How long can I expect Apple to support the new iPad Mini

The average iOS upgrade/update support time from Apple is 4-5 years, but third party app support can last, typically, an aditional 2-3 more years.

For users of iPad 2, 3 and 1st gen iPad Mini running IOS 9.3.5, 2019 is the year where those iPads are now seeing much fewer third party apps still being supported on those devices and this is year three for all those older iPads without any significant IOS support from Apple.

The 1st gen iPad Air will get close to 6 years of IOS upgrades/updates this year, but 2019 is the last year for any more IOS upgrades/updates for the 1st gen iPad Air, iPad Mini 2 and iPad Mini 3.

Apple supports their mobile hardware device at least 1-2 years longer than any other device maker.

Nothing is forever.

It is what it is.

Your new iPad Mini 5 will always work and function no matter when Apple ends support for it.

Just enjoy that new iPad Mini 5.

Best of Luck to You!

Hello,

Apple does not disclose their plans for future releases of iPad system software. To put it in perspective iPad Air ran system software version 7-12, iPad 2 ran system software version 5-9, iPad (4th Generation) ran system software version 6-10.

It just released. Expect 4 - 5 years.

You are very welcome! Something else to keep in mind, Apple released minor updates for iPad 2, (3rd Generation), (4th Generation) a few weeks ago. It’s comforting knowing that even if Apple no longer supports the device that they will still update them if there is a functional issue.