How to update latest version on iPad without computer?

Connect your iPad to WiFi, then go into Settings > General > Software Update. Your iPad will be updated in a couple of taps after it downloads the update.

ahamblin22 wrote:

I did this but it only updates to 12.5.4. I need the latest 13 for some apps I need.

The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.4. If iOS 12.5.4 is installed, you will have one of these three models of iPad.

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 just a few weeks go. 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.

You’re very welcome.

The mini2 may not now be the sharpest tool, but it does still offers useful utility whilst the security “point” updates keep coming. I anticipate that support for iOS12.x devices may come to a complete end later this year - which will consign the Air1, mini2 and mini3 to the realm of “unsafe” security. We’ll have to wait-and-see how long security updates continue.

Any device running iOS 12.5.4 will not be compatible with iOS 13 or higher.