Need update past 10.3.3

If you're referring to an iPad 4, it's not capable of 11 or above. Otherwise, describe what happens when you try to update it.

An unit subject to the GPS issue which 10.3.4 patches can be updated to it, but this won't change or add anything else.

(206380)

Your friend will be delighted to learn that now you have signed-in with your own AppleID, they themselves will be unable to sign-in again - with their own AppleID - for 90-days.

For information - update support for iPad4 ended September 2017. The final iOS releases for this model were iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only models) and iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular). iPad4 cannot be updated to any later major version of iOS as it lacks the minimum hardware requirements needed to run more recent versions. The 32-bit platform upon which the iPad4 is based is obsolete.

Many App Developers have also dropped support for 32-bit devices and iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13 - and have withdrawn older versions of their Apps from the Apple App Store. Withdrawal of Apps supporting older models of iPad is making their utility and usefulness significantly more limited. Once compatible versions Apps are withdrawn, you’ll not be able (re)download or (re)install them.

If Apps that you need to use now have higher minimum iOS-version requirements, your only option is to replace your iPad with newer model. Of current models, even the entry-level iPad9 supports current iPadOS 15 - and has hardware specifications and capabilities that vastly outperform your old iPad4.

I hope this information is helpful - if only in clearly stating the fundamental limitations of your iPad4 and your available options.

There is a way to bypass this. Borrow a friends newer ipad, and open the App Store. Scroll all the way down and tap "sign out." Sign in to your own apple id and download the app you want. When downloaded, on your iPad it will show a cloud on the app. Tap the cloud, and it will let you download the last compatible version. I had to do this with a iPhone 5s, and iPad mini 1.

I am sure your friend was NOT happy to find out/learn that they could NOT use their Apple ID on their Apple iOS/iPadOS devices, to access any of the online App stores or iCloud for 90 days ( 3 months )!

You may need to recycle this iPad.

A 9-year old, iPad 4th gen model is too old, now.

Sorry.

Apple ended support for all 8-10-year old iOS devices nearly 5 years, ago, in 2016.

Third party app developers abandoned and stopped supporting these 8-10-year old iOS devices nearly 3 years, ago, in 2018.

There are, virtually, NO MORE third party apps available from the iOS App Store, any longer!

Third party compatible apps for such old devices are few and far between, now, in 2021.

This includes apps for both iOS 9 AND iOS 10 devices!

AND, NO WAY to initially install any older, compatible, third party apps into this old iPad.

NO MORE SUPPORT! NO MORE APPS!

AND, that 5-year old default iOS Safari Web browser is too old, not secure and not safe to use to access the Internet, any longer.

There are virtually NO MORE third party Web browsers left for 8-10 year old iPads!

Available and more popular third party Web browser choices are GONE, now!

If you must use these old iPad models, here is what is left for still updated Web browsers.

Pickins’ are slim, now!

ALook Web browser ( A fairly new Web browser primarily designed for old iOS device versions, but is still available to newer iOS/iPadOS devices, as well ) The ONLY “new-ish” Web browser I recommend for any old/er iPad models at this late timeframe!

Dolphin Web browser

Maxthon Web browser

TOR private browser

TOR + VPN private browser

Turbo VPN private browser

This is pretty much it for iOS 9/10 compatible device, up to date, third party Web browsers today, in 2021.

Simply and bluntly put, a 4th gen iPad is too old and obsolete now.

Sorry, but this is the reality for ALL 8-10-year old AND OLDER iOS devices now. Especially now in 2021!

There is one last thing you can try/attempt, if you need to recover older versions of apps, for old/er or aging iOS devices.

As you have discovered, If you own much newer iOS device that can run either iOS 12 and.or iOS/iPadOS 13 and later, you can install the most recent app/s onto that more recent iOS device.

Then go back to your older iPad, open the iOS App Store, go to the Purchases section of the store app, search for the app/s you wish to try and download to that older iPad and see if an older version of the app is allowed to be downloaded/installed to that older iPad.

These newer iOS/iPadOS devices must use your same Apple ID user account and password as the older device you ard trying to get an older app for.

This does NOT mean that every app in the iOS App Store still has an older version of an app that is still compatible with iOS o OR 10, per my previous comment.

So, Failing that OR IF NO joy, then there is nothing more to be done.

Yup,

I forgot to mention, as Lotus Pilot did, that you have prevented your friend from using his own Apple device for 90-days ( 3 months ), to be able to login to their own Apple ID, now, to access any of the Apple stores OR iCloud.

Not good for your friend.