Is there a way to bring iPad Air 1 up to 15?

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 occasional “point” security updates - the most recent being released late last year. 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.

Whether or not you are able to update any iPad to a newer version of iOS/iPadOS will be dictated by the iPad model - and the currently installed version of iOS. You can find this information here:

Settings > General > About

Not sure which iPad you have? Identify your iPad model.

Here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the 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

Newer models, not appearing in this list, are all able to be updated to the current version, iPadOS 15.5

murkidpaul Said:

"Is there a way to bring iPad Air 1 up to 15?: How can I Bringing up iPad Air generation one to iOS 15.+ from 12? much appreciate answers to keeping my Air one."

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For reference...

Updating an iPad:

By using a compatible device, and reliable connection.

I. Start Here: If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch won’t Update - Apple Support

II. Verify Compatibility:

1. Go to: Settings
2. Tap: General
3. Tap: About
4. View: the model shown

Then, see if the device is shown here:

Go here iPad Models Compatible with iPadOS 15.5 - Apple Support

III. If compatible...

Use of a Computer to Update:

My User Tip: Making Use of a Computer for Updating an iOS Device - User Tip

murkidpaul wrote:

Checking the difference between the iPad Air A1475 versus iPad Pro A1675, I can see that generation 1 Air uses the A7 chip, 64 bit processor versus the Pro using the A9x chip, 64 bit.

I have to assume the A7 language doesn’t cover the A9x hence limited to 12.x iOS, meanwhile the pro using the A9x chip is capable of running the 15.x iOS.

I will further investigate the differences to see if the code can be modified to accommodate the difference.

If developing your own Apps, you may be able to modify your own source code to only use system APIs that are available within iOS 12.x. Otherwise, source code from other Developers will not be available to you.

The iPad Air1 was released in 2013 - and is now eight years old. Given that your device is now beyond its twilight period of update support, if you wish to keep your iPad secure, you have little alternative other than to replace the iPad with a much newer model.