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Updating iPad Mini 2

Why can’t I update my iPad mini 2 os to 13.6 or higher? (I’m not being offered an update after12.5.2.)

iPad mini, iOS 12

Posted on Mar 31, 2021 3:31 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 31, 2021 3:46 AM

iPad Air1, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.2. With iOS 12.5.2 installed, you will have one of these three models.


Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they since continue to receive “point” security updates - the most recent being released only a few days ago. 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.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 31, 2021 3:46 AM in response to finnegan164

iPad Air1, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.2. With iOS 12.5.2 installed, you will have one of these three models.


Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they since continue to receive “point” security updates - the most recent being released only a few days ago. 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.

Apr 13, 2021 8:38 PM in response to phung256

What year and model iPad do you have/own?

The “A” model number can be found on aluminium back of your iPad in small print right under the larger bold print “iPad”.

What iOS/iPadOS version is this iPad, currently, running?

What is the rated, internal data storage space/capacity of your iPad model and how much of this free, internal data storage capacity is left inside of your iPad model?


Please answer all questions asked.

Updating iPad Mini 2

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