The Auckland Guide to Common iPad Faults & What to Do About Them

The iPad is one of those devices that quietly becomes indispensable. Students use them for note-taking and assignments. Businesses run point-of-sale systems on them. Families have them propped on kitchen benches for recipes and video calls. Creative professionals use them for illustration and design. And then something goes wrong — a cracked screen, a battery that won’t last the day, an Apple Pencil that suddenly ignores the screen — and the disruption is bigger than people expect, because the iPad had become part of the daily routine.

At Advanced Computers, we repair iPads regularly at our Auckland workshops. As a verified Apple Independent Repair Provider with individually Apple-certified technicians, we work across the full iPad range — from older iPad minis brought in by parents through to current-generation iPad Pros used by designers and architects.

This guide is for anyone trying to understand what’s going wrong with their iPad before deciding what to do about it. It’s not a booking page — that’s our iPad repair service page. It’s a plain-English explanation of the most common problems we see, what causes them, and what your options are.

We regularly serve iPad customers from across Auckland as a part of our Apple repair services — Rosedale, Penrose, the North Shore, CBD, Takapuna, Manukau, Henderson, East Auckland, and beyond.

1. Which iPad Do You Have?

Before we get into faults and fixes, this is worth a moment of your time — because it’s something we ask every customer when they come in, and the answer affects almost everything else: which model do you have, and which connector does it use?

iPad model variation is enormous. Apple has sold iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro models across multiple generations for over a decade, and they differ significantly in screen size, repairability, parts cost, and which connector they use. A repair that costs a modest amount on an older iPad mini can cost considerably more on a current iPad Pro with a laminated Mini-LED display.

The Quickest Way to Identify Your iPad

Go to Settings → General → About → Model Name. This will tell you exactly which iPad you have — for example, “iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)” or “iPad Air (4th generation).”

Alternatively, the model number is printed in small text on the back of the iPad. You can enter this at apple.com/nz to identify the device.

Lightning vs USB-C: Why It Matters

One of the most practical things to know is which connector your iPad uses:

Lightning port (the smaller, oval-shaped connector): found on iPad models up to the iPad 9th generation, iPad mini up to the 5th generation, and iPad Air up to the 3rd generation. If your iPad is a few years old and uses the same cable as an older iPhone, it’s Lightning.

USB-C port (the slightly larger, rounded rectangle): found on all iPad Pro models, iPad Air from the 4th generation onwards, iPad mini 6th generation, and iPad 10th generation onwards. If your iPad uses the same cable as a MacBook or Android phone, it’s USB-C.

This matters for charging accessories, data transfer, and what we look for when diagnosing charging problems. It’s worth knowing before you come in.

2. Screen & Digitiser Damage

The short answer: A cracked iPad screen isn’t always just the glass. If touch response has changed or you see display damage underneath, the digitiser layer is affected — a different and more involved repair. Screen replacement cost also varies significantly by iPad model and screen size.

What’s Actually Happening

An iPad screen consists of two functional layers working together. The outer layer is the glass — what you touch and what cracks when the iPad falls. Underneath that is the digitiser, which is the touch-sensitive layer that detects your finger (and your Apple Pencil). Beneath that is the display itself, which produces the image you see.

On older and more affordable iPad models, there’s a small air gap between the glass and the display beneath it. This makes them easier and less expensive to repair when only the glass is damaged. On iPad Pro models and some newer iPad Air models, the glass, digitiser, and display are fused together in a laminated assembly — similar to high-end iPhones. This produces a better viewing experience, but means that a cracked glass typically requires replacing the entire laminated unit, which increases repair cost.

Understanding which type of screen your iPad has is one of the first things we establish at Advanced Computers — because it directly affects the iPad screen repair approach and the price.

What Causes It

iPads are larger and often used in ways that make them more vulnerable to drops than iPhones — propped up at an angle, handed to children, carried without cases, or used as a shared surface in busy homes and workplaces. The larger the screen, the more surface area is exposed and the more dramatic the result of a drop on a hard floor.

We also see damage from:

• iPads being sat on, particularly when left on sofas or beds
• Heavy items placed on top of iPads in bags
• Children’s tablets that have lived a full and eventful life
• Thermal stress on older iPads left in direct sun

The Digitiser vs the Display

It’s worth distinguishing between these, because they affect what you experience:

Glass crack with intact digitiser and display: The screen is cracked to look at, but touch still works normally and the image is clear. This is the least urgent scenario, though we’d still recommend addressing it before the crack spreads or the digitiser is affected secondarily.

