Why older iPads struggle with Fortnite and Roblox

Apple doesn’t often talk about how much memory (RAM) its iPads have, but popular games like Fortnite and Roblox are showing why it matters. These games need more power than some older iPads, like the iPad 9, can provide. Fortnite, which returned to the App Store in May 2025, needs at least 4GB of RAM to run on an iPad. The iPad 9, with only 3GB, can download the game but won’t start it.

Roblox, on the other hand, can run on less, but players often see a “Low Memory Warning” during gameplay. This error, called Error Code 292, means the iPad is running out of RAM, not storage, which can cause crashes. The iPad 9, priced at $329 until it was discontinued in 2024, was great for simple tasks like video calls or watching movies. But for modern games, its 3GB of RAM isn’t enough.

The newer iPad 10, now at $349, has 4GB of RAM, which handles these games better. For an even smoother experience, iPads with 8GB of RAM, like those supporting Apple Intelligence, are ideal but cost more. Upgrading doesn’t have to break the bank. For example, trading in an iPad 9 could get you $130, making the new iPad (A16) with 4GB RAM and more storage affordable at around $169 on sale. This upgrade also brings a bigger screen and USB-C. If you’re hitting memory limits, a newer iPad is the simplest fix.