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iPad Pro Extremely Hot and Battery Drains When using Freeform App

I recently purchased the IPad Pro 11” (M4) and Apple Pencil pro with the main purpose of note taking while preparing for a professional accreditation exam. I bought the Apple Pencil pro for its functionality with the Freeform app. I found that the app gets extremely hot after only 5 minutes of use and the battery starts draining rapidly (100-65% in 35 minutes). I don’t have this problem with any other apps.


I’ve been looking online and it looks like a lot of people are having a similar issue, but there haven’t been any fixes. I’ve tried the restart with no avail. Is this issue being worked on?


I saw one post on another forum that suggested turning off ICloud with the app to try to help, but when I try that the board gets removed from the app and doesn’t stay local. I haven’t been able to figure out a way to copy it locally and tried sharing it with myself to open after removing the iCloud sync and the only way I could view it is by turning iCloud back on.


Happy to hear suggestions on if anyone has found any work-arounds for this issue with the freeform app, overheating issue or if you have other note taking apps that still have good Apple Pencil functionality (as I’ve already invested in one).


Would also appreciate an update from Apple on if they are working towards solving this issue.


Thanks in advance.

iPad Pro, iPadOS 17

Posted on Nov 16, 2024 4:11 PM

Reply
1 reply

Nov 17, 2024 3:39 AM in response to riki48

If your iPad Pro becomes extremely hot and its battery drains rapidly while using the Freeform app, it's likely due to high resource usage caused by the app. This can happen for several reasons, such as a bug in the app, heavy use of system resources, or even an issue with your iPad’s software. Here's how to address the problem:


1. Check for App Updates

  • Cause: Freeform may have a bug or compatibility issue causing it to overuse resources.
  • Solution:
    • Open the App Store and check for updates to the Freeform app.
    • Install any available updates as these often include bug fixes.

2. Update iPadOS

  • Cause: Running an outdated version of iPadOS can cause compatibility issues with apps.
  • Solution:
    • Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
    • Install the latest version of iPadOS.

3. Optimize Freeform Usage

  • Cause: Freeform uses a lot of system resources, especially when handling large, complex boards or collaborating in real-time.
  • Solution:
    • Reduce the number of objects, images, or large files on a board.
  • Close other apps running in the background to free up resources:
    • Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and close unnecessary apps.
    • Avoid collaborative sessions with many participants, as real-time syncing can increase resource usage.

4. Monitor App Activity

  • Cause: Freeform may be running processes in the background or consuming excessive resources.
  • Solution:
    • Check Settings > Battery to see how much battery the app is consuming.
    • If Freeform shows abnormally high usage, consider limiting its use or uninstalling/reinstalling the app.

5. Adjust Display Settings

  • Cause: High brightness or ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate) can increase heat and battery drain.
  • Solution:
  • Reduce screen brightness:
    • Swipe down to access Control Center and lower the brightness.
  • Disable ProMotion (if applicable):
    • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Toggle Limit Frame Rate (limits refresh rate to 60Hz).

6. Perform a Forced Restart

  • Cause: Temporary glitches in the system can cause overheating or battery drain.
  • Solution:
    1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
    2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
    3. Hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.

7. Reset Freeform Settings

  • Cause: A corrupted board or settings might be causing performance issues.
  • Solution:
    • Export or back up important boards.
    • Uninstall and reinstall the Freeform app.

8. Check for Background Activity

  • Cause: Background processes like iCloud syncing might be consuming resources.
  • Solution:
  • Temporarily disable iCloud syncing for Freeform:
    • Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Toggle off Freeform.
    • Check if the overheating and battery drain reduce.

9. Test Other Apps

  • Cause: The issue might be with the iPad itself (e.g., a hardware problem or general system issue).
  • Solution:
    • Use other apps to see if the overheating and battery drain persist.
    • If the problem occurs only with Freeform, it’s likely app-specific.

10. Factory Reset as a Last Resort

  • Cause: System corruption or deeper software issues may require a reset.
  • Solution:
    1. Back up your iPad via iCloud or iTunes.
    2. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings.
    3. Set up your iPad as new and reinstall Freeform to test.

11. Contact Apple Support

If none of the above resolves the issue, it might be a hardware problem or a severe software bug. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for diagnosis and assistance.


Let me know if you’d like help with any of these steps!

iPad Pro Extremely Hot and Battery Drains When using Freeform App

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