Cracked glass with digitiser damage: Touch response is unreliable — areas of the screen don’t register touches, respond in the wrong place, or register phantom touches with nothing touching the screen. This is more urgent, particularly if the iPad is used for work or school.

Display damage: Black patches spreading from the crack, lines on the screen, flickering, or sections of the display going dark. The display panel itself has been damaged. This requires replacing the full screen assembly.

Warning Signs to Watch For

• Visible cracks in the glass, particularly radiating from a corner or edge
• Areas of the screen that don’t register touch, or respond in unexpected locations
• Phantom touches — the iPad responding as though it’s being touched when it isn’t
• Black patches or spreading dark areas on the display
• Lines, flickering, or colour distortion
• The Apple Pencil stops working in certain areas of the screen (digitiser damage)
• The screen lifts slightly at an edge — this can indicate a swollen battery pushing from underneath

What You Can Do

If the crack is purely cosmetic and touch is working normally, a good quality screen protector can prevent the crack from spreading and protect the digitiser from secondary damage. Handle the iPad carefully in the interim and keep it away from water — a cracked screen on an iPad that already has limited water resistance offers essentially none.

If touch has been affected, try a restart first. Occasionally, what seems like digitiser damage is actually a software glitch, and a restart resolves it. If the problem persists after a restart, the digitiser has been physically damaged.

When to Bring It In

Any time touch response has been affected, bring it in to Advanced Computers. Digitiser damage can progress — what starts as one unresponsive zone can spread as the crack widens. For iPads used in schools or businesses, a cracked but functional screen is often lower priority, but we can advise on urgency based on the specific crack pattern.

3. Battery Degradation

The short answer: iPad batteries degrade over time like all lithium cells — but the “always plugged in” usage pattern that many iPads live in actually accelerates this. If your iPad struggles to hold charge or drains faster than it used to, battery replacement is a standard repair.

What’s Actually Happening

iPad batteries are lithium-ion cells — the same technology as iPhones and laptops — and they lose capacity with every charge cycle. Apple specifies that iPad batteries are designed to retain 80% of their original capacity after 1,000 charge cycles under normal conditions. That’s better than iPhones (500 cycles) because iPad batteries are physically larger and experience fewer full charge cycles per day.

However — and this is something we see frequently at our Auckland workshops — the way many iPads are used works against their batteries in a specific way.

The Always-Plugged-In Problem

iPhones live in pockets and bags and get unplugged regularly throughout the day. iPads often live somewhere fixed — on a kitchen bench, a coffee table, a work desk, a reception counter, a retail POS system — and stay plugged in almost continuously.

Keeping a lithium battery consistently at or near 100% charge is actually a source of stress on the cell. The battery doesn’t just sit there happily fully charged — it remains in a slightly elevated state that, over months and years, causes it to degrade faster than one that cycles regularly between 20% and 80%.

This is why we sometimes see business iPads — used as point-of-sale systems or customer-facing kiosks — with significantly degraded batteries after only two or three years, despite relatively light screen use. The battery wasn’t being used much, but it was being stressed by being held at full charge continuously.

Checking battery health in Settings → Battery → Battery Health is worth doing on any iPad that lives plugged in, particularly if it’s been in that role for more than two years.

Other Causes of Battery Issues

• Heat — an iPad charging while being used heavily (video streaming, gaming) generates heat that accelerates battery wear; an iPad left on a car dashboard in direct sun is particularly harmful
• Cheap or uncertified chargers — particularly an issue when used with USB-C iPads, where charger quality has a more direct effect on charging current
• Age — on older iPads (five-plus years), battery degradation may have reached the point where replacement is the only practical solution to poor run time

Swollen Batteries on iPads

A swollen battery is more visually obvious on an iPad than on an iPhone, because the larger, flatter form factor means the screen assembly is the first thing the swelling pushes against. If your iPad’s screen appears to be slightly raised at one corner or edge, or if there’s a gap between the glass and the frame that wasn’t there before, a swelling battery is a likely cause. This should be treated promptly — bring it in rather than continuing to use it.

