SOLVED 2.5 yr old 5th generation iPad mini running very slow on Safari

[Dennis the Menace]

Hi

This started about 2 weeks ago

I have plenty of storage...emptied my cache...re-set all settings...re-start after each.

Automatic software updates currently 13.3.1

Web sites are all loading very very slow. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Maybe it's just worn out.

Thanks, Dennis

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello.

You could try the additional steps in this article to see if it helps: Safari Running Slow on iPhone or iPad? Five Tips to Speed It Up

How much free space is left on the iPad?

C

 

[Dennis the Menace]

Hello.

You could try the additional steps in this article to see if it helps: Safari Running Slow on iPhone or iPad? Five Tips to Speed It Up

How much free space is left on the iPad?

C

Thanks Cory...I preformed all 5 tips, then re-started. No change....still as slow as before. I did see somewhere that 3 years is about it for an iPad? Maybe it has a bug, or just worn out. I've used 13 of 128 GB's.

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hmmm...

I am stilling an iPad Air 2 (2014), which is older than your 5th Gen mini (2019), and Safari is very speedy under iOS 13.3.1. You have PLENTY of free space, so that's not the issue.

A few more things to try:
-Quit all other running apps
-Settings > Safari > Preload top hit - try disabling it
-Settings > Safari > Search Engine Suggestions - try disabling it
-Settings > Safari > Frequently Visited Sites - try disabling it
-Force restart your iPad mini - Hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button simultaneously until the screen goes black, keep holding until you first see the white Apple logo, then let go of the buttons
-Have you tried it on another Wi-Fi network?

C

 

[Dennis the Menace]

Thanks Cory

Just tried all of that (and left them disabled?). No change. Some sites are slower than others.
Facebook isn't quite as slow as others, but still empty windows after scrolling past 4-5 feeds.
Lastly tried using Xfinity Wi-Fi, still no change.

 

[Cory Cooper]

OK...yes, I have those disabled on mine, but it's your call if it didn't change things.

I will see if I can find anything else to try. Maybe install Google Chrome and see if that is the same?

The last resort would be to completed erase it and start over, but you would need to make sure you have anything important backed up.

C

 

[Dennis the Menace]

Thanks for the effort Cory. I appreciate it! I'll try the Google Chrome later tonight.
My iPhone 6s has been a little slow, but not as bad. My iMac is fine...except... you tube videos are not loading
on Facebook (new window) unless I empty the cache under the drop down "develop " menu VERY regularly.
Dennis

 

[Dennis the Menace]

I ran an Xfinity speed test on my iMac...980, then ran on iPad...99.7
Looking for ways to fix or speed it up. Thanks!
Dennis the Menace

 

[Cory Cooper]

OK, thanks.

I am starting to think it may be the configuration of your Wi-Fi network.

-Who is your ISP?
-Do you own the modem and router, or is it leased though your ISP?
-What brands/models are the modem and router?
- What type of encryption - WEP, WPA, etc.?

C

 

[Dennis the Menace]

Comcast Xfinity.
I use my own Netgear Modem and router
Netgear WPA2/WPA3 Personal

I just backed the iPad up to the cloud and thinking on wiping it.
My iMac speed is running at 980, but the iPad is running 97

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello,

That is definitely something to try if all else fails. Just verify your backup first.

C

 

[Dennis the Menace]

Thanks for your patience Cory! So...I verified my recent back up, wiped and re-installed to factory settings.
Still VERY slow.

I ran 2 speed tests on the iPad... 45.3 & 17.6 #2...21.3 & 17.6

Now finding my iPhone 6s is also running slow. #1...7.19 #2... .08 & 5.63 #3... .04 & 16.5

iMac running fine at... #1 403 & 17.1 #2... 371.9 & 17.6

Trying to figure out why the iMac speed is fine, but the iPhone and iPad are very slow.
My TV is streaming fine as well. Quite puzzling ;o)

 

[Dennis the Menace]

More info...

My iMac is hardwired to the Netgear modem. I'm assuming that is why it's running faster?

 

[Cory Cooper]

No worries...it is a strange issue indeed.

-Maybe there is interference in the Wi-Fi - does the Netgear allow you to change channels?
-Have you tried the Mac on Wi-Fi instead of a direct Ethernet connection?

Ahhh - the iMac is wired. That will always be much faster than Wi-Fi, as it doesn't have to encrypt/decrypt each packet for wireless transmit/receive.

Actual TV streaming via Wi-Fi doesn't take a lot of bandwidth - HD (1080p) video only requires 3-8 Mbps, and 4K is 10-25 Mbps, which is well below your actual speed.

On my network (Arris SB8200 modem and Apple AirPort Extreme 802.11ac (6th Gen)
-iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) running 10.13.6 via Ethernet: 359.0/12.0
-iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) running 10.13.6 via Wi-Fi: 93.5/12.0
-iPad Air 2 running iOS 13.3.1 via Wi-Fi: 214.0/11.1
-iPhone 6s running iOS 13.3.1 via Wi-Fi: 69.6/12.0

C

 

[Dennis the Menace]

So... I was trying to update my router software as it mentioned needing it and everything went to hell. Couldn't get the update, and also
couldn't get the router to work again! Netgear couldn't either. Luckily it was still under the hardware warranty so Netgear sent me a new one, I paid the shipping. It's all set up and working fine. Long strange trip! Thanks Cory!