Posted on Apr 17, 2026 2:52 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 18, 2026 3:25 AM in response to Birkhoff92

There may be something wrong with one of the videos or images that you imported. Now I seen that before. I either reimported the videos and images or found out which one was bad and didn’t use it.

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Answer 2

Apr 17, 2026 8:01 PM in response to Birkhoff92

Mmm I have FCP on my iPad no problems. The app is very intensive and can warm up the iPad. Make sure when running FCP the iPad is not laying on a flat surface. Roll up a washcloth and place it at the head of the iPad for airflow. Turn down the screen brightness. This will help with the iPad heating up. Use the app inside where there is AC. Other than that I have no further information to help you with.

if you feel the iPad is getting hot. Take a break shut the iPad down for 5-10 minutes. The good thing about FCP on the iPad if it crashes or the shuts down the iPad. You don’t loose what you worked on up to point of a crash or shut down.

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Answer 3

Birkhoff92 Author

Level 2

184 points

Apr 18, 2026 2:56 AM in response to David M Brewer

I always use it with the original Magic Keyboard, so I find it strange that it froze twice. Last week I edited a much more demanding video (ProRes HQ 4K, 60 GB) and didn't have any problems...... The only thing that's changed is the latest iPadOS update.

Thanks for the suggestions, anyway.

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