Why Old iPads Don’t Let You Check Battery Health (And How You Can Do It Anyway)

Unlike iPhones, iPads took a little longer to offer users the ability to check their battery health. Although the company has never explained why, it’s possible that since the iPad isn’t used as much as the iPhone, most people either didn’t care or were simply unaware of their tablet’s battery degradation. Additionally, the iPad has a larger battery than the iPhone, which means the iPad can, in theory, last longer on a single charge than the company’s smartphones. While Apple has allowed users to check battery health in later versions of the iPad, those with older models still have two possible ways to check battery life: through a third-party app or by calling Apple Support.

For owners of iPad Pro M4, iPad Air M2, iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad (A16) or newer, Apple offers a fairly consistent and easy way to check battery health and history. In iPad Settings, go to Battery to see when it was last charged, your current battery life, and your daily usage. You can even tap Battery Status to access key information, such as whether the battery is working as expected, its maximum capacity, number of cycles, whether you want to set an 80% charge limit, and when the battery was first manufactured and used.

If you have an iPad model older than the versions listed above, you have two options: download a third-party app like CoconutBattery for macOS or call Apple Support. According to Apple community members, the best way to do this without additional software is to contact Apple Support, explain the problem with your iPad’s battery (e.g. it doesn’t hold a charge, takes forever to charge, or whatever) and request a remote battery diagnostic. This will show you the details of your iPad’s battery and help you decide if it’s time to replace the battery or, sometimes, even upgrade to a newer tablet.

If that’s not ideal, you can download third-party software like CoconutBattery. With this app you can check the current status of your battery not only on your iPad but also on your Mac and iPhone. After downloading the software and connecting the iPad via a USB-C port, you can see details about the battery charge, the current battery status, the actual amount of charge, the number of cycles completed, and even the current battery temperature.

With Plus or Lifetime purchases, users can also get detailed information about iPhone/iPad battery details in the Mac menu bar, Wi-Fi support, battery life analysis, advanced SSD and other component stats viewer, custom print templates, and in-app notifications.

I am in favor of using technology products however you want. There are several tips from people saying that you should limit the charge to 80% and keep the iPad within a specific range. However, I think if you bought something as expensive as an Apple tablet, you want to use it, and it should have a battery so you can take advantage of its features whenever you want. That being said, the things you can actually do to improve your tablet’s battery health are pretty simple.

For example, using original or reliable cables and power supplies, like new options from Apple or Beats, avoiding direct sunlight or extreme weather conditions, and keeping the tablet up to date are among the best ways to ensure its longer lifespan.

Other small features that can help include avoiding leaving the iPad with the screen on when not in use, using a stable Wi-Fi connection when the iPad has cellular capabilities, and, if connectivity is poor in the area you’re in, simply turn on Airplane Mode. Prioritize Apple accessories, like the Magic Keyboard or Apple Pencil Pro, and use wireless headphones over wired ones, as the USB-C port uses more power than AirPods. That said, by following these simple tips and tricks, you will have a better experience with your tablet while actually using it.