Can a ipad 2. Be upgraded to iOS 7?

Yes, but not a first generation iPad.

(104939)

Append the last three characters of the iPad's serial number to http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/?search_keywords= and load the page.

(104942)

or see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5452

If it has a camera it is NOT a First Generation iPad and a such cna be updated to iOS 7.1

Otherwise (if it doesn't have a camera), it is a First Generation iPad and cannot be updated past iOS 5.1.1.

_Mark_keys wrote:

Thank you. How do I tell if first generation. When I go to update it says I have latest version 5.1.1. And no upgrade appears

Then that iPad model supports no further iOS versions. The older hardware doesn't have the memory and processing resources necessary to work the newer and more complex iOS versions.

Enjoy your iPad while it lasts. Maybe relegate it for less demanding tasks. Save up for a new model. After all, the iPad 6 is in the works and when it comes out, there will be an iPad 4 and iPad 5 salefest as the retailers desperately will want to dump inventory.

No. But the App Store installer nowadays is supposed to be intelligent and install a compatible previous version of the desired app, provided the developer kept those previous versions still available.

Unfortunately, as time passes and older equipment ages and gets retired from service, developers don't see an economic incentive to keeping compatibility with older iOS versions. This is more evident in the Apple ecosystem since it was first-to-market and has undergone a very rapid growth cycle. Touted as an "advantage" by other competing latecomers to the game, it will eventually catch up with them as well. Life goes on, even if at a breakneck pace.

As Courcoul mentions you amy still be ablew to get compatible versions of Apps for your device.

You will have to download the App to iTunes on a computer or another device that does support the App using the same Apple Id you have on your iPad.

With that done you can follow these instructions from your iPad to get a compatible version:

App Store: Install the latest compatible version of an app

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5919