unable to update my ipad mini

If you have a iPad Mini stuck on iOS 9, you likely have the original iPad Mini, which simply is not capable of updating past iOS 9.3.5. If you need the newer iOS versions for things like apps, you'll need a newer iPad.

A 1st generation iPad mini that is running iOS 9 cannot be upgraded/updated past iOS 9.3.5/9.3.6.

A 1st gen iPad Mini is from 2012 and is a 7-1/2 year old iPad, now!

Its internal hardware is too old, underpowered as NOT compatible with any iOS versions from 3 years ago until now.

Sorry. It is what it is at this very late date, now here in the year 2020.

If you need an iPad that can run the latest and greatest versions of iOS, as well as, the most current apps available, then, you need to purchase a new iPad from Apple or a discounted, refurbished iPad from Apple’s Refurbished & Clearance section of Apple’s Website or a new or refurbished iPad from an Apple authorised, third party retail or online reseller.

These old iPad 2, 3, 4 and 1st gen iPad Mini models are nearing 8 and 9-years old, now.

As of the beginning of 2019, many, MANY third party app developers are all more quickly and completely dropping older app support for all old 7, 8 and 9-year iPads that are running 2-3 year old and earlier iOS versions ( iOS 10 and earlier ).

Third party app developers are removing all of their older, legacy versions of their apps from Apple's App Store servers, now.

Older versions of apps are going to be gone for good, now!

Getting older versions of apps for these old iPad models, initially from Apple’s iOS App Store is getting very difficult and very problematic and this issue is getting, painfully, much worse in 2020, now!

These old iPads are now reaching their complete end of life and support.

Old iPads that can no longer be upgraded/updated will have NO MORE APPS AVAILABLE for initial download, at all, soon, from the Apple iOS App Store, for such old iOS devices in the very near future.

Older versions of apps for older iPads will be completely gone, very soon!

So, this is really now the time to seriously consider a new or discounted, refurbished iPad from Apple or other Apple authorised resellers.

The 2019, 10.2 inch screen 7th gen iPads have a 1/2 inch larger retina screen, much faster and newer 2.3 Ghz, A10 Fusion processors, AT LEAST, 3-4 times the internal RAM, with the 2019, 7th gen iPad having 3 GBs of internal RAM, iPadOS 13 support, with much better and improved multitasking features, Apple Pencil and Apple Smart keyboard cover support and have better audio speakers and better/improved built-in cameras.

A lot has happened with iPad and iOS in 7-9 years and in the past 2 to 3-1/2 years since iOS 9 and 10.

Amazon, itself, currently sells new, sealed in box, Apple's base model 2019, 7th gen, 10.2 inch screen, WiFi ONLY 32 and 128 GBs iPad models selling for $279 and $359, respectively, through its own direct sales distribution.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PP3Z9PB?pf_rd_r=QZ8DHRKVKQBKCKJPFPPN&pf_rd_p=ab873d20-a0ca-439b-ac45-cd78f07a84d8&th=1

This is a $50-$70 savings from Apple's own pricing of these iPad model.

Amazon will also provide for purchase of extended, AppleCare+ product warranty protection plan, also.

Amazon, itself, also sells slightly used or damaged electronics, like Apple iPads/iPhones of any model for even further discount/savings.

These slightly damaged ( sometimes only damaged packaging and not always the actual device ) devices will NOT have any damage that will affect the device’s normal operation.

In addition, Amazon has its own warranty plan for covering electronics devices that are new, used or slightly damaged.

Amazon, itself, also, sell other current, newest Apple iPad models at a substantial discount, as well!

New 2019 iPad Air 3

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PP3Z9PB?pf_rd_r=QZ8DHRKVKQBKCKJPFPPN&pf_rd_p=ab873d20-a0ca-439b-ac45-cd78f07a84d8&th=1

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!