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ipad ios latest update what version

My Ipad 4th Generation what is the latest iSO I can update?

iPad, iOS 8

Posted on Jan 28, 2021 10:16 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 29, 2021 3:53 AM

An iPad4 can be updated to iOS 10.3.5/6. If your iPad is too far behind, you’ll need to use a PC (with iTunes installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of macOS) for the update process:

Update your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support


Update support for iPad4 ended September 2017. The final iOS releases for this model were iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only models) and iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular). iPad4 cannot be updated to any later major version of iOS as it lacks the minimum hardware requirements needed to run more recent versions. The 32-bit platform upon which the iPad4 is based is obsolete.


Many App Developers have also dropped support for older devices and iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13 - and have withdrawn older versions of their Apps from the Apple App Store. Withdrawal of Apps supporting older models of iPad is making their utility and usefulness significantly more limited. Once compatible versions Apps are withdrawn, you’ll not be able (re)download or (re)install them.


If Apps that you need to use now have higher minimum iOS-version requirements, your only option is to replace your iPad with newer model. Of current models, even the entry-level iPad8 supports current iPadOS 14 - and has hardware specifications and capabilities that vastly outperform your old iPad4.


I hope this information is helpful - if only in clearly stating the limitations of your iPad4 and your available options.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 29, 2021 3:53 AM in response to CharlesChan17

An iPad4 can be updated to iOS 10.3.5/6. If your iPad is too far behind, you’ll need to use a PC (with iTunes installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of macOS) for the update process:

Update your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support


Update support for iPad4 ended September 2017. The final iOS releases for this model were iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only models) and iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular). iPad4 cannot be updated to any later major version of iOS as it lacks the minimum hardware requirements needed to run more recent versions. The 32-bit platform upon which the iPad4 is based is obsolete.


Many App Developers have also dropped support for older devices and iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13 - and have withdrawn older versions of their Apps from the Apple App Store. Withdrawal of Apps supporting older models of iPad is making their utility and usefulness significantly more limited. Once compatible versions Apps are withdrawn, you’ll not be able (re)download or (re)install them.


If Apps that you need to use now have higher minimum iOS-version requirements, your only option is to replace your iPad with newer model. Of current models, even the entry-level iPad8 supports current iPadOS 14 - and has hardware specifications and capabilities that vastly outperform your old iPad4.


I hope this information is helpful - if only in clearly stating the limitations of your iPad4 and your available options.

Jan 29, 2021 7:06 PM in response to CharlesChan17

If your iPad 4th gen is still using iOS 8, then just forget about this over 8-year old iPad now..

Your over 8-year old, iPad 4th gen model is too old, now.

Apple ended support for 8-10 year old iPads, at least, well over 3 years, ago!

The internal hardware in that iPad is too old, too underpowered and completely incompatible with all later versions of iOS/iPadOS.

Virtually, all third party iOS app developers ended/stopped/abandoned supporting these old iPads over two years, ago!

There are virtually, NO MORE older iOS 9 or 10 compatible apps available from the Apple iOS App Store, any longer.

There are also, virtually, NO MORE popular or useful apps or games for these old iPads, any longer!

Especially multi-player games as game makers push for upgrade compatibility for best interactive user and cross device gameplay.

AND, that over 4-year old default iOS Safari Web browser is too old, not secure and not safe to use to access the Internet, any longer.

There are virtually NO MORE third party Web browsers left for 8-10 year old iPads!

Available and more popular third party Web browser choices are pretty much GONE, now.

If you must use these old iPad models, here is what is left for still updated Web browsers.

Pickins’ are slim, now!


ALook Web browser

( A new, ONLY year old Web browser, designed originally for older iPad models that has been receiving many regular updates throughout 2020 and currently through 2021. This is a very good Web browser that is well supported by its lone developer. I highly recommend this Web browser for any older iPad model. Works well for newer iOS/iPadOS devices, as well. )


Dolphin Web browser

Maxthon Web browser

TOR private browser

TOR + VPN private browser

Turbo VPN private browser



Simply put, your 4th gen iPad is too old and obsolete now.


Sorry, but this is the reality for ALL 8-10-year old AND OLDER iOS devices now. Especially going into 2021.


If you need/want an iPad with an up to date iPadOS with access to current, updated apps, then 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 sources, like other Apple product/device retailers/resellers locally or online, capable of running the latest iPadOS versions.

There are plenty of newer, older iPad models that can run the latest, current versions of iPadOS.



Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

ipad ios latest update what version

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