What will ruin an iPad? - Darwin's Data

iPads are popular tablet devices made by Apple. They are designed to be portable, user-friendly, and versatile. However, there are some things that can negatively impact an iPad’s performance or even damage it. In this article, we will look at some of the main factors that can ruin an iPad and how to avoid them.

Table of Contents

Physical Damage

One of the most obvious ways an iPad can be ruined is through physical damage. iPads have glass screens that can easily crack or shatter if dropped onto a hard surface. The aluminum body can also dent or bend if subjected to pressure or impacts. Here are some common causes of physical damage:

Dropping the iPad, especially on a hard floor.

Sitting or stepping on the iPad.
Closing the iPad cover onto something that cracks the screen.
Having objects in the same bag as the iPad that scratch or dent it.

Exposing the iPad to extreme heat or cold.

To prevent physical damage:

Use a protective case and screen protector.

Be careful when carrying or using the iPad around the house.
Keep it away from heaters, AC vents, and direct sunlight in hot vehicles.
Don’t stack heavy objects on top of the iPad.

If your iPad already has some physical damage like a cracked screen, get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

Water Damage

iPads have sensitive internal electronics that can malfunction or short circuit when exposed to liquid. Some common sources of water damage include:

Using the iPad in the rain or near bodies of water.

Spilling drinks or other liquids on the iPad.
Dropping the iPad in the sink, bathtub, toilet, etc.
Washing the iPad under a faucet.

To keep your iPad safe from liquids:

Keep drinks away from the iPad.
Never use the iPad around sinks, tubs, pools, etc.

Dry your hands before handling the iPad.
Keep the iPad in a waterproof case or bag if taking it near water.

If your iPad does get wet, don’t try to turn it on. Dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth and allow it to sit powered off for at least 24 hours to ensure there is no lingering moisture inside.

Extreme Heat Exposure

Exposing an iPad to extreme heat can damage the battery, melt internal components, and cause performance issues. Some examples of heat damage include:

Leaving the iPad in direct sunlight on hot days.
Leaving the iPad in a hot car, especially in summer.

Exposing the iPad to open flames or other very high heat sources.

To prevent heat damage:

Don’t leave the iPad in cars on hot days.

Keep the iPad out of direct sunlight for extended periods.
Don’t use or store the iPad near sources of extreme heat like radiators or fires.

The iPad will normally shut down if it’s getting too hot. Don’t try to force it to turn on until it cools down.

Using Unofficial Chargers

Using lower quality, unofficial lightning cables and chargers can damage your iPad. Problems caused by unofficial chargers include:

Incorrect voltage/amperage frying components.
Cheap, flimsy cables deteriorating and exposing wires.

Short circuits and electric shock risks from poor insulation.

To avoid issues:

Only use Apple MFi (Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod) certified Lightning cables and chargers.

Avoid cheap knockoff cables or chargers, especially for fast charging.
Don’t use damaged cables where the wires are exposed.

Using official Apple cables and chargers may cost more but can save your iPad from damage.

Outdated, Incompatible Apps

Apps that aren’t optimized for your version of iPadOS can have compatibility issues or bugs that affect performance. Problems caused by outdated apps include:

Frequent crashing or freezing.
Display rendering issues.

Keyboard, touchscreen, or gesture problems.
Battery drain from inefficient background processes.
Stability issues and random reboots.

To avoid app compatibility problems:

Keep your apps updated to the latest versions.
Check app compatibility before updating your iPad’s iOS/iPadOS.

Remove outdated apps that aren’t optimized for your OS.
Don’t use iOS apps designed for iPhones on iPad.

Using the latest app versions designed for your specific iPad model provides the best experience.

Jailbreaking

Jailbreaking removes iPad software restrictions to allow unauthorized customizations. However, it also has downsides including:

Security vulnerabilities from lacking Apple protections.
Instability and crashes from incompatible jailbreak tweaks.

Bricking from failed jailbreak attempts.
Voided warranty since jailbreaking is unauthorized.

Additionally, jailbreak hacks and tweaks designed for older iOS versions may not work properly on newer iPad models. Jailbreaking is not recommended for most mainstream iPad users.

Excessive Pressure on the Screen

The iPad’s glass display panel can crack under excessive weight or pressure. This can happen if:

The iPad is in a bag with heavy objects pressing against it.
Objects are stacked or balanced on top of the iPad.

Too much downward pressure is applied on the screen surface.
Closing iPad covers or cases when objects are on the screen.

