How to stop my brand new iPad Air M2 from over heating?

Please make sure to update it to the latest version of iPadOS. If this is not working please force restart your iPad to see if the issues persist

Force restart iPad - Apple Support

I do not think this has anything to do with my Apple ID, as I was able to replicate the issue after rebooting into recovery mode and performing the restore prior to signing into my Apple ID… When I set up the iPad after the recovery mode restore, I didn’t log into my iCloud account at all, I selected “no iCloud account” >> “set up later in settings.” I then opened the notes app and confirmed the issue persisted, without being logged in to my Apple ID.

I have already brought the iPad in to the Genius Bar. The Genius Bar is certainly more limited than the Apple Senior Advisor I am working with, and who I spoke to again today. The Apple Senior Advisor is able to run remote diagnostics on the device and is the one who asked me to perform this operation to begin with. I see no reason why I would bring it to the Genius Bar.

I think a lot of people are making the assumption (reasonably) that if this was an issue on every iPad, everyone would be complaining about it. I think this leads people to make suggestions that target a given user’s circumstances as though the variable exists only in a limited scope (such as the suggestion that it must be users who have some flawed data related to their Apple ID only who are experiencing the issue).

I would like to present another hypothesis for why this doesn’t seem as widely reported:

I do not believe a majority of iPad users are really extensively taking notes on their iPad. To elaborate: most people will open their notes app, jot down a few things for a lecture, and close their notes app. They likely won’t notice anything wrong because they will only use it for maybe 30 minutes to an hour or so, and they will start a new note, and any heat that is generated they won’t likely notice. The heat problem is still there, but it is not expressed due to the use case of the majority of users.

I believe most of the users who are seeing the issue expressed are those who are taking substantial notes on their devices. The heat problem in question does not occur on my iPad (the current one or the previous one) when I open a new note until I have substantially modified that new note. I believe (hypothesis) that:

If - anyone who has an iPad on iPad OS 16/iPad OS 17 were to

• turn their screen to 50% brightness
• unplug their iPad (not charging) and
• open Apple Notes
• Make sure “battery saver” is Off
• Add a 20-35MB PDF to a new note
• start and continue to rapidly draw short strokes with their Apple Pencil anywhere on the imported PDF for at least 60 seconds

Then - they will, within about 30 seconds of performing these actions, notice substantial and concerning heat build up on the right side of their iPad, which will then disappear if a new note is created, or if the “large” note is closed, or if the rapidly drawn short strokes are paused.

My theory is that any and all iPad users with a model later than 2021 can perform the procedure outlined about and find the results I have suggested above. Turning battery saver on, for whatever reason, seems to solve the issue but introduces substantial and unusable input lagging, and therefore is not a viable solution.

The Apple Senior Advisor said she had reason to believe these issues may be solved with the update being pushed out this Monday.

Me too Facing same issue over heating & battery drain issues Apple kindly fix it

radmilak222 wrote:

Bought just week ago brand new iPad Air M2, and have the same issue, I am unable to work with this device, it's heatup during usage, and during the charging. And yes battery runs dry very fast. Amazing work apple. What should I do now?

It is not unusual for an iPad to become warm when being used - more so when using some types of iPad case. High screen brightness and/or CPU intensive Apps will also create more heat.

The key point is that whilst your iPad may become very warm in normal use, the iPad should not become uncomfortably hot to handle. If your iPad is becoming too hot to hold, initially try a forced-restart - as this can clear an isolated software issue.

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

If the problem persists, try to correlate unexpected heating with specific Apps or tasks - as some poorly optimised Apps are known to lead to consistently higher chassis temperatures.

If you have any concerns, you should take your iPad along to the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store - where the technicians can examine and test your iPad for faults:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Be aware that if purchased directly from Apple, in most countries/regions you have 14-days within which to unconditionally return the iPad for exchange or refund. If applicable, you might be best advised to act quickly - as upon expiry of the 14-day window of opportunity, remedy for faults will be handled as a warranty issue.

Make sure you aren’t using anything like this with it:

https://www.asseenontvlive.com/product/pillow-pad/

I always used to use a pillow pad (like the one shown above) with my iPads. I found that using it made my iPad really, really hot. Once I stopped using it, I had no problems with my Air 4 being too hot.

I imagine that all tablet pillows might cause that kind of issue. I suspect that pillow pad is bad for the iPad.

I know WheeliNick and can guarantee he’s not a bot. In fact doing a forced restart is a know fix, but only in a few cases. The bottom line is it can’t hurt and has on a few occasions been known to fix issues.

Before you think I’m a bot, I’m a former Apple Retail Store Manager and use my real name. Search me on Facebook, Reddit, LinkedIn etc. I’ve got stories to tell you can’t even imagine. But this isn’t the time or place. 😀😀

Only had the iPad Air 2024 M2 chipset for a month and while watching YouTube videos the top of the screen and back with the magnet side almost became too hot to hold. There must be a serious issue with this model as I have never had this happen on iPad Air first gen. Took a while to cool down and see if it happens again.

Must remember to turn this unit off when travelling by air, you never know.

Hi People! Facing the same issue of heating iPad Air M2 (11 inch) when notes app or any other apps being used. As per my opinion, it is a software issue. Wait till a new update comes to fix this problem.

In the meantime, you could try switching off the iCloud sync for different apps (I did it for all the apps) in the Settings. Other than that, while using the Notes app, switch off the math results or suggestions when you don’t need it. This definitely helped me. One more suggestion is using low battery mode to reduce background operations.

Hope this helps someone. Please provide any other suggestions if they work for you.

Thanks.

Stop the presses for your news flash. Advanced cutting edge chips cause heat in devices that have no active cooling.

This thread is now 4 pages deep. Apple isn’t here and will never see your post or anyone else’s comments. What is your real goal here? Do you want assistance with the issue, is that your goal? Or what exactly are you here for?

lol is right. I get the concern and having expectations set high and being disappointed by a purchase. I’ve had the same experiences from time to time, but in an earlier time. I have an M1 iPad and within the next year will probably purchase an M4/M5 iPad. I use higher end software from Adobe and understand the limits of a passively cooled device.

I’m happy to help troubleshoot the issue, I’ve been there in more ways than one. I’m a former Apple Store Manager. The next move is yours.

I too have the same issue but force restarting does not work for me.

Please help me

I have the same issue. Only when I use the notes app with the latest Apple pencil for extended periods? Even lowering the brightness seemed to help only a bit.

Same here, it just gets too warm and drains sooooo fast…

Even with official apple notes app

I just got my new iPad Air m2 yesterday and I’m noticing the same issue tat around the camera part it gets hot. They should fix this issue.