User profile for user: iOShousehold
iOShousehold Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

iPad Air 1st Gen not actively charging despite gaining battery percentage

My 1st Gen iPad Air has been dead in a cupboard for a year or so. Plugged it in last night, did a factory reset, iOS is up to date, charging port is free of debris, and I am using a new Apple cable and block. The iPad is gaining battery percentage, but is not showing that it is actively charging. It's gone from 12% to 25% in about 24 hours. I have tried other outlets, and I seem to be getting the same result.


Could this be a bad battery or a bad charging port?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: 1st Gen iPad Air

Posted on Dec 4, 2025 4:10 PM

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User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
301,424 points

Posted on Dec 4, 2025 4:30 PM

Given your description and the age of the iPad, it is almost certain that the battery has failed due to deep discharge - this being a condition from which the battery is unlikely to recover.


Your iPad Air1 is obsolete. Apple no longer provides any hardware or repair support.


While you might consider having the battery replaced by a third-party repair shop, be aware that battery replacement will unavoidably reset/erase the iPad. Any third-party Apps installed on the iPad that you wish to continue using would need to be reinstalled from the Apple App Store - if still available.


The iPad itself cannot be updated beyond iOS 12.5.7 (at the time of writing, iPadOS 26.1 is current). Relatively few Apps remain available for such an old version of iOS.


General consensus within the Apple Support Community will be to advise against spending any money whatsoever in attempting to revive an obsolete device. You would be best advised to put whatever money that you might have considered spending towards a much newer or current model iPad.


If your iPad remains useable while connected to its Power Adapter, the iPad may still provide some, if limited, ongoing utility.

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User profile for user: LotusPilot
LotusPilot
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
301,424 points

Dec 4, 2025 4:30 PM in response to iOShousehold

Given your description and the age of the iPad, it is almost certain that the battery has failed due to deep discharge - this being a condition from which the battery is unlikely to recover.


Your iPad Air1 is obsolete. Apple no longer provides any hardware or repair support.


While you might consider having the battery replaced by a third-party repair shop, be aware that battery replacement will unavoidably reset/erase the iPad. Any third-party Apps installed on the iPad that you wish to continue using would need to be reinstalled from the Apple App Store - if still available.


The iPad itself cannot be updated beyond iOS 12.5.7 (at the time of writing, iPadOS 26.1 is current). Relatively few Apps remain available for such an old version of iOS.


General consensus within the Apple Support Community will be to advise against spending any money whatsoever in attempting to revive an obsolete device. You would be best advised to put whatever money that you might have considered spending towards a much newer or current model iPad.


If your iPad remains useable while connected to its Power Adapter, the iPad may still provide some, if limited, ongoing utility.

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iPad Air 1st Gen not actively charging despite gaining battery percentage

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