I have a iPad mini 3 and it’s stays at iOS 12.5 it won’t let me update my iPad to the newest update is there a way I can ?

No.

Sorry, but that iPad is simoly too old, now.

That iPad year and model is 7-1/2 years old, now.

That iPad year and model will be completely and fully unsupported by the end of 2022.

Sorry.

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!

Think what you will.

These iPad models are, now, 7-1/2 to 8-1/2 years old now.

8-year old internal hardware is NOT up to the challenge of running ANY version of iPadOS.

If you could run iPadOS on these 7-1/2 to 8-1/2-year old devices, you'd just be signing up here to whine and complain how slow and buggy these older iPads are running iPadOS with NO fixes/solutions to these issues.

I am afraid it’s time for a new or newer iPad model.

I listed all older and cheaper iPad models that, currently, run the latest iPadOS 15.3.

Plenty of older and cheaper iPad models to choose from IF you do not want to purchase any new, current iPad model.

I have given plenty of options for less expensive older iPads.

It is what it is.

The newer 2014 iPad Air 2 has been fully supported by Apple for, what will be, 8 years, by Sept 2022, and will still get another 2 years, or so, of support from third party apps, for a total of 10-years of support.

2022 maybe the last year of support for some older iPad models that are, currently still being supported by iPadOS 15.

No one here will know this, for sure, until Apple announces iPadOS 16, later this year.

Good Luck to You!

Suit yourself.

Technology moves on and leaves older technology behind.

This is the way it is and has always been.

My wife and I are still using 11 and 12-year old Macs, but we both know these computers are running on borrowed time, as well, and current, up to date and secure third party Web browser support is soon coming to an end.

Even when I upgrade these old Macs to their last compatible macOS version, these old Macs will still be 4 macOS versions behind of most newer, more modern Macs.

It is the way it is.

Apple is still issuing security updates for these older iPad models.

That is why iOS 12 is up to iOS 12.5.5.

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

FYi,

If you decide to purchase any other brand name tablet, you will get an even less amount of software support time from these other tablet brand models.

Not to mention gettng all sorts of other nasties, like adware. malware and viruses.

Do what you will.

A third generation iPad mini isn't capable of 13 or above. If you're trying to update it to 12.5.5, it depends on what happens.

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So this Apples way of trying to force people to buy new products?

No I think I will go without ever buying a new one or a updated one, but thanks for the response