My apple air iPad will not update

It is highly possible that your iPad year and model will not ever be able to upgrade/update beyond any version of iOS 12, currently at iOS 12.5.5.

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 close to 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!

Your iPad model number corresponds to a 2013 iPad Mini 2.

That is a nearly 8-1/2-year old iPad

That iPad model CAN ONLY be upgraded to iOS 12.5.5 and that is it!

That old an iPad will never upgrade/update beyond ANY version of iOS 12.

See ALL of my information above.

At this late stage, I wouldn't even bother with upgrading/updating this older iPad model.

2022 WILL BE the last year of support the the lion's share of ANY remaining third party apps for all iOS 12 supported devices.

Tons of apps are already no longer compatible with these nearly 7-1/2-8-1/2-year old devices.

All iOS 12 ONLY devices are very soon approaching their full end of life for any support.

Time for a new or “newer” iPad per all my advice/replies above.

Sorry, but this is the reality for all remaining 7-11-year old iOS devices.

Good Luck!

You have an iPad Mini 2, so iOS 12.5.5 will be the farthest that 8-1/2-year old iPad will upgrade/update to.

Finally just restarted the device and had to re-enter password. It was able to update. Sorry for the stupidity. Thanks

He posted the model number as A1489. That model number corresponds to a 2013 iPad Mini 2.

No way an iPad Mini 2 can upgraded to any version of iPadOS.

Hello alaya1,

Could you please tell me what generation iPad Air you have? This will help me help you with your issue.

Identify Your iPad Model - Apple Support

Sincerely,

Captain

An unit running 12.5.5 isn't capable of 13 or above. If it's an iPad Air, it'll always be a first generation model.

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Hello, IFAS-Video2 or alaya1

Yes, it would tell you. You must be mistaken with the model if it says it will upgrade to iPadOS 15.

Thanks,

Cappiedog11

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!

While I understand the upgrade path is limited because of legacy, the iPad-mini I'm attempting to update seems to be stuck downloading the 15.5.2 update. All I can get is a message of "Estimating time remaining" and it's been over 2 hours. The gear icon is slowly spinning but that's about it. I am on a very fast wireless connection so it's not the connection speed. The iPad is an older A1489 model, currently running iOS 11.3.1.

I would think if the device cannot upgrade to this level of iOS, it would tell me right? Thanks!

The 15.5.2 is a typo; the current iPadOS version is 15.2.1.

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