Warning Signs to Watch For

• iPad runs out of battery noticeably faster than it used to
• Battery percentage drops unpredictably or jumps erratically
• iPad shuts off before reaching 0%
• “Service Recommended” notice in Battery Health settings
• iPad runs warm even during light use
• Screen appears raised or separated from the frame at any edge
• iPad will only function when plugged in

What You Can Do

If your iPad lives permanently plugged in, try giving it a weekly cycle — let it run down to around 20%, then charge it back up fully. Some newer iPads allow you to set a charging limit; check Settings → Battery for available options on your model.

Avoid charging while using processor-intensive apps, and keep the iPad out of hot environments while charging.

When to Bring It In

If Battery Health shows “Service Recommended,” or if run time has dropped significantly from what it once was, iPad battery replacement at Advanced Computers is worth considering — particularly for iPads that are otherwise in good condition. For business-use iPads, we’d suggest proactively checking battery health annually rather than waiting for failure.

4. Liquid Damage

The short answer: Unlike iPhones, most iPads have no water resistance rating at all. If your iPad gets wet — even briefly — treat it as seriously as you would any unprotected electronic device. Turn it off, don’t charge it, and bring it in promptly.

iPad just got wet? Do this now:

1. Pick it up and dry the exterior — lay it flat and wipe off surface moisture with a soft cloth.

2. Do NOT charge it — putting power through a wet device causes immediate short-circuit damage.

3. Turn it off — press and hold the power button and slide to power off.

4. Do NOT put it in rice — this accomplishes nothing useful and wastes critical time.

5. Bring it to Advanced Computers as soon as you can — same-day is significantly better than next-day.

The IP Rating Gap Most iPad Users Don’t Know About

This is one of the most important things in this guide, because it surprises a lot of people:

Most iPads have no water resistance rating whatsoever.

Unlike iPhones — which have carried IP67 or IP68 ratings since the iPhone 7 — the majority of iPads in use today have no formal ingress protection. There are no seals, no internal waterproofing design features, and no IP rating. Even a modest splash directly into the charging port or speaker grille can cause damage.

Only very recent iPad Pro models carry a limited IP rating, and even there, the protection is modest compared to current-generation iPhones — and Apple’s warranty still explicitly excludes liquid damage regardless of IP rating.

This matters practically because iPads live in environments where liquid exposure is relatively common: kitchens, bathrooms, poolside, schools where bottles of water are never far away. Many owners assume their iPad has the same liquid resilience as their iPhone. It doesn’t.

What Causes It

• Drinks knocked over near a kitchen counter iPad
• Children using tablets near the bath or sink
• Rain on an iPad being used outdoors
• Condensation from a cold iPad brought into a warm, humid environment
• Cleaning the screen with a damp cloth that’s too wet, allowing moisture into the edges

Why Acting Quickly Matters

As with our iPhone guides — the damage from liquid isn’t necessarily immediate. It happens when moisture and electricity meet. The longer the iPad stays on after a spill, the further potential damage spreads. And even when switched off, corrosion develops on the circuit board over the hours and days following exposure.

We’ve successfully recovered iPads brought to our Rosedale and Penrose workshops the same day as a liquid incident. We’ve also had to deliver difficult news to customers who arrived three or four days later, having tried the rice method, with significant corrosion developed across the board in the interim.

Warning Signs After Liquid Exposure

• Touchscreen behaving erratically — unresponsive areas or phantom touches
• Display showing lines, discolouration, or a greenish tint (moisture behind the display)
• Speaker sounding muffled or distorted
• Charging port showing a “liquid detected” warning (on USB-C iPad models)
• Camera producing fogged or hazy images
• iPad won’t turn on
• Intermittent shutdowns after seeming to recover initially

5. Apple Pencil Problems

The short answer: If your Apple Pencil stopped working after a screen replacement, the most likely cause is a poor-quality screen that isn’t properly compatible with Pencil input. This is one of the most important reasons to use an Apple-certified repairer for iPad screen repairs.

What’s Actually Happening

The Apple Pencil doesn’t work like a basic stylus. It communicates with the iPad’s digitiser using a combination of pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, and low-latency tracking — technology built into the screen assembly itself. For this to work correctly, the digitiser in the replacement screen must be fully compatible with the Pencil’s communication protocol, and calibrated to the iPad’s hardware.

When a screen replacement is performed using a poor-quality screen — one whose digitiser isn’t manufactured to Apple’s specifications — Apple Pencil functionality is frequently compromised. This can manifest as the Pencil not registering at all, working inconsistently, losing pressure sensitivity, or producing lines with lag or wobble that weren’t there before.

