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Compatible apps

Why the apps are not compatible on old version iPad?

iPad 2, iOS 9

Posted on Sep 10, 2022 5:25 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Sep 10, 2022 7:25 AM

The tags appended to your post suggest that you have an iPad2 with iOS9 installed.


iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 can only be updated to iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models) or iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular models).


Apple ended update support for these models in September 2016. These models of iPad cannot be updated to iOS 10 or later major versions of iOS, as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements and lack the required capabilities for newer versions of iOS/iPadOS. This limitation cannot be bypassed; these are 32-bit architecture devices, whilst all recent versions of iOS/iPadOS are designed for 64-bit hardware platforms. iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 are all obsolete.


You need to consider that compatible Apps for older models of iPad are increasingly difficult to find - as App Developers have dropped all support for 32-bit devices and many for iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13. As older versions of Apps are removed from the Apple App Store, you’ll not be able to (re)download or install them - which may severely limit the usefulness and utility of your iPad. As such, if you want or need to access most current Apps, requiring more recent versions of iOS than your iPad is capable, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model.


Of current models, even the entry-level iPad9 has specifications and capabilities that will massively outperform older models of iPad - and is fully compatible with currently available Apps. Other models are more powerful still.

1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Sep 10, 2022 7:25 AM in response to Tirth2011

The tags appended to your post suggest that you have an iPad2 with iOS9 installed.


iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 can only be updated to iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models) or iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular models).


Apple ended update support for these models in September 2016. These models of iPad cannot be updated to iOS 10 or later major versions of iOS, as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements and lack the required capabilities for newer versions of iOS/iPadOS. This limitation cannot be bypassed; these are 32-bit architecture devices, whilst all recent versions of iOS/iPadOS are designed for 64-bit hardware platforms. iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 are all obsolete.


You need to consider that compatible Apps for older models of iPad are increasingly difficult to find - as App Developers have dropped all support for 32-bit devices and many for iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13. As older versions of Apps are removed from the Apple App Store, you’ll not be able to (re)download or install them - which may severely limit the usefulness and utility of your iPad. As such, if you want or need to access most current Apps, requiring more recent versions of iOS than your iPad is capable, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model.


Of current models, even the entry-level iPad9 has specifications and capabilities that will massively outperform older models of iPad - and is fully compatible with currently available Apps. Other models are more powerful still.

Compatible apps

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