Overdrive not working on my old iPad and I can't update it

Yes, there is a solution. Libby and Overdrive used old/outdated certificates from Lets Encrypt, but recently updated to their ISRG Root X1 certificate (Google it) that is not in iOS 9.3.5. I posted the link to this certificate but Apple removed it for containing "an inappropriate link". If you download the certificate (I used the ".der" one) in Safari, it will automatically prompt you to install it. Once installed, Libby worked fine on my iPad 3 running iOS 9.3.5, and the same should be true for Overdrive.

The 2012 1st gen iPad Mini is, now, over 9-years old.

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, any longer!

NO MORE SUPPORT! NO MORE APPS!

All 2011-2012 iPad 2, 3, 4 and 1st gen iPad Mini models are fully and completely unsupported AND obsolete!

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

You really need to seriously consider a purchase of a new iPad model OR a much, MUCH “newer” and less expensive, refurbished or used iPad models, from better known, trusted Apple product/device retailers/resellers, some locally or from online, on the Web/Internet, capable of running the latest iPadOS versions.

There are PLENTY of less expensive, newer, older iPad models that can run the latest, current versions of iPadOS.

If you need OR ONLY able to purchase older, less expensive iPad models, look at older IPads from 2014 and later.

All of these older model iPads below, CAN run the latest releases of iPadOS 15.

2014, 9,7 inch screen iPad Air 2 models

2015, 7.9 inch screen iPad Mini 4 models

2015-2017, 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models. ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2016, 9.7 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2017,10.5 inch screen iPad iPad Pro models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2017, 9.7 inch screen iPad 5th gen models

2018, 9.7 inch screen iPad 6th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2019, 10.2 inch screen iPad 7th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2020, 10.2 inch screen iPad 8th gen models. ( 1st gen Pencil support )

Get the largest internal data storage model you can afford as NO Apple iOS device has ANY expandable storage.

I am sorry that you had to learn all of this, but this does not change any of the facts regarding these very old iOS devices.

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

I found a solution for my iPad 3 from 2012 running iOS 9.3.5 (which still works great as an e-reader using Nook and Libby apps).

In Safari, I downloaded an updated certificate at this link - https://letsencrypt.org/certs/isrgrootx1.der

and installed it when prompted. Libby now works as it did last month :-)

How “old” is this “old” iPad exactly?

Can you, please, confirm what year and model iPad do you have/own?

The “A” model number can be found on the aluminium back of your iPad, in very small print, right under the larger bold print “iPad” on the back of the iPad.

What iOS/iPadOS version is this iPad, currently, running?

What is the rated, internal data storage space/capacity of your iPad model and how much of this free, internal data storage capacity is left inside of your iPad model?

All of that additional info can be found in the Settings app, General settings panel, About.

Please try to make an attempt to answer all questions asked.

Thank You.

I just checked the iOS App Store and the Libby app is still showing compatible with iOS 9.

For iPad models with a Home button, try a simple hard reset of your iPad by holding down both the Home and sleep/wake/power button simultaneously until your iPad goes to black and restarts with Apple logo, then release the buttons.

Good Luck to You!

If you decide to go down the path of purchasing used, secondhand Apple devices, here is how to avoid purchasing an Apple iOS/iPadOS device with user activation lock, in the future.

If you purchase any iPad, or any Apple iOS device, for that matter, used/second hand, online, or even in-person, make sure this iPad does NOT have user activation lock and has been properly reset for sale.

A properly reset for sale iPad should initially power up to an animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen.

DO NOT take the iPad seller's word that this iPad is user activation lock free!

We have seen plenty of used iOS device purchasers get scammed.

User Activation Lock can never be bypasss, circumvented or worked around IF there is no correct previous/original user information to be able to do so.

Apple doesn't get involved with ANY user activation locked, used/second-hand sold devices, either.

So, buyer beware!

If purchasing a used device in-person, power the iPad ON

If the iPad DOES NOT display the initial animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen, then pass on purchasing this iPad.

If the iPad powers up to any other screen, then forget purchasing this iPad.

You cannot trust that the seller actually has the correct needed info to properly reset the iPad back to factory settings right then and there before the actual purchase and exchange of money for the iPad, in question.

Pass on the device!

If you are purchasing this used iPad online ask the seller to provide multiple images, either online or be sent to you via email, showing this animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen of the interested in purchasing iPad model.

Even better, ask for a short video be sent to you showing this animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen, in action and in its entirety, posted to the online ad or emailed to you.

If the online iPad seller refuses any of these requests, pass on the iPad. DO NOT buy!

Good Luck to You!

You are welcome.

Try this link:--> https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/index.htm

Best of luck.

Giulio

The new iPad Mini 6 is an all new design with modern specs, USB-C connectivty to all sorts of USB-C devices and peripherals and, also, has Pencil 2nd gen support.

It, also, supports all of features of iPadOS 15.

Hello Christopher, This is a LIFESAVER. Could you tweet this solution? I know there are so many distressed people who cannot use their old iPads for free books, who don't have another way to access their libraries. I have been trying and your solution has worked for my old iPad mini and I am ecstatic. This would help so many! Can you share it elsewhere? Thank you so so much.! Now I don't have to go out and buy another, but my thoughts are with the people who still cannot use overdrive.

Thank you. I tried that. Overdrive goes to library website, then just goes black for a minute or two, then closes on my ipad2. Any idea why? (At least it now connects to library for a second…but can’t get books)

I suggest that you contact Libby developer team using these instructions:--> How to contact an app developer - Apple Support, and ask them.

Regards

Giulio