For students, architects, illustrators, and anyone who relies on the Pencil for their work, this is a significant problem.

Which Apple Pencil Do You Have?

There are currently three generations of Apple Pencil, and they’re not interchangeable:

Apple Pencil (1st generation) — works with older iPad models (iPad 6th–10th gen and older iPad minis, iPad Airs). Charges via a Lightning connector that plugs directly into the iPad’s Lightning port. If your Apple Pencil has a cap on one end, it’s 1st generation.

Apple Pencil (2nd generation) — works with iPad Pro (3rd generation and later), iPad Air (4th generation and later), and iPad mini (6th generation). Attaches and charges magnetically on the flat side of the iPad. No cap, no plug.

Apple Pencil (USB-C) — the newest generation, compatible with iPad Pro (USB-C), iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad mini (7th generation), and iPad (10th generation). Charges via USB-C.

Knowing which Pencil and which iPad you have is important when diagnosing compatibility issues.

Other Causes of Apple Pencil Problems

• Worn tip — the replaceable tip on the Apple Pencil wears down with use. A flattened or damaged tip directly affects pressure sensitivity and can cause inaccurate drawing. Apple Pencil replacement tips are inexpensive and widely available.
• Low Pencil battery — the Apple Pencil has its own internal battery. If it hasn’t been charged (or hasn’t been attached to the iPad for pairing), it won’t respond. Check the battery level by connecting it to the iPad.
• Pairing lost — occasionally the Pencil loses its Bluetooth pairing. Re-attach it to the iPad’s connector or magnetic surface to re-pair.
• iPadOS software issue — a force restart of the iPad resolves occasional Pencil responsiveness glitches that aren’t hardware-related.
• Screen protector interference — some thick or poorly designed screen protectors affect Pencil sensitivity. Try removing the protector to test.
• Digitiser damage — a cracked screen with digitiser damage will affect Pencil response in specific areas corresponding to the damage.

Warning Signs to Watch For

• Pencil doesn’t register at all on the screen
• Pencil only works in certain areas of the screen
• Lines appear jagged, delayed, or don’t follow the Pencil tip accurately
• Pressure sensitivity doesn’t work — lines are all the same width regardless of how hard you press
• Pencil worked before a screen replacement and stopped after
• Palm rejection stops working — the screen registers your hand as input while using the Pencil

When to Bring It In

If Pencil problems started after a screen replacement performed elsewhere, bring the iPad and Pencil to Advanced Computers. In many cases, the screen needs to be replaced with a correctly specced digitiser — something our Apple-certified technicians can assess and quote for. We’ll also check whether the Pencil itself is a factor.

If Pencil problems appeared without a screen replacement, we’ll diagnose whether the issue is the Pencil, the digitiser, the iPad’s software, or a combination.

6. Touch ID & Face ID on iPad

The short answer: Which biometric your iPad uses depends on its model. Like iPhones, these components are paired to the device’s main board — incorrect replacement permanently disables them.

Which Does Your iPad Have?

This varies considerably across the iPad range, which is another reason knowing your model matters:

Face ID: Found on iPad Pro models from the 3rd generation (2018) onwards. Uses the same TrueDepth camera system as Face ID iPhones, and carries the same pairing implications — an incorrectly performed screen replacement can permanently disable Face ID. The same screen replacement considerations that apply to Face ID iPhones apply equally here.

Touch ID in the side button: Found on iPad Air from the 4th generation, iPad mini 6th generation, and iPad 10th generation. The fingerprint sensor is built into the power button on the top or side of the device. This component is paired to the main board and cannot be replaced by a third party while retaining Touch ID functionality.

Touch ID in the Home button: Found on older iPad models and older iPad mini and iPad Air generations. The Home button is paired to the device — the same as older iPhones. A replacement Home button from a third party will function as a button but will not support Touch ID.

What Causes Biometric Failure

• Physical damage from a drop — impact can damage the TrueDepth camera array (Face ID) or the fingerprint sensor (Touch ID)
• Liquid damage — moisture reaching these components
• Incorrect screen replacement — for Face ID iPads, the same risk applies as with iPhones
• Software glitch — occasionally Face ID or Touch ID fails to recognise due to a software issue rather than hardware; re-enrolling in Settings usually resolves this
• Dirty sensor — Touch ID in the side button can become unreliable if the sensor is dirty or if a case or screen protector is partially covering it

7. Smart Keyboard & Magic Keyboard Issues

The short answer: Most iPad keyboard issues are accessory problems, not iPad problems. Before assuming the iPad itself is faulty, there are a few things worth checking on the keyboard and connector.

