DeviceHowTo
iPad (iPadOS)⏱ 10 min

How to Fix Slow Internet on iPad (iPadOS)

Identify and remove the most common causes of slow Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Last verified: February 21, 2026

Diagnosing slow internet on iPhone requires separating a few common causes: the network itself may be slow, the device's Wi-Fi connection may be poor, or background app traffic may be clogging the available bandwidth. Switching to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band (when your router broadcasts separate SSIDs) is often the single biggest improvement for speed in a home environment, as the 5 GHz band provides higher bandwidth with less congestion from neighbouring networks. iOS Background App Refresh (Settings > General > Background App Refresh) controls whether apps like news readers, email, and social apps pre-load content in the background; disabling it for data-heavy apps frees up capacity for active use.

Quick Steps

Follow in order for the fastest result.

  1. 1Run a speed test at fast.com and note your download and upload speeds as a baseline.
  2. 2Move within 3 metres of the router or connect via Ethernet to eliminate Wi-Fi signal as the cause.
  3. 3Restart the router and modem: unplug from power for 30 seconds, reconnect, wait 2 minutes, then retest.

Still Not Working?

Try these if the steps above didn't help.

Verify the Fix

Confirm everything is fully working before closing this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my internet slow only on iPad (iPadOS) and not other devices?
Device-specific slowness usually indicates a local DNS cache issue, a VPN or proxy active on the device, background downloads consuming bandwidth, or a driver problem. Flush the DNS cache, check for active VPNs, and check what's using bandwidth in Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac).
How do I test my internet speed on iPad (iPadOS)?
Go to fast.com or speedtest.net in a browser. For the most accurate result, close all other apps and browser tabs, connect via Ethernet if possible, and run 2–3 tests. Compare the result against your ISP's advertised plan speed.
Does VPN slow down internet on iPad (iPadOS)?
Yes. VPNs add encryption overhead and route traffic through an intermediate server, typically reducing speeds by 10–40% depending on the VPN provider and the server location chosen. Disable the VPN and retest if you suspect it is causing slowness.
Why is my Wi-Fi slow at home but fast on other networks?
Your home router may be on a congested Wi-Fi channel. Log into the router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1) and change the Wi-Fi channel for 2.4 GHz to channel 1, 6, or 11, and for 5 GHz try a higher channel. Also check whether your ISP has throttled your connection or if you've reached a data cap.

Same task, different device

Windows 11Windows 10macOSiPhone (iOS)Samsung GalaxyGoogle PixelChromebook

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