Downloading apps

To clarify, the first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.5.

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 older models of iPad, if you want or need to access to Apps (such as Disney) that require more recent versions of iOS than your iPad can support, you’ll need to consider a newer or current model iPad that supports iPadOS15.

As with all computer systems, buyers of older models can be disappointed to learn that they are unable to install some software titles. Unfortunately, you have encountered this very situation.

Whether or not you are able to update any iPad to a newer version of iOS/iPadOS is dictated by the iPad model. For information, here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated:

iPad1 - iOS 5.1.1

iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular)

iPad4 - iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only), iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular)

iPad Air1, iPad mini2 and iPad mini3 - iOS 12.5.5

All of the above models will be limited in their ability to install and run current Apps. Newer models of iPad, not appearing in above list, are all capable of update to the current version, iPadOS 15.2.

I hope this clarification proves to helpful - if only in establishing a better understanding of limitations.

Disney+ app requires iPadOS 13 and later.

Other apps may need iPadOS 13/14 and later, now, also.

Sorry.

The 2013 iPad Air 1 ( “A” model number A1474/1475/1476 ), iPad Mini 2 ( “ A” model number A1489/1490/1491 ) and the 2014 iPad Mini 3 ( “A” model number A1599/1600/1601 ) cannot upgrade beyond any version of iOS 12, currently at iOS 12.5.5.

Sorry.

These iPad models have overall internal hardware that is too old, too underpowered and incapable of running all of the new, advanced and internal hardware resource intensive features of iPadOS.

These iPad models are now, almost 7-1/2 and 8-1/2 years old, in 2022.

Sorry.

Third party app support, typically, continues for 2-3 years AFTER Apple ends full support of a subset of their devices.

The last major update to iOS 12 was in 2019, with iOS 12.3.

So, it has been over two years, already, and third party app support is already on a downward trend for all iOS 12 supported devices.

Look for many more third party apps dropping support for all iOS 12 supported devices as another year progresses.

The immediately above statement is what you really need to worry about.

Sorry.

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

If you own another much newer iOS device that can run iOS/iPadOS 13 and later, you can install the most recent version 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.

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 12 to be able to download/install, per my previous comments on this.

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

It's 2022, now.

If you need/want an iPad with an up to date iPadOS with access to current, updated apps, then 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 sources, like other 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 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 ( NO Pencil support )

2015, 7.9 inch screen iPad Mini 4 models ( NO Pencil support )

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 Pro models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2017, 9.7 inch screen iPad 5th gen models ( NO Pencil support )

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 )

2018, 11 inch or 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 2nd gen Pencil support )

2019, 10.5 inch screen iPad Air 3rd gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2019, 7.9 inch screen iPad Mini 5th 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 older iOS devices.

Sorry & Best of 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!

Doesn't change the facts that the iPad Mini 2 and 3 are nearly 7-1/2-8-1/2-year old devices when you purchased them.

These iPad models are being phased out and are already fast approaching the end of third party app support from third party app developers.

As I stated, the last major iOS upgrade for these iPads was in 2019 and that was iOS 12.3.

Once Apple ends full support of a device or computer, third party apps stay supported for between 2-3 years.

2022 is the third year of third party app support and that app support WILL be going away throughout the 2022 year.

Sorry, but you simply purchased iPads that are too old and will soon be WITHOUT any major app support from many of the popular apps and their developers.

You clearly needed to do more research before purchasing these particular iPad year and models.

Sorry.

I feel your pain - but, unfortunately, all computing devices (regardless of manufacturer) have a lifespan. A time will come when computer hardware becomes incapable of running newer versions of an operating system - and App developers stop supporting older computers. This is the situation in which you find yourself.

Perhaps your disappointment would be better directed at the Developers of the Disney (and other) App that are unable to be installed on your iPads - as it is the developers that have actually abandoned support for older versions of the iOS Operating System (upon which your models of iPad rely) that is the source of your grief - as opposed to Apple abandoning the iPad model.

I always give my mom my older iPad models. But I always explain that it is older and that it may or may not operate as you would like. That way she is not surprised when issues like this happen; and they have. We would spend hours in the phone trying to walk her through an issue but to no avail. So when I give her my older devices, I try to explain what will happen the older it gets and what not to expect while owning such devices. This is frustrating to her and makes me sad because of Covid and Om I don’t risk visiting her in person jeopardizing hers and my health. I’m so sorry that your systems won’t load onto your children’s iPads. Wish there was help that could help you out. Aging out devices are probably the most frustrating facet in owning and buying devices of any type. Hopefully you will find something affordable that will load the apps of your choice. It’s an expensive world out there. Be safe!

Dannielle2013 wrote:

Yer I understand wat ur saying but I’m just confused that I could download these apps on my daughter I pad 3 and not my sons

Sorry, I perhaps misunderstood your initial post. Are both iPads the same model - with the same version of iOS?

Settings > General > About

As you can see from my previous replies to you, I provided a thorough list of older iPads that can run the latest iPadOS versions.

These older iPad models would, also, be much cheaper, now, than when they were first introduced by Apple.

If your children have one iPad Mini 2 and the other an iPad Mini 3, and recieved these at the same time, both should have the exact same issue with downloading apps that are not compatible with these devices.