What’s Actually Happening

iPad Pro and iPad Air models support Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio and Magic Keyboard accessories. These connect via the Smart Connector — a small magnetic port on the side of the iPad, not a cable — and don’t require Bluetooth pairing or charging. It’s an elegant system, but it has its own quirks.

Most of the keyboard complaints we see at Advanced Computers turn out to be accessory issues rather than iPad faults. That said, the Smart Connector on the iPad itself can occasionally be the culprit.

Common Causes of Keyboard Problems

Dirty Smart Connector: The three small dots on the side of the iPad that make contact with the keyboard can accumulate dirt, skin oils, and debris over time. A dry, lint-free cloth to clean both the iPad’s connector and the corresponding contacts on the keyboard resolves many connection problems.

Keyboard/iPad alignment: The Magic Keyboard’s connection is sensitive to how squarely the iPad is seated in the folio. If the iPad has been placed at a slight angle, the connection can be intermittent.

Software issue: A force restart of the iPad resolves occasional keyboard glitches — particularly the keyboard suddenly not registering certain keys, or the trackpad behaving erratically.

Damaged Smart Connector: If the connector on the iPad itself has been bent, corroded (from liquid exposure), or physically damaged, the keyboard will connect unreliably or not at all. This is an iPad-side repair rather than a keyboard issue.

Damaged keyboard: The keyboard accessory itself can fail — individual keys can stop responding, the trackpad can become inaccurate, or the internal connection can degrade. If the keyboard doesn’t work with a second compatible iPad but the iPad works with a second compatible keyboard, the keyboard is the problem.

iPadOS compatibility: Apple occasionally releases iPad keyboard updates as part of iPadOS. Keeping iPadOS up to date is worth doing if keyboard behaviour changed after an update.

When to Bring It In

If cleaning the connectors, restarting the iPad, and testing with a second keyboard (where possible) doesn’t resolve the issue, bring the iPad in. We’ll establish whether the fault is the iPad’s Smart Connector, a software issue, or the keyboard accessory itself — and advise accordingly.

8. Software & iPadOS Issues

The short answer: A surprising number of iPad problems that feel like hardware faults are software issues. A force restart resolves many of them without any repair work needed.

Common Software Problems We See

Frozen or unresponsive iPad: The screen is on but doesn’t respond to touch, or the iPad appears completely frozen. Almost always a software issue.

App crashing repeatedly: A specific app or apps crash on launch or during use. Usually an app-side issue or an iPadOS compatibility problem — try deleting and reinstalling the app, and check for updates.

iPadOS update stuck or failing: The update downloads but won’t install, or the iPad gets stuck on the Apple logo during an update. More common on iPads with nearly full storage — freeing up space often resolves it.

Split View or Stage Manager behaving oddly: iPad’s multitasking features can occasionally glitch after an update. A restart usually resolves this.

Home screen reset after update: App icons rearranged or widgets disappeared after an iPadOS update. A known occurrence on some updates — your data is fine, it’s a display arrangement issue.

How to Force Restart Your iPad

As with iPhones, a force restart bypasses the operating system and resolves software issues that a normal restart won’t touch. It causes no data loss.

iPad with Face ID (iPad Pro, 2018 and later): Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears.

iPad with Touch ID in the side button (iPad Air 4th gen+, iPad mini 6th gen, iPad 10th gen+): Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears.

iPad with Home button (older models): Press and hold both the Home button and the Top (or Side) button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.

Backing Up Before a Software Restore

If a force restart doesn’t resolve the issue, a full software restore via Finder (on a Mac) or iTunes (on a PC) can resolve deeper corruption. This erases the iPad, so an iCloud or computer backup is essential first.

One thing worth noting about iPads specifically: they’re often shared family devices or used by children, and they’re sometimes less rigorously backed up than iPhones. Before bringing an iPad in for any repair — not just software — check that a current iCloud backup exists. Go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup and check the last backup date. If it’s months old or never done, run one before the iPad comes to us.

Is It Worth Repairing My iPad?

The honest answer varies more with iPads than with iPhones, because the iPad range spans such different price points.

