How can I update my iPad software

If you have an actual 2014 iPad Air 2 still on iOS 12, then that year and model iPad is too far behind in iOS/iPadOS upgrades/updates.

If your iPad is too far behind in iOS/iPadOS upgrades/updates, you will need to connect the iPad to a Windows PC or older Mac, running an older macOS, connected to the Internet, running the latest iTunes and let the iTunes update feature update that iPad to the recent iPadOS 14.3.

With a newer Mac, running a much newer macOS, you use the macOS Finder to do the upgrade of that iPad to the latest iPadOS 15.6.

Your iPad needs to be, at least 50% charged.

Also, make a backup of all of your iPad's data, first, before doing any computer or mobile device upgrades/updates to protect ANY important data on that iPad,,in case something with an OS upgrade/update goes wrong.

If No computer, you may need to seek out the help of a computer of a family member or friend that can help you to upgrade the OS on that iPad.

If not, you can contact your nearest Apple Store location and make an appointment and let Apple employees upgrade/update that iPad for you. That will be happy to help/assist you.

If you own an even older iPad Air 1, iPad Mini 2 or iPad Mini 3 cannot upgrade/update beyond any version of iOS 12, currently at iOS 12.5.5

The 2013 iPad Air 1, iPad Mini 2 and 2014 iPad Mini 3 cannot upgrade beyond any version of iOS 12.

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.

Sorry.

Apple ended support for these older iPads back in 2019 and third party app developers will be ending nearly all app support for these iOS 12 devices by the end of 2022.

Sorry.

There is one last thing you can try/attempt, if you need an older version of an app.

If you own another much newer iOS device that can run either iOS 12 and.or iOS/iPadOS 13 and later, you can install the most recent 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.

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

It's past mid 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, used iPad models, from better known, trusted sources, like other Apple product/device retailers/resellers, locally or online, capable of running the latest iPadOS versions.

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

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

Settings > General > Software Update

Hello ~ Take a look here and make sure of your model…

Identify your iPad model - Apple Support

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

~Katana-San~