iPad updates

My iPad is on iso 12.4.9 with no software updates available yet my phone is operating on iso 14.2. Why no updates for my I ipad? I can’t upgrade Pages because it says I need iso 13. or later.

iPad Air, iOS 12

Posted on Nov 20, 2020 7:45 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 20, 2020 7:57 AM

A first generation iPad Air can only be updated to iOS 12.4.9.


Apple ended major update support for iPad Air1 in September 2019. An iPad Air1 cannot be updated to iPadOS 13 (or any later major versions of iPadOS) as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements (CPU and RAM) for new versions of iOS/iPadOS.


Some 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). 


Whilst many App titles remain compatible with your iPad Air1, if you 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 iPadOS13/14.


I hope this information provides helpful clarity as to your available options - and the limitations of your existing iPad Air.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 20, 2020 7:57 AM in response to YorkyTart

A first generation iPad Air can only be updated to iOS 12.4.9.


Apple ended major update support for iPad Air1 in September 2019. An iPad Air1 cannot be updated to iPadOS 13 (or any later major versions of iPadOS) as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements (CPU and RAM) for new versions of iOS/iPadOS.


Some 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). 


Whilst many App titles remain compatible with your iPad Air1, if you 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 iPadOS13/14.


I hope this information provides helpful clarity as to your available options - and the limitations of your existing iPad Air.

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iPad updates

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