The iPad Pro M5 has a fantastic battery, but even the best lithium-ion cells degrade over time. If your 11-inch or 13-inch model isn't lasting as long as it used to, or if you're thinking about resale value, checking the battery health is the first step. iPadOS 18 has detailed tools built right into Settings. Here's exactly where to look and what the numbers mean.
Check Battery Health Percentage
Open Settings and go to Battery > Battery Health. The Maximum Capacity percentage tells you how much charge your iPad can hold compared to when it was brand new. A fresh iPad Pro M5 shows 100%. After a year of regular use, you'll typically see somewhere between 85% and 95%.
Below that, you'll see Peak Performance Capability. If the battery is in good shape, it will say your iPad supports normal peak performance. If the battery has degraded significantly, you'll see a message about performance management. That means the iPad is automatically managing power to prevent unexpected shutdowns, and you'll probably notice slower performance during heavy tasks like video editing or gaming.
How Many Charge Cycles Has Your iPad Used?
A charge cycle doesn't mean one full drain to zero. It counts when you've used 100% of the battery's capacity cumulatively. Using 50% one day and 50% the next is one cycle. Apple rates the iPad Pro M5 battery to retain 80% of its original capacity after 1,000 complete charge cycles, which is excellent for a device this powerful.
On the iPad Pro M5 running iPadOS 18, you can check the cycle count directly. Go to Settings > General > About and scroll down. You'll see Cycle Count, Manufacture Date, and First Use Date right there. If the cycle count is already approaching 500 after a year, you're a heavier user. If it's under 200, you're being pretty gentle with it.
Which Apps Are Draining the Most Power?
Go to Settings > Battery and scroll down to the app list. You can view usage over the last 24 hours or the last 10 days. Tap Show Activity to see on-screen time versus background activity for each app. This is especially useful on the iPad Pro M5 because some apps take advantage of the M5 chip's extra power and can really pull current.
If an app you barely use is showing up near the top of the list, something might be off. Pro video and photo editing apps tend to be the biggest drainers, but if a simple note-taking app is high, try force-closing it or reinstalling it.
Turn on Optimized Battery Charging
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health and make sure Optimized Battery Charging is enabled. This feature learns your daily charging routine and holds the battery at 80% until right before you typically unplug. Lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when kept at 100% for long periods. This setting is your best defense against unnecessary wear.
On the iPad Pro M5, you also have the option to set an 80% Limit directly. If you know you'll be plugged in for days at a time, like with a desktop setup, that limit is a smarter choice than leaving it topped off constantly.
If the Battery Percentage Seems Wrong
Sometimes the battery indicator acts up. You'll see 30% one moment and 15% the next, or the iPad dies when it claims there's charge left. This is usually a software glitch, not a hardware failure. Start with a simple force restart: press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Top button until the Apple logo appears.
After the iPad restarts, give it a few minutes to recalibrate. If the percentage is still erratic, drain the battery completely until the iPad shuts off, then charge it to 100% uninterrupted. That recalibrates the battery sensor and usually clears up phantom percentages.
Keep the USB-C Port Clean
The iPad Pro M5 charges at up to 60W over USB-C, which means you can get 50% in about 30 minutes with the right adapter. But dust and pocket lint can build up inside the USB-C port and block a solid connection. If your iPad isn't charging or charges slowly, inspect the port closely with a bright light.
Use a non-conductive tool like a wooden toothpick to carefully scoop out any debris. Metal tools can short the pins and damage the port. Also check both ends of your USB-C cable for fraying or bent pins. Damaged cables are a common cause of intermittent charging on the Pro M5.
Habits That Extend Battery Life
Avoid leaving your iPad Pro M5 in direct sunlight or a hot car. Heat is the enemy of lithium-ion batteries and causes permanent capacity loss. Try to keep the battery between 20% and 80% most of the time, especially if you don't need a full charge for the day. That's easier on the cells than constantly running to zero or staying at 100%.
Use a certified USB-C power adapter that delivers at least 20W for regular use. The Apple 40W dynamic power adapter (model A3351) or any 60W+ USB-C adapter will give you the fastest charge speeds, but a standard 20W iPad charger works fine for overnight charging without stressing the battery.
