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Mom has an older iPad mini 2 (model A1489) running iOS 12.5.1, which it says is most current. Want to download an app that requires iOS 13.(?). Will her mini run later iOS versions? If so, how do I download it?
iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi
A first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.1.
Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they since continue to received “point” security updates. These devices 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 newer 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, 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 iPadOS14.
Sorry, I appreciate that this may not be what you were hoping to learn.
I hope this information provides helpful clarity as to your available options - and the limitations of your existing iPad.
A first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.1.
Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they since continue to received “point” security updates. These devices 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 newer 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, 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 iPadOS14.
Sorry, I appreciate that this may not be what you were hoping to learn.
I hope this information provides helpful clarity as to your available options - and the limitations of your existing iPad.
No it won't, sorry. You'll need to buy a newer iPad to run that app.
Thanks to everyone who replied.
Updating iOS on iPad mini 2