An iPad Pro with a cracked screen is almost always worth repairing — it’s an expensive, high-capability device, and a screen replacement is a fraction of the replacement cost. The same logic applies to iPad Air.

A basic iPad or iPad mini, particularly an older model, needs a bit more consideration. If a screen replacement on a five-year-old entry-level iPad costs more than a third of a current replacement, the case for repair weakens — though a battery replacement on the same device might still make sense if the rest of the hardware is in good shape.

Business iPads are almost always worth repairing. Replacing a fleet of point-of-sale or kiosk iPads is significantly more disruptive and expensive than maintaining them. We work with a number of Auckland businesses on ongoing iPad maintenance, and proactive battery replacement in particular keeps downtime predictable.

We’ll always give you both options with honest pricing when you come in — repair cost and replacement context — so you can make the call clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my iPad not charging?

The most common causes are compacted debris in the charging port (particularly on Lightning-port iPads), a faulty cable, or a charger that isn’t supplying enough power. Try a different Apple or MFi-certified cable and charger first. If a USB-C iPad shows a “liquid detected” warning, leave it to dry before attempting to charge again. If none of this helps, bring it to Advanced Computers — a port clean or replacement is usually a quick, affordable fix.

Is my iPad waterproof?

Almost certainly not. Only very recent iPad Pro models carry any water resistance rating, and even that is modest and not covered by warranty. The vast majority of iPads in circulation have no water resistance whatsoever. Treat your iPad around liquids the way you would any unprotected electronic device.

What should I do if my iPad gets wet?

Turn it off immediately, do not charge it, and bring it to Advanced Computers as soon as possible — ideally the same day. Do not use rice. Speed is genuinely critical with liquid damage, as corrosion develops on the circuit board within hours of exposure.

Why has my Apple Pencil stopped working after a screen repair?

This is almost always caused by a screen replacement using an incompatible or low-quality digitiser. The Apple Pencil communicates with a specific layer in the screen assembly, and not all replacement screens support this correctly. At Advanced Computers, we use appropriately specced screens that preserve Apple Pencil functionality. If your Pencil stopped working after a repair elsewhere, bring the iPad in — we can assess and advise.

How do I know which iPad I have?

Go to Settings → General → About → Model Name. This tells you exactly which model and generation you have. Alternatively, the model number is printed in small text on the back of the iPad, and you can enter it at apple.com/nz to identify the device. Knowing your model helps us give you accurate repair information and pricing upfront.

How long should an iPad battery last before needing replacement?

Apple specifies that iPad batteries retain 80% of their capacity after 1,000 charge cycles under normal conditions. In practice, this is typically three to four years for regular personal use — though iPads left permanently plugged in (as in a business or kitchen setting) can degrade faster despite fewer charge cycles. Check Settings → Battery → Battery Health for your current status.

Does my iPad have Face ID or Touch ID?

It depends on the model. iPad Pro (3rd generation and later, from 2018) uses Face ID. iPad Air (4th generation and later), iPad mini (6th generation and later), and current iPad (10th generation and later) use Touch ID in the side button. Older models use Touch ID in the Home button. If you’re not sure, go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode or Settings → Touch ID & Passcode — whichever option appears will tell you which your device uses.

Is it worth repairing an older iPad?

It depends on the model and the repair. High-end models like iPad Pro and iPad Air are generally worth repairing even when a few years old, given their original cost and ongoing capability. Entry-level iPads need more consideration — if the repair cost approaches the price of a current entry-level replacement, replacement may make more sense. We’ll give you an honest comparison when you bring it in.

Can you repair school or business iPads?

Yes. We’re experienced with business and school iPad repairs at Advanced Computers, including bulk assessments, battery replacements, and screen repairs across multiple devices. We understand that device downtime has real operational consequences and we work to turn repairs around efficiently. If you manage a number of devices, get in touch to discuss what works best for your situation.

How do I force restart my iPad when it’s frozen?

For iPad Pro (2018 and later) and iPad models with Touch ID in the side button: quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears. For older iPads with a Home button: hold both the Home button and the Top (or Side) button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. A force restart causes no data loss.

Ready to Get Your iPad Repaired?

This guide is here to help you understand what’s going on with your device before you decide what to do. If you’re ready to book a repair, our iPad repair service page has everything you need — common repairs, what to expect, and how to get in touch.