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📢 Newsroom Update
The new iPad mini is available today. Learn more >
The new iPad mini is available today. Learn more >
I want to download an APP that requires IOS 13 or greater. The software on my IPAD is 12.5.4 and states my software is up to date. Is there a way to manually install a later software version?
iPad Air, iOS 12
The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.4.
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 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 fundamental limitations of your iPad.
The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.4.
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 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 fundamental limitations of your iPad.
Wakarusa wrote:
I want to download an APP that requires IOS 13 or greater. The software on my IPAD is 12.5.4 and states my software is up to date. Is there a way to manually install a later software version?
No.
Your iPad hardware is incapable of running newer iPadOS software.
There are no hardware upgrades available here.
Your options for apps requiring newer iPadOS versions are a newer (used, refurb) or new iPad.
Sorry, the original iPad Air cannot be updated beyond iOS 12.5.4.
I want to download an App that requires IOS 13 or greater. The software on my IPad is 12.5.4 and states that it is up to date. Can you manually download a more current version?
