A family member has an iPad model MD789LL/B. It appears that the highest software update on this device is iOS 12.5. Her Amazon prime account is now requiring iOS 13 or greater. Is it time to invest in a new iPad for her. Are there any options. She is an older adult who uses it limited periods of time.
The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.5. With this version 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 just recently. 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 iPadOS15. Given that your device is within its twilight period of update support, if used with financial and e-commerce Apps (such as Amazon), you might be well advised to soon consider replacement with a more recent device - in so doing benefiting from both enhanced functionality and full update support.
I hope this information provides helpful clarity as to your available options - and the fundamental limitations of your existing iPad.
The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.5. With this version 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 just recently. 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 iPadOS15. Given that your device is within its twilight period of update support, if used with financial and e-commerce Apps (such as Amazon), you might be well advised to soon consider replacement with a more recent device - in so doing benefiting from both enhanced functionality and full update support.
I hope this information provides helpful clarity as to your available options - and the fundamental limitations of your existing iPad.
It appears that the highest software update on this device is iOS 12.5. Her Amazon Prime account is now requiring iOS 13 or greater. Is it time to buy her a new iPad, or are there any options.