To prevent screen damage from pressure:

Don’t stack objects on your iPad.
Keep heavy objects away from iPads in bags.
Apply screen protectors properly to avoid bubbling and pressure points.

Keep the screen clear of objects before closing cases and covers.

Avoid applying concentrated force or weight on any part of the iPad’s screen.

Excessive Bending

While iPads are fairly durable, excessive bending force can damage the internal components or screens. Avoid:

Sitting or stepping on an iPad.
Keeping the iPad in back pockets and sitting on it.
Putting the iPad in bags with insufficient padding and protection.

Letting small children play with the iPad unsupervised.

Cases that reinforce the corners and edges can help prevent extreme bending. Avoid applying concentrated force on vulnerable points like the middle of the device.

Malware, Viruses and Hacking

Just like computers, iPads are also vulnerable to malware, viruses, and hacking attempts. Some ways this can happen include:

Visiting compromised websites that install malicious scripts.
Sideloading unchecked third-party apps from unofficial sources.
Opening email attachments from unknown senders.

Connecting to public WiFi networks that are unsecured.
Falling for phishing scams and revealing Apple ID/iCloud credentials.

To keep your iPad malware-free:

Keep your iPadOS version updated and apply security patches.
Only install apps from the official App Store.
Use secure and private WiFi networks when possible.

Don’t open suspicious emails or messages.
Enable two-factor authentication on your Apple ID.

Using trusted internet connections and avoiding sketchy downloads/links will help prevent iPad infections.

iPadOS Updates Causing Issues

While most iPadOS updates improve performance and fix bugs, sometimes new updates can introduce problems. Issues caused by problematic updates may include:

Decreased battery life from inefficient code.
App crashes and freezes not present in previous versions.

Interface bugs and UI lag.
Older models being sluggish on newer updates.

If an iPadOS update is causing issues, revert back to the previous version:

Connect the iPad to a computer.
Download the IPSW file for the older OS version.
Use iTunes or Finder to restore the iPad to the older OS.

As an alternative, wait for subsequent iPadOS patches that should resolve most major bugs.

Allowing the Battery to Drain Completely

Allowing the battery to fully discharge too often can reduce its overall lifespan and capacity over time. To maximize battery health:

Don’t let the iPad battery drain below 20% when possible.

Recharge the iPad before it shuts down from complete battery depletion.
Use lower heat settings when the battery is low.
Enable optimized battery charging to slow charging past 80%.

Keeping battery cycles in the mid-range of 20% to 80% will help prevent it from wearing out too quickly.

Using Inferior Quality Cables and Adapters

Low quality third-party cables and adapters can affect charging speeds, data transfers, and even damage connectors if loose or poorly constructed. Symptoms may include:

Very slow charging or even battery drainage.

Corrosion on connectors.
Interference with cabled data transfers.
Connectors overheating.

Use Apple certified cables, adapters, and docks for the best performance and safety:

MFi Lightning cables for USB transfers and syncing.
18W+ original Apple power adapters for fast charging.

Avoid $1 gas station cables that often skimp on quality and insulation.

Quality accessories certified by Apple are less likely to damage the iPad.

Failing to Perform Proper Maintenance

Like other electronics, iPads require periodic maintenance for optimal performance and longevity. Recommended maintenance includes:

Updates – Install iOS/iPadOS, app, and carrier updates promptly.
Backups – Regularly back up to iCloud or iTunes.
Cleaning – Gently clean the screen, ports, speakers, mics to remove dirt and debris.

Storage management – Offload unused apps and files taking up excessive space.
Battery monitoring – Watch for declining maximum capacity and lifespan.

Well-maintained iPads tend to have better resale value as well when selling or trading in old devices.

Extreme Storage Capacity Usage

While iPads have generous base storage tiers, fills up storage to 100% or close to it can cause performance issues:

Operating system lag from lack of free space.
Crashes and freezes when updating or installing new apps.

Persistent low storage notifications.
Inability to take photos, video, or make backups.

To avoid extreme storage consumption:

Stream music/video instead of local storage when possible.
Save photos/videos to the cloud instead of locally.
Remove apps not being used.

Offload large app data that isn’t critical.

Maintaining at least 10-20% free iPad storage helps performance and responsiveness.

Conclusion

iPads are very well built and designed to withstand normal wear and tear. However, excessive stress in certain areas can still result in hardware damage or performance issues. Avoiding the factors detailed in this guide will help increase the lifespan of your iPad. With proper care and maintenance, an iPad should provide many years of reliable use.