My iPad is slow and laggy after iPadOS 26 update

I updated to iOS 26. I didn't install any beta, just the official. one. And this iPad is lagging so much. It's not like it's freezing completely, but some animations are just clunky and uncomfortable to watch (exiting and entering apps). I don't know what to do. Should I go back to iOS 18? I don't even know how. Should I wait for Apple to release something to fix it?


[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: My iPad lags on iOS 26

iPad Air, iPadOS 26

Posted on Sep 16, 2025 7:38 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 16, 2025 10:39 AM

Or, just give it 3-4 days to finish indexing the files from the update that are being performed in the background. There is also optimizations work going on for your photos with object detection algorithms. Those background processes do consume CPU resources, but that should be completed shortly. Best to leave it plugged in when not in use.

67 replies

Oct 11, 2025 7:35 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

There are few, if any, bugs that affect absolutely all users and configurations. When a problem is reported widely, it is a safe bet that there is some general issue, and the universal common factor is the OS. One of the reasons that tech support often asks for system logs is to search for other common factors.

But the fact that not everyone is affected or affected the same way, doesn't rule out OS issues.

Oct 11, 2025 1:30 PM in response to Domins

Dear Apple Support Team,


I hope this message finds you well.


I am writing to request the re-enablement of iOS 18 signing for my device. My iPad model is iPad13,18 (10th generation Wi-Fi). After updating to iPadOS 26.1, my device has become significantly slower. Despite several days passing, the performance has not improved. Additionally, my iPad has 4GB of RAM, which is not sufficient for the smooth operation of iOS 26.1.


Therefore, I would like to request the possibility to downgrade back to iOS 18, as it was previously signed and is still available via OTA. I kindly ask for your assistance in re-enabling the signing for iOS 18 for my device.


Thank you very much for your support and understanding.


Best regards,

[reza]

[rez*****hi@gmail.com]

[L7N***65]


[Edited by Moderator]

Oct 11, 2025 5:47 PM in response to Domins

Same problem here as others seem to be experiencing … iPadOS 26 has made Safari on my M1 iPad Pro completely ususable. Has been weeks since I installed it, numerous restarts, turned of the animations a long time ago, turned off private relay, etc.


On the plus side, I do get a bit of nostalgia from my web browsing experience now being more or less what it was in 1997 on a 4800 baud dial-up modem.


Truly bizarre that Apple thought this was ok to release.





Nov 12, 2025 2:41 PM in response to LotusPilot

I have the same problem after updating to OSI 26.01 and then 26.1 I feel like my IPad Pro that I’m using 1990’s dial up some take eons to open some won’t open at all after waiting 2 minutes. Never had this problem before and my IPad Pro has only 256GB. I tried restarting the IPad didn’t make a difference. Update 26.01still had the same issues as previous guy and when I updated to 26.1 the problem only got worse. Apple when are you going to fix the problem?

im not updating my Mac Book Pro which has no problems w the web and opening sites and until Apple fixes the problem I’m not updating it at all. My second IPad only has update 26.01. I’ve changed to manual updating b/c I don’t want the problem to get any worse.

My iPad is slow and laggy after iPadOS 26 update

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