I have just realised that I cannot use my old iPad 2 (2011) because it can’t support an ios above 9.3.5 and this means I cannot download any other apps even something as simple as the economist.
I find this ridiculous as my old iPad is in perfect working condition. So basically Apple makes its products redundant so that you are forced to spend money on newer models.
Am I wrong and is there a work around for this?
iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi
It is far from ridiculous.
That 2011 iPad 2 will be 10-years old by April 2021.
What did you expect?
Apple and the rest of the mobile computing device industry to support old tech forever?
This is never, ever going to happen.
No consumer mobile electronics makers do this. None of them!
Apple supports their mobile computing devices the longest than any other electronic mobile computing device manufacturer.
Anywhere from 5-7 years! ( Apple fully supported the 2013 iPad Air 1st gen for 6 years AND is STILL supporting it by issuing small, but regular security updates and just recently issued another security update for that year and model iPad ).
Apple stopped supporting these old devices 4-years ago and majoirity of third party iOS app developers stopped supporting these old iOS devices two years, ago.
Your iPad is simply far too old, niw.
You can't get apps for that old iPad NOT because of Apple, but because third party app developers chose to stop supporting these old devices.
Personal, consumer mobile device technology moves at a fast and steady pace with newer, more powerful hardware internals and new and more powerful software that comes every single year!
Older tech, at some point, is no longer powerful enough to keep up and developers simply do want to have to keep “caretaking” their older software versions that supported 8-11 year old computing devices.
The main, full computer industries do not even do this!
For full computers, upgrades/updates end, software support ends and security support ends amd when Internet access using an 8-11-year old, OR MORE, Mac or Windows PC becomes risky, those computers, no matter their condition, at some point are not fit for their intended purpose, any longer!
Simply put, that nearly 10-year old iPad is a useless and obsolete device now.
It is what it is.
My Wife and I still use both new and old Apple iOS devices, but our old 201/2012 iPad 2 and 3 models still have plenty of older useful apps on them, that were downloaded/installed on them years ago, when these devices were still being supported, and are still working.
We still get some app updates on these old iPads, from time to time, but these are few and far between now in 2020/2021.
A lot has happened with iPad and iOS/iPadOS in the past 10-years!
If you need/want an iPad with an up to date iPadOS with access to current, updated apps, then, at this very late date in time, you really need to seriously consider a new iPad model OR a much, MUCH “newer” and less expensive, used iPad models, from better known, trusted Apple product/device retailers/resellers, capable of running the latest iPadOS versions.
Do some research before you purchase anything Apple mobile devices used AND make sure any “newer”, used Apple iPads do not have user activation lock on them, as this personal data security feature cannot ever be defeated or removed.
There are plenty of newer, older iPad models that can run the latest, current versions of iPadOS and all of the recent and current apps available.
Technology keeps marching on, whether you like this trend, or not.
8 years, OR GREATER, is too long to expect a piece of personal mobile computing device technology to keep being supported.
Sorry & Best of Luck to You!
It is far from ridiculous.
That 2011 iPad 2 will be 10-years old by April 2021.
What did you expect?
Apple and the rest of the mobile computing device industry to support old tech forever?
This is never, ever going to happen.
No consumer mobile electronics makers do this. None of them!
Apple supports their mobile computing devices the longest than any other electronic mobile computing device manufacturer.
Anywhere from 5-7 years! ( Apple fully supported the 2013 iPad Air 1st gen for 6 years AND is STILL supporting it by issuing small, but regular security updates and just recently issued another security update for that year and model iPad ).
Apple stopped supporting these old devices 4-years ago and majoirity of third party iOS app developers stopped supporting these old iOS devices two years, ago.
Your iPad is simply far too old, niw.
You can't get apps for that old iPad NOT because of Apple, but because third party app developers chose to stop supporting these old devices.
Personal, consumer mobile device technology moves at a fast and steady pace with newer, more powerful hardware internals and new and more powerful software that comes every single year!
Older tech, at some point, is no longer powerful enough to keep up and developers simply do want to have to keep “caretaking” their older software versions that supported 8-11 year old computing devices.
The main, full computer industries do not even do this!
For full computers, upgrades/updates end, software support ends and security support ends amd when Internet access using an 8-11-year old, OR MORE, Mac or Windows PC becomes risky, those computers, no matter their condition, at some point are not fit for their intended purpose, any longer!
Simply put, that nearly 10-year old iPad is a useless and obsolete device now.
It is what it is.
My Wife and I still use both new and old Apple iOS devices, but our old 201/2012 iPad 2 and 3 models still have plenty of older useful apps on them, that were downloaded/installed on them years ago, when these devices were still being supported, and are still working.
We still get some app updates on these old iPads, from time to time, but these are few and far between now in 2020/2021.
A lot has happened with iPad and iOS/iPadOS in the past 10-years!
If you need/want an iPad with an up to date iPadOS with access to current, updated apps, then, at this very late date in time, you really need to seriously consider a new iPad model OR a much, MUCH “newer” and less expensive, used iPad models, from better known, trusted Apple product/device retailers/resellers, capable of running the latest iPadOS versions.
Do some research before you purchase anything Apple mobile devices used AND make sure any “newer”, used Apple iPads do not have user activation lock on them, as this personal data security feature cannot ever be defeated or removed.
There are plenty of newer, older iPad models that can run the latest, current versions of iPadOS and all of the recent and current apps available.
Technology keeps marching on, whether you like this trend, or not.
8 years, OR GREATER, is too long to expect a piece of personal mobile computing device technology to keep being supported.
Sorry & Best of Luck to You!
Apple ended update support for iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 in September 2016. These devices cannot be updated to iOS 10 or later major versions of iOS as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements for new versions of iOS/iPadOS. This limitation cannot be bypassed; iPad2 is a 32-bit architecture device, whilst all recent versions of iOS/iPadOS are designed for 64-bit hardware platforms. iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 are obsolete.
Compatible Apps for your iPad are increasingly difficult to find - as third-party developers are increasingly dropping support for older versions of iOS preceding iOS11/12/13. As older versions of Apps are removed from the Apple App Store, you’ll not be able to (re)download or install them - which may severely limit the usefulness and utility of your iPad if you should you ever need reset or restore your iPad. As such, if you want or need to access most current Apps, requiring more recent versions of iOS, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model.
Of current models, even the entry-level iPad8 has specifications and capabilities that will massively outperform you current iPad - and is compatible with the vast majority of current Apps. Other models are more powerful still.
I hope this information provides helpful and succinct clarity as to your available options - and the limitations of your current iPad.
Updating an old iPad 2
