Every iPad and tablet part and fault term a technician might use, explained in plain English. Screen, battery, charging and water damage terms that iPads share with phones are in the Phone Repair Glossary; the terms below are the ones specific to tablets.
All iPad & tablet terms
Laminated Display
A screen where the glass, touch layer and display panel are bonded into one part. Found on the iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and later, and iPad mini 4 and later. A crack means replacing the whole assembly.
Liquid Retina & XDR
Apple’s names for its iPad display types: Liquid Retina (LCD), Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) and Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED). The type sets the replacement cost.
ProMotion
Apple’s 120Hz adaptive refresh rate on the iPad Pro. A replacement screen must support it, or scrolling falls back to 60Hz.
Apple Pencil Pairing
How each Apple Pencil connects to an iPad. A Pencil that won’t pair is often a compatibility or charging-strip issue, not a broken Pencil.
Smart Connector
The magnetic contacts that power and connect Apple’s keyboards. Dirty or corroded contacts stop a Smart Keyboard or Magic Keyboard from working.
Swollen Battery
An ageing iPad battery that has expanded with gas. It pushes the screen up from behind, causing bright patches, a lifting edge or cracked glass.
Activation Lock
The Find My lock that ties an iPad to its owner’s Apple Account. No repair shop can remove it; only the owner or Apple can.
Lightning vs USB-C
The two charging ports used on iPads. Which one you have decides the cable, accessories and replacement port your iPad needs.
Related: iPad Screen Repair • iPad Battery Replacement • iPad Charging Port Repair • iPad Water Damage Repair • iPad guides