I recently updated my iPad to 26.5, but it is really laggy, and I don’t like the layout. Is there a way to restore the previous version without a Mac/laptop or wiping my iPad completely?
iPad Pro, iPadOS 26
Perhaps you refer to iPadOS 26.1 (at the time of writing, the most recent production release of iPadOS). Rolling-back to an earlier version of iOS/iPadOS is not possible. If you have installed a beta version, you can restore the most recent production version, however, this will unavoidably erase all locally stored data from your iPad.
All System Updates are digitally signed by Apple - and can only be installed whilst the digital signatures remain valid. After release of a new iOS/iPadOS version, the immediately preceding version continues to be digitally signed by Apple - however, usually within a few days, Apple will revoke the digital certificate with which the earlier version is signed.
Perhaps consider that iOS/iPadOS updates include both functional and essential security updates. Restoring an earlier version of the OS would undermine the security of your device and your personal data.
Be aware that restoring an iPad to factory settings will fully re-install the most recent version of iPadOS supported by your iPad model - and will, by definition, fully erase the iPad in the process. While the iPad is fully reset, you can restore your iCloud or iTunes backup if you have taken the [sensible] steps to create the backup. That said, you can only restore a backup to the same or more recent version of iPadOS; you can't restore a backup to an earlier version of iPadOS than created or most recently updated the backup.
Perhaps you refer to iPadOS 26.1 (at the time of writing, the most recent production release of iPadOS). Rolling-back to an earlier version of iOS/iPadOS is not possible. If you have installed a beta version, you can restore the most recent production version, however, this will unavoidably erase all locally stored data from your iPad.
All System Updates are digitally signed by Apple - and can only be installed whilst the digital signatures remain valid. After release of a new iOS/iPadOS version, the immediately preceding version continues to be digitally signed by Apple - however, usually within a few days, Apple will revoke the digital certificate with which the earlier version is signed.
Perhaps consider that iOS/iPadOS updates include both functional and essential security updates. Restoring an earlier version of the OS would undermine the security of your device and your personal data.
Be aware that restoring an iPad to factory settings will fully re-install the most recent version of iPadOS supported by your iPad model - and will, by definition, fully erase the iPad in the process. While the iPad is fully reset, you can restore your iCloud or iTunes backup if you have taken the [sensible] steps to create the backup. That said, you can only restore a backup to the same or more recent version of iPadOS; you can't restore a backup to an earlier version of iPadOS than created or most recently updated the backup.
If you upgraded to the official iPadOS 26.1, a downgrade to iPadOS 18 is not supported.
In case you have installed Beta software on your device, you can downgrade to the latest official version:
How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software - Apple Support
Is there a way to restore previous versions?
