

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch won’t update - Apple Support If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support Update your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support If your iPad is capable of update to a more recent version of iOS/iPadOS than is currently installed, these support pages outline both the available methods by which the update can be performed - and troubleshooting should you experience difficulties:

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version, iPadOS 16.3.1 IPad Air1, iPad mini2 and iPad mini3 - iOS 12.5.7 IPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular) Here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated: Not sure which iPad you have? Identify your iPad model. Whether or not you are able to update any iPad to a newer version of iOS/iPadOS will be dictated by the iPad model - and the currently installed version of iOS. The current entry-level iPad9 supports iPadOS16 and will run all currently available Apps.

Whilst many App titles remain compatible with older models of iPad, if you have one of the older models and want or need to access to Apps requiring the most recent versions of iOS, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model that supports iPadOS16. Many App developers have dropped support for iOS versions preceding iOS 13.x for technical reasons, often because APIs or software libraries upon which they rely have been updated in the new version of iPadOS, making their App incompatible with earlier versions. As such your iPad may be one of those that are incapable of supporting iPadOS13 or later - such as iPad1-4, iPad mini1-3, or the iPad Air1. Many older models of iPad cannot be updated - as their internal hardware cannot support newer versions of iOS/iPadOS.
