Hi guys,
I’ve got a first or second gen iPad mini which was my sons. It’s in fantastic condition but being so old now doesn’t update and has pretty much become obsolete. Anyone got any recommendations for it? Seems such a shame for it to go to waste when it has no physical problems.
iPad mini, iOS 9
An iPad mini1 can only be updated to iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models) or iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular models).
Apple ended update support for the iPad mini1 in September 2016. An iPad mini1 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; the mini1 is a 32-bit architecture device, whilst all recent versions of iOS/iPadOS are designed for 64-bit hardware platforms. iPad mini1 is obsolete.
An iPad mini2/3 are similarly constrained to iOS 12.5.1. Apple ended major update support for iPad mini2/3 in September 2019. Whilst these models have since continued to receive “point” security updates, they cannot be updated to iPadOS 13 (or any later major versions of iPadOS) as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements (RAM and CPU) for newer versions of iOS/iPadOS. They are, however, 64-bit architecture devices for which many Apps continue to provide support.
Not sure which iPad you have? Identify your iPad model.
You may wish to consider that 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, which may limit the usefulness and utility of your iPad. As such, if you want or need to access most current Apps, requiring more recent versions of iOS than your iPad can support, 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.
An iPad mini1 can only be updated to iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models) or iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular models).
Apple ended update support for the iPad mini1 in September 2016. An iPad mini1 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; the mini1 is a 32-bit architecture device, whilst all recent versions of iOS/iPadOS are designed for 64-bit hardware platforms. iPad mini1 is obsolete.
An iPad mini2/3 are similarly constrained to iOS 12.5.1. Apple ended major update support for iPad mini2/3 in September 2019. Whilst these models have since continued to receive “point” security updates, they cannot be updated to iPadOS 13 (or any later major versions of iPadOS) as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements (RAM and CPU) for newer versions of iOS/iPadOS. They are, however, 64-bit architecture devices for which many Apps continue to provide support.
Not sure which iPad you have? Identify your iPad model.
You may wish to consider that 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, which may limit the usefulness and utility of your iPad. As such, if you want or need to access most current Apps, requiring more recent versions of iOS than your iPad can support, 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.
Our old iPad mini makes a brilliant digital photo frame. You can still load photos to it via iTunes sync.
Old iPads
