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Need help. I’ve been trying to update the software to 14.0. And my mini iPad 3 software is 12.5.6 (16H71). when I try to update it it says that it’s up to date. I really need to update it because ,ost of the apps I use won’t let me use them until I update the software to 14.0.
iPad mini 3, iOS 12
The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.6.
Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they continue to receive occasional “point” security updates, the most recent being released August 2022. 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 capabilities and available 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 iPadOS15/16.
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:
32-bit devices (obsolete)
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)
64-bit devices
iPad Air1, iPad mini2 and iPad mini3 - iOS 12.5.6
iPad Air2, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.7.1
Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version, iPadOS 16.1.1
The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.6.
Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they continue to receive occasional “point” security updates, the most recent being released August 2022. 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 capabilities and available 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 iPadOS15/16.
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:
32-bit devices (obsolete)
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)
64-bit devices
iPad Air1, iPad mini2 and iPad mini3 - iOS 12.5.6
iPad Air2, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.7.1
Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version, iPadOS 16.1.1
Thank you
You are very welcome. I’m sorry that it’s not the news that you were hoping for.
I’m trying to download the latest software 14.0, the software on my mini iPad3 with software 12.5.6 (16H71)
