iPad Pro 12.9” 2nd gen Pro battery draining when plugged into power

[boston04and07]

I have a 2nd gen iPad Pro 12.9” that I use daily for work. It’s still in excellent condition and works perfectly well for my needs, with the one issue that the battery drains when it’s connected to power. I don’t know exactly when this started, as I only started using it for work fairly recently. It was very lightly used before that. I always kept it plugged in to the 12w adapter that Apple sent with my iPad, and then replaced it with a new Apple 12w (bought directly from Apple) but the issue keeps persisting. Now I’m using a Belkin 18w charger but the issue is still happening.

I mainly use the iPad next to my iMac connected via Universal Control, or at my work desk connected to an Apple Magic Keyboard 2 and Magic Trackpad 2, and occasionally AirPods. The screen is usually turned up to at least mid brightness if not higher.

Is the normal and is there anything anyone can recommend to get it to not discharge when plugged in? It’s 11:30 am right now where I am and I’ve been using my iPad since about 9:30, plugged in, started at 100%, and it’s already down to about 75%. Would a battery replacement fix this?

Thanks for any advice you guys might have!

 

[rui no onna]

Is it constantly connected to power? I think iPads have a kiosk mode that automatically kicks in to preserve battery health. Staying at 100% all the time isn't super healthy for the battery. Do note, iPad Pros support up to 30W so you could always try a different charger in case the issue is power drain being higher than what the 18W charger provides.

Mind, I use a Meross Smart Plug (one of the few HomeKit compatible plugs I found) and iOS Shortcuts/Automation to keep battery charge on my 12.9" between 60-80%.

 

[boston04and07]

Is it constantly connected to power? I think iPads have a kiosk mode that automatically kicks in to preserve battery health. Staying at 100% all the time isn't super healthy for the battery. Do note, iPad Pros support up to 30W so you could always try a different charger in case the issue is power drain being higher than what the 18W charger provides.

Mind, I use a Meross Smart Plug (one of the few HomeKit compatible plugs I found) and iOS Shortcuts/Automation to keep battery charge on my 12.9" between 60-80%.

Interesting! I didn’t know that about there being a kiosk mode. It makes sense, as I usually am plugged in when I’m using the iPad. The main reason why I’m plugged all the time is because I noticed the battery draining when I am plugged in, so I figured it’d just go faster if I’m unplugged. I’ll try unplugging for a while though and see what happens when I start to charge it up again.

It’d be nice to not to have to use a 30w charger, because that would mean having to upgrade my lightning cables to USBC-to-lightning ones. Hopefully I’ll get it to work without having to do that.

Thanks for your quick reply too!

 

[rui no onna]

Interesting! I didn’t know that about there being a kiosk mode. It makes sense, as I usually am plugged in when I’m using the iPad. The main reason why I’m plugged all the time is because I noticed the battery draining when I am plugged in, so I figured it’d just go faster if I’m unplugged. I’ll try unplugging for a while though and see what happens when I start to charge it up again.

It’d be nice to not to have to use a 30w charger, because that would mean having to upgrade my lightning cables to USBC to lightning ones. Hopefully I’ll get it to work without having to do that.

Thanks for your quick reply too!

Is the Belkin 18W charger Quick Charge (USB-A)? If so, Apple doesn't support QC and it delivers at most around 12W to the iPad same as the stock charger.

 

[boston04and07]

Is the Belkin 18W charger Quick Charge (USB-A)? If so, Apple doesn't support QC and it delivers at most around 12W to the iPad same as the stock charger.

Yes it is! That explains why I was getting the same charge as the 12w, good to know.

 

[boston04and07]

Well I've made the switch to 20w adapters and USBC to lightning cables, and the difference is like night and day. Charging is so much faster and my iPad doesn't drain while I'm using it normally. Definitely a worthwhile upgrade in case anyone is having the same issue with an older model iPad.

 

[rui no onna]

Well I've made the switch to 20w adapters and USBC to lightning cables, and the difference is like night and day. Charging is so much faster and my iPad doesn't drain while I'm using it normally. Definitely a worthwhile upgrade in case anyone is having the same issue with an older model iPad.

Lol, I charge my iPads with 65-120W laptop adapters. They're even faster than 20W. Max draw by the iPad is around 35W and I believe it can full charge the 12.9" in around 2 hours.