My new iPad Air 2026 battery drains very quickly even during light use.I mainly use the device only for taking notes at school, so I don’t do anything demanding on it.
I compared it with an iPad A16 (2025), and during one hour of the same usage my battery dropped by 22%, while the other iPad only lost 6%.
(iPadOS 26.4.2)
iPad Air (M4, 2026)
Begin with updating your iPad to the most recent version of iPadOS. At the of writing, iPadOS 26.5 is current - and includes many fixes and essential security updates for your iPad.
Having updated your iPad, if your iPad is not operating as expected, try a forced-restart - as this will often clear an isolated or post-update 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:
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:
Begin with updating your iPad to the most recent version of iPadOS. At the of writing, iPadOS 26.5 is current - and includes many fixes and essential security updates for your iPad.
Having updated your iPad, if your iPad is not operating as expected, try a forced-restart - as this will often clear an isolated or post-update 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:
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:
If you have ill-advisedly installed any aftermarket "security" or "cleaning/optimization" apps, including client-side† VPNs, you are seeing expected interference. None of those give enough benefit to overcome the extra load they place on your iPad. Extra load = shorter battery run time. Period.
Also be aware that the latest iPad Air has different battery specifications than the A16, so that is comparing apples to wallabies.
† — "client-side" VPNs are those NOT issued to you by an employer to allow remote access to company servers. Ratehr, they are instead the ones over-hyped in adverts using fear marketing.
iPad Air M4 2026 battery drains quickly during light use
