I need at least iOS 13. What can I do to get the update installed?

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Level 1

15 points

I need at least iOS 13. What can I do to get the update installed?

My iPad says I have the latest update. It states 12.#.## Yet when I try to download certain apps, it tells me I need at least iOS 13. What can I do to get the update installed?

iPad mini, iOS 9

Posted on Feb 9, 2021 6:37 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

David McKinlay

Level 7

22,516 points

Feb 9, 2021 6:54 PM in response to Pannlinn

You have neglected to state the model or the year of your iPad Mini. However, according to Apple's iOS 13 compatibility page iOS 13 requires an iPad Mini 4 or later. Earlier models can't run iOS 13.

Further, when an iPad Mini 4 is being upgraded from an early iOS version it now will be offered iOS 14 and will bypass iOS 13.

If your iPad is earlier it can state "up to date" which means it is as far as it can go with software updates and you will be notified that new apps require a later (ie. iOS 13) operating system. You can check this by going into Settings > General > Software Update. If nothing is offered then you have no more updates to do for that model.

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Answer 2

MichelPM

Level 10

81,004 points

Feb 9, 2021 7:04 PM in response to Pannlinn

Your iPad model cannot upgrade/update beyond any version of iOS 12, currently at iOS 12.5.1

The 2013 iPad Air 1, iPad Mini 2 and 2014 iPad Mini 3 cannot upgrade beyond any version of iOS 12.

These iPad models have overall internal hardware that is too old, too underpowered and incapable of running all of the new, advanced and internal hardware resource intensive features of iPadOS.

Sorry.

There is one last thing you can try/attempt, if you need an older version of an app.

If you own another much newer iOS device that can run either iOS 12 and.or iOS/iPadOS 13 and later, you can install the most recent app/s onto that more recent iOS device.

Then go back to your older iPad, open the iOS App Store, go to the Purchases section of the store app, search for the app/s you wish to try and download to that older iPad and see if an older version of the app is allowed to be downloaded/installed to that older iPad.

These newer iOS/iPadOS devices must use your same Apple ID user account and password.

Failing that OR IF NO joy, then there is nothing more to be done.

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!

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