Strange problem - ipad air 3 thinks ios 12.2 - "your software is up-to-date"

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Strange problem - ipad air 3 thinks ios 12.2 - "your software is up-to-date"

Ok, for a long time my ipad air 3 - ie latest version as of june 2021 - has been bugging me to upgrade to the latest ios - 14 I think. I keep indicating later and putting it off.

Now that I decided to upgrade, hitting settings, general, software update - it comes up with the

"IOS 12.2 your software is up to date" message?

I have plenty of space - 256GB, only 50 used. At one point it told me it had downloaded the ios and would install it overnight if I agreed - I did not. I can't find the update file in Storage, it must have been deleted?

Seems the ios has given up trying to update, I finally wore it down:)

Ok, any ideas to reset something so it will correctly check for ios updates?

I powered down and rebooted, no change.

Tried all this with mains power - no difference. Got good wifi signal. No connection issues.

ipad air 3rd gen. 256GB, wifi, sim capable.

Thanks in advance.

iPad Air 3 WiFi, Cellular

Posted on Jun 17, 2021 11:51 PM

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Answer 1

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LotusPilot

Community+ 2024

Level 10

291,236 points

Jun 18, 2021 12:52 AM in response to engineer003

If your iPad is capable of being updated to a more recent version of iOS/iPadOS than is currently installed, these support pages outline both the available methods by which the update can be performed - and troubleshooting should you experience difficulties:

Update your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch won’t update - Apple Support

iOS update and restore errors – Apple Support

Be aware that your iPad may be too far behind the current version to be updated directly from iPad settings. As such, you will likely need to use a computer to perform the update. You will need access to either a PC (with iTunes installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS). Ensure that your installed version of iTunes has been updated to the most recent version; the essential device drivers are included.

Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support

Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support

Update software on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch in iTunes on PC - Apple Support

You should note that for your iPad to install an available update, its battery must be charged to at least 50% capacity - and/or be connected to its Power Adapter. Similarly, the iPad can only be updated over a standard WiFi connection - or be updated by a PC or Mac using iTunes or Finder - over a USB connection.

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Answer 2

engineer003 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 27, 2021 8:27 PM in response to LotusPilot

Thanks for the above advice.

It turned out that a couple of days later my ipad presented me a notification to upgrade to ios 14.6, which I accepted thus my ipad was soon upgraded.

In other words all your suggestions did not apply, and as I suspected, it was a fault at Apples end - that it incorrectly advised I was not eligible to upgrade from 12.2. Note my ipad was always either connected to a charger or had at least 80% charge during this period, and had constant access to good wifi signal.

So the problem resolved itself with no further input from me, so I am not concerned about what problem Apple had leading to this issue.

cheers,

ray

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Strange problem - ipad air 3 thinks ios 12.2 - "your software is up-to-date"

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