How to fix an Apple iPad Pro 2018 that easily warms up, overheating [Troubleshooting Guide]

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Heat generation is normal in mobile devices. But if the device becomes hot all the time, then that denotes something is wrong and that therefore needs to be taken care of. Overheating in smartphones can be attributed to system problem or hardware damage. The normal operating temperature ambient for an iPhone and iPad is between 32° and 35° Celsius. Any device becomes warm from prolonged extensive usage like playing games, video streaming as well as when downloading huge files like major updates. This is a normal effect of processor exhaustion. And the simplest solution to this is to let the device rest for some time either by turning it off or keeping it idle. If the symptom is recurring, then it could denote a serious issue on the software or hardware.

Before rushing to a service center, there are some helpful workarounds you can try to rule out software-related factors. Mapped out below are some of the suggested methods and potential solutions to a relevant issue on the Apple iPad Pro (2018) variant. Feel free to refer to this walkthrough whenever you need more inputs to troubleshoot and fix your iPad Pro that easily warms up or overheating. Read on for more detailed solutions.

For owners who are looking for a solution to a different problem, drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most common problems with this device. Browse through the page to find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work or if you need further assistance don’t hesitate to contact us by filling up our iPad issues questionnaire.

First solution: Clear all background apps.

Many devices bump into overheating problems due to rogue apps. And the usual culprits are background or suspended applications. These are the apps that are left open and running on your iPad Pro. While keeping apps in this state aids when multitasking or apps reloading, it can also cause trouble especially when any of these apps misbehaves. Rogue apps can trigger the processor to constantly work until it gets exhausted. And that’s when the device gets hotter and eventually overheats. As direct remedy, clear all background apps with these steps:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the Home screen and then pause slightly in the middle of the screen.
  2. Then swipe right or left to navigate through the app previews.
  3. Swipe up on the app card/preview to close individual background apps.

Follow the same steps to clear the rest of the background apps then see if that solves the problem. If it doesn’t, then you need to troubleshoot further.

ALSO READ: How to fix Messenger app that won’t load properly, keeps crashing on an Apple iPad Pro 2018 [Troubleshooting Guide]

Second solution: Restart the phone.

If it suddenly occurs to your iPad Pro, then this could be just due to some minor software errors like glitching apps. And the simplest remedy would be a device restart. At this point, your next option would either be a soft reset or force restart. If your device is still responsive, then you can

  1. Press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
  2. Release the buttons when the Slide to Power Off command appears and then drag the power off slider to the right.
  3. After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power/Side button again until the iPad reboots.

Overheating can also trigger other symptoms like frozen display and so the device is unable to respond to touch inputs. This is where a forced restart is needed. It works the same as soft reset when it comes to restarting the system and clearing out minor software errors and glitches but carried out in different manner. To force restart an iPad Pro, simply follow these steps:

  1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
  2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
  3. Then, press and hold the Power/Side button and then release when the iPad reboots.

Wait until the device boots up and then see if the problem is solved.

Third solution: Update apps and iOS.

Apps that have gone rogue and trigger overheating symptoms are usually those that aren’t updated regularly. If you haven’t set your apps to auto-install updates, they can become susceptible to various issues. That said, manually check for and install pending app updates on your iPad Pro with these steps:

  1. From the Home screen, tap App Store.
  2. From the App Store main screen, scroll down to the bottom and then tap on the Updates tab. A list of all apps with pending updates will then appear.
  3. Tap the Update button next to the name of the app to update individual apps.
  4. If multiple app updates are available, then simply tap on the Update All button on the top-right of the screen instead. Doing so will install all app updates simultaneously.

Aside from app updates, installing the latest update for your iPad is also recommended. Software updates usually embed fix patches to get rid of existing bugs that destabilize or ruin system functions. If your iPad is still responsive and has stable Internet access, then you can try these steps to check for OTA updates to download and install:

  1. From your Home screen, tap on Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Then tap Software Update.

An update notification should pop up if a new iOS version is available. Read the update details then follow the onscreen instructions to update your device when ready.

Alternatively, you can update your iPad Pro manually through iTunes. Just secure a computer that has the latest iTunes software version and is connected to a stable Internet.

ALSO READ: How to fix an Apple iPad Pro 2018 that is not recognized by iTunes, unknown error 0xE [Troubleshooting Guide]

Fourth solution: Reset all settings.

To rule out invalid settings or incorrect configurations, you can try resetting all settings on your iPad Pro. Doing so will erase all customized settings including any erratic configurations. After the reset, the default options and values are restored. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. From your Home screen, tap on Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Scroll down to and then tap on Reset.
  4. Select the option to Reset all settings.
  5. If prompted, enter your passcode then follow the onscreen instructions to confirm all settings reset.

After the reset, your device should reboot by itself. By then you can enable the features that you want to use including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi features.

Fifth solution: Erase and restore factory settings.

If it’s not a faulty hardware, the problem you’re dealing with is likely complex and therefore requires advanced solutions. This is when system resets play a vital role. But before you do, you should secure a backup of all your critical data as they will all be wiped out in the process. If possible, back up your iPad to iCloud or iTunes beforehand. Then follow these steps to factory reset your iPad Pro through settings:

  1. From your Home screen, tap on Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Scroll down to and then tap on Reset.
  4. Select the option to Reset erase all content and settings.
  5. If prompted, enter your passcode then follow the onscreen instructions to confirm factory settings reset.

After the reset, the device will restart and loads the default settings. Just wait until it boots up then follow the setup wizard to configure and set up your iPad Pro as new.

If a factory reset through settings menu isn’t possible, then you can use iTunes to reset your iPad Pro on a computer instead. Just connect your iPad to the computer using the supplied USB cable or Lightning cable, then follow the given commands and controls to reset and restore your iOS device to its factory defaults.

Other options

  • System restore. Should the problem be triggered by fatal system errors and none of the prior solutions is able to fix it, then you may opt for system restore. You can start with a recovery mode restore through iTunes and if that doesn’t work, continue with a DFU mode restore.
  • Repair/service. If all else failed to fix your iPad Pro and it’s still overheating, then you should take it to the nearest Apple service center instead. The device might have obtained some sort of physical or liquid damage on the battery or other relevant components, and therefore repair is needed.

You can also escalate the problem to your device carrier or Apple Support so they can assist you further in applying more advanced solutions. If the device is still eligible for warranty, then you may also opt to avail for warranty instead. Talk to your carrier for more details on how to avail for service warranty or new unit replacement.

I hope that we’ve been able to help you fix the problem with your device. We would appreciate it if you helped us spread the word so please share this post if you found it helpful. Thank you so much for reading!

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