Just like anything, iPads need a bit of care and attention to keep them running at their best.
Refurbished iPads are a brilliant buy — they’re affordable, reliable, and far more sustainable than buying brand new. But if yours is starting to feel a little sluggish, don’t panic. You don’t need to rush out for an upgrade just yet.
From slow-loading apps to laggy browsing, a few small tweaks can make a big difference. Whether you use your iPad for work, streaming, or everyday browsing, these quick tips will help speed things up and keep everything ticking along nicely.
1. Restart your iPad regularly
Let’s start with the simplest fix of all. Restarting your iPad can clear out temporary files and background processes that may be slowing things down. Think of it like a quick digital spring clean for your device.
To try this:
Hold down the power button, swipe to power off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
2. Update to the latest iOS version
Apple’s updates don’t just bring new features, they often include performance improvements and bug fixes, too.
To check for updates:
Scroll to Settings > General > Software Update
Keeping your iPad up to date helps it run smoothly and securely.
3. Clear out unused apps and files
The more clutter on your iPad, the harder it must work, especially when storage is running low. A quick tidy-up can significantly improve performance. Here’s what to do:
- Delete any apps you no longer use
- Offload unused apps, they’ll remain in your library, but free up valuable space
- Clear out old files, photos, videos or downloads you no longer need
To check how much storage you’re using, scroll to Settings > General > iPad Storage.
4. Limit background activity
Some apps keep ticking away in the background, even when you’re not using them, quietly draining your battery and slowing things down.
To stop this go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
and switch to Off, or choose specific apps you don’t need running in the background.
Cutting down background activity can free up memory and make your iPad feel noticeably quicker.
5. Reduce motion and visual effects
iPads come with animations and effects that look funky, but can contribute to a sluggish performance, especially on older models.
To turn them off, click Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Reduce Motion > On
You can also go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle on Reduce Transparency for a more performance-friendly interface.
6. Free up RAM with a soft reset
If your iPad feels slow mid-task, a soft reset can help free up memory without a full restart:
- Press and hold the Power button until the “slide to power off” screen appears.
- Now press and hold the Home button (if your iPad has one) until the Home screen reappears.
If you don’t have a home button, just restart your iPad the usual way to clear things out.
7. Clear out Safari data
If you use Safari often, it can collect a lot of cached data over time, which may slow things down.
To clear Safari’s cache, click Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data
This can speed up browsing and free up some storage too.
Refurbished iPads are built to last, and with a few simple tweaks, yours can feel faster, smoother and more responsive. From clearing out clutter to adjusting a few settings, small changes can make a big difference to your everyday experience.
Thinking about an upgrade or adding a second device? The iOutlet has a wide range of expertly refurbished iPads. Each device comes with a free 12-month warranty, free UK delivery, and has been thoroughly tested to ensure it performs like new.
