M4 iPad Pro users report device overheating when using Apple Pencil on any notes app

iPad Pro users, specifically those with the latest M4 models, have taken to Reddit and Apple’s community forums to report that their devices have started overheating following the iPadOS 18 update. According to reports, the device only gets uncomfortably hot when using the Apple Pencil to take notes on any note-taking app.

Several iPad Pro M4 users have noticed their devices heating up significantly after just 30 minutes of continuous Apple Pencil use. A common theme among the complaints is that the overheating is concentrated around the center of the screen. Naturally, this leads to discomfort while taking notes and even brings up concerns over long-term battery health.

One user shared, “The iPad gets uncomfortably hot when I take notes using the Apple Pencil. Is there a way to fix this?” Others echoed this, with one user pointing out that lowering the screen brightness seemed to reduce the heat: “For notes, reduce brightness of the screen—it will do the trick.”

Some users suggested enabling Low Power Mode as a temporary solution, which helps reduce the heat but may limit the performance of the iPad. However, this workaround isn’t really always a feasible solution.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time users have reported overheating issues with the iPad Pro series. Users of older models, such as the M1 iPad Pro, have also faced similar problems, especially when using the Apple Pencil for note-taking or illustration purposes. Furthermore, the issue seems to have been around since the early iPadOS 18 beta builds.

While there’s no official word from Apple regarding the overheating issue, it may be worth waiting for a software update to address the problem. In fact, a fix might be upcoming with the iPadOS 18.1 update, according to some reports on Reddit. In the meantime, if you’re experiencing overheating, it could help to limit the brightness and switch to Low Power Mode during extended note-taking sessions. Alternatively, if you’re willing to deal with beta software, consider updating to the latest iPadOS 18.1 beta build.

We’ll keep an eye out for any further developments and will post an update if and when there’s something to share. Feel free to drop a comment below letting us know if you figured out a more practical workaround until a permanent fix arrives. Thanks in advance!