Comprehensive iPad (5th Generation) Screen Repair: Everything You Need

You know that sinking feeling when your iPad's screen cracks? It's frustrating, especially when the device itself still works perfectly. The fifth-generation iPad hit the market in 2017 as Apple's budget-friendly option, and thousands are still in daily use. But here's the thing—these tablets weren't built to last forever, and screen damage is just one of several issues that can sideline your device.

Let's talk about what really goes wrong with these iPads and what you can actually do about it.

What Makes the iPad (5th Gen) Tick

The fifth-generation iPad was Apple's answer to folks who wanted iPad functionality without the Pro price tag. It's got a 9.7-inch Retina display, runs on the A9 chip, and supports the first-generation Apple Pencil. Not exactly cutting-edge anymore, but it's still capable enough for streaming, browsing, and light productivity work.

Here's what's under the hood: 32GB or 128GB storage options, an 8-megapixel rear camera, and that familiar aluminum body we've come to expect from Apple tablets. It weighs about a pound and measures just 7.5mm thin. The Lightning port handles charging and data transfer, and there's a headphone jack—remember those?

The tablet runs iPadOS (though support's getting long in the tooth), and when it's working right, it's a solid device for everyday tasks.

Why Tablets Age Like Everything Else

Think about your electric toothbrush—it doesn't hold a charge like it used to, right? Tablets follow the same path. The battery that once lasted all day starts giving up after a few hours. The screen that survived minor bumps suddenly cracks from a short fall. Ports that connected smoothly now feel loose.

It's not planned obsolescence. It's just physics and chemistry doing their thing over time.

The Real Problems We're Seeing

Screen Damage: The Most Common Culprit

Cracked screens dominate our repair queue for fifth-gen iPads. The display glass is fused to the digitizer, so even a small crack often means replacing the entire assembly. You'll notice touch responsiveness issues, visual distortions, or in severe cases, the screen won't respond at all.

What causes it? Usually drops, pressure on the screen when the iPad's in a bag, or just setting something heavy on top of it. The aluminum body's tough, but that glass is still glass.

Battery That Won't Hold Up

Real-world repair results show: batteries in these iPads typically start showing their age around the three-year mark. You'll charge it overnight, unplug it in the morning, and by lunchtime it's already asking for more power. Sometimes the percentage jumps around—87% one minute, 34% the next.

The battery's glued in there pretty securely, which is why this isn't a simple swap. You can't just pop open the back and slide in a new one like older devices.

Charging Port Issues

The Lightning port takes a beating. Plug in your charger every night for years, and that connector starts wearing down. You'll know it's happening when you've got to hold the cable at a weird angle to get it charging, or when it stops recognizing accessories altogether.

Lint and debris pack into that port over time, too. Sometimes what looks like a hardware failure is just accumulated pocket fuzz blocking the connection.

Home Button Acting Up

The Touch ID sensor doubles as your home button, and it's a common failure point. The button might stop clicking properly, or Touch ID might quit recognizing your fingerprint. In some cases, the button stops working entirely, which makes navigation pretty frustrating.

This component's paired to the logic board for security reasons, so replacing it means losing Touch ID functionality. Not ideal, but at least you can still use the button itself.

Performance Slowdowns

Your iPad's getting older, and newer iPadOS versions demand more from that A9 chip than it was designed to handle. Apps take longer to load, multitasking feels sluggish, and sometimes apps just crash without warning.

Software can only compensate so much for aging hardware. Eventually, you're asking a 2017 processor to run 2025 software, and that gap shows.

What Actually Gets Fixed

When you bring an iPad to The Fix, here's what the repair process looks like:

Screen Replacement

We start with a diagnostic to confirm the screen's the problem and check for any underlying logic board damage. The repair involves carefully heating the adhesive around the display, separating the broken glass and digitizer from the frame, cleaning the frame thoroughly, and installing a new display assembly.

It's delicate work. The digitizer cables are fragile, and there's always a risk of damaging other components if you rush it. A skilled tech takes their time here.

Battery Replacement

Battery swaps require disconnecting several components to access the adhesive-secured battery. We remove the old battery, clean any remaining adhesive, and install a fresh one with proper adhesive strips. Testing comes next—we verify the new battery charges correctly, holds a charge, and communicates properly with the system.

This repair breathes new life into tablets that are otherwise perfectly functional.

Charging Port Repair

Sometimes it's a simple cleaning—compressed air and careful tools can dislodge debris that's blocking the connection. Other times, the port itself needs replacement, which means micro-soldering work on the logic board. It's precise, technical work that requires the right equipment and experience.

At The Fix, we'll assess which approach your device needs and let you know what makes sense.

Home Button Repair

If it's a mechanical issue, we can often repair or replace the button assembly. You'll lose Touch ID functionality with a replacement, but you'll regain that physical button press. For software issues, sometimes a restore and recalibration does the trick.

We're upfront about the limitations here. This isn't a repair where everything goes back to factory-fresh condition.

Keeping Your iPad Healthy

Prevention's worth a lot when it comes to tablets. Here's what actually works:

A good case matters. Look for one with a raised bezel around the screen—it'll protect the display if the iPad lands face-down. Screen protectors aren't just for phones; tempered glass protectors can absorb impact that would otherwise crack your display.

Keep that charging port clean. A quick inspection every month or so, combined with a gentle cleaning if you spot debris, prevents most port issues before they start.

Battery care helps too. Don't let your iPad sit at 0% for extended periods, and avoid leaving it in hot cars or direct sunlight. Extreme temperatures mess with battery chemistry and accelerate degradation.

Update your software when Apple releases new versions, but keep an eye on performance. If an update makes your iPad noticeably slower, you might be better off sticking with an older version that runs smoothly on your hardware.

Is Repair Worth It?

Here's the honest calculation: if your iPad's screen's cracked but everything else works fine, repair makes total sense. You'll spend much less than buying a new tablet, and you'll keep a device that does everything you need.

Battery replacements are similar—if the tablet's still fast enough for your needs, a new battery extends its life significantly.

But if you're dealing with multiple issues, the math changes. A cracked screen plus a dying battery plus charging problems might add up to more than the iPad's worth. We'll never push you toward unnecessary repairs; sometimes replacement's genuinely the smarter call.

The Fix has seen thousands of fifth-generation iPads come through our doors. Some need simple fixes, others need more involved work, and a few are beyond economical repair. We'll give you the straight story about your specific device.

What Happens Next

Don't trust your iPad (5th Generation) to just anyone. The Fix has the experience, tools, and expertise to handle tablet repairs correctly. We'll diagnose your device for free, explain your options honestly, and do the work right the first time.

Your tablet's been reliable for years. When it needs help, bring it somewhere that respects that history and treats it with the care it deserves. That's what we do at The Fix—every device, every repair, every time.