My iPad Air (3rd generation) is on iPadOS 15.7.2 and says there’s no update available.

iPadOS 16.1.1 is available for all models of iPad that support iPadOS16:

• iPad Pro (all models)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad (5th generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)

If you don’t see an available update, ensure that you don’t have beta profile installed. If a beta profile is present, installation of production software updates may be inhibited. This support page provides the necessary information to remove the beta from your iPad:

How to uninstall iOS beta software - Apple Support

If the iPadOS 15.7.1/16.1 update still doesn’t appear, perform a forced-restart of your iPad:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

After the iPad restarts, look again for the update.

If your iPad is capable of being updated to a more recent version of iOS/iPadOS than is currently installed, these support pages outline both the available methods by which the update can be performed - and troubleshooting should you experience difficulties:

Update your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch won’t update - Apple Support

iOS update and restore errors – Apple Support

Be aware that while an iPad may be capable of update, in some circumstances you may need to use a computer to perform the update. To do so, you will need access to either a Window PC (with iTunes for Windows installed) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS). Ensure that your installed version of iTunes has been updated to the most recent version; the essential device drivers are included.

Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support

Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support

Update software on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch in iTunes on PC - Apple Support

You should note that for your iPad to install an available update, its battery must be charged to at least 50% capacity - and/or be connected to its Power Adapter. Similarly, the iPad can only be updated over a standard WiFi connection - or be updated by a PC or Mac using iTunes or Finder - over a USB connection.

Can you, please, confirm what year and model iPad do you have/own?

The “A” model number can be found on the aluminium back of your iPad, in very small print, right under the larger bold print “iPad” on the back of the iPad.

AND/OR

Supply the “M” model number, which can be found in the Settings app, under the General settings panel, then tap About.

What is the rated, internal data storage space/capacity of your iPad model and how much of this free, internal data storage capacity is left inside of your iPad model?

All of that additional info can, also, be found in the Settings app, General settings panel, About.

Your iPad needs sufficient free internal data storage space. At the very least, 7-8 GBs or greater internal, free data storage space.

Is your iPad using a VPN? You need to, temporarily, disable the VPN.

Is your iPad running an iPadOS Beta version? You need to remove/uninstall the iPadOS Beta software before you will be able to install the Apple “officially” released version of an iPadOS upgrade/update.

Also, make sure your iPad is charged to, at least, 50%, or greater, before attempting the iPadOS upgrade/update.

You stated, that your iPad had used up nearly 47 GBs of data!

Your iPad would be full at that point!

Now you are showing me that you,,actually, have more GB of data left than you, originally, reported to me.

So, that is an appreciable difference.

Still, the facts that I gave still hold true, but based upon what you just, currently, posted, this appears, now, not to apply.

I can only work with the data that I am given.

If your iPad had nearly 47 GBs used, that iPad would be full, with no way to install a 6 to over 6 GB full iPadOS 16 upgrade.

In addition, you sure you are not running Beta iPadOS software?

My own iPad is still currently running iPadOS 15.7.1 and I have no notification for an iPadOS 15.7.2, but I DO have s notification for the iPadOS 16.1.1 upgrade.

Also, you can use a backup from an eairlier version of an iOS/iPadOS version when upgrading to any newer version of software.

I do this ALL the time, using an older Mac with iTunes, when doing iOS/iPadOS upgrades/updates and been able to recover my data when things went wrong, which, lately, has happened more often with my own family’s devices.

You have it backward.

You cannot restore a backup from a newer version iOS/iPadOS to an iOS/iPadOS device with an older version.

If your iPad is NOT getting an over-the-air notification to upgrade to iPadOS 16, then use of s Mac or Windows PC is unavoidable now.

If you have access to a full computer, like a Mac or Windows PC, try either using the Finder on a Mac that has the newest macOS Catalina, or later macOS, installed OR with an older Mac with an older Mac OS, download and install the latest iTunes version ( or latest iTunes for Windows PC ), make sure the Mac or Windows PC is connected to the Internet, connect your iPad by the USB charge cable to the computer and let the iTunes application upgrade/update that iPad model, using the iTunes Software Update feature, to its current, maximum iPadOS 16.1.1.

Make sure your iPad is, at least, charged to 50% or greater to attempt this.

Also, make sure your iPad has, at least, between 6-8 GBs of free internal data storage space for downloading and installing a major iOS/iPadOS upgrade.

Make sure your desktop/laptop computer has plenty of internal drive storage space, also.

Also, make sure to do a backup of your iPad's data, prior to upgrading/updating.

Backup to Apple iCloud and/or a full Mac or Windows PC using the same iTunes app OR, if a newer Mac running macOS Catalina, or later, making a backup using the macOS Finder app.

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

If NO access to a Mac or Windows computer, you will have to seek help from a good friend or family member, with a full Mac or Windows PC, to help you out

OR

Search online to locate and call contact your nearest, “local” Apple Store location to try/attempt to make an appointment to get your Apple iPad upgraded/updated to its latest iPadOS 15 version.

OR, alternatively, use the “Get Support” link, at the upper right hand corner of every Apple Support Community Webpage to attempt to schedule an appointment with your nearest Apple Store location.

Apple Store employees will be glad to help/assist you.

Best of Luck to You!

My 2015/2016 iPad Pro has not receieved any notification of an iPadOS 15.7.2 update.

When was this iPadOS 15.7.2 update reported and installed by you?

My iPad is, currently, showing an upgrade/update to iPadOS 16.1.1. It is,,currently, on iPadOS 15.7.1.

Is this Windows version of iTunes up to date?

I am not sure what is happening here.

I know that Apple, sometime very, VERY soon will be releasing iPadOS 16.2.

So, I am not sure if this might be the reason iTunes is not reporting any iPadOS 16 upgrades/updates,,at this time.

Not sure.

I would advise, at this time, reaching out to Apple support.

Best of Luck to You!

Your iPad is completely full of data!

A 64 GBs storage iPad starts out with approx. 60 GBs.,after initial internal flash drive formatting.

Minus approx. 6.5 GBs for iOS/iPadOS leaves between 53-54 GBs.

Minus 3-6 GBs, for iOS/iPadOS system operational reserve, that MUST BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES, to ensure/insure normal, expected operation of iOS/iPad OS, leaves approx. between 48-50 GBs of actual, usable data storage space.

Your iPad is nearly full

You need to free up free, internal data storage space on that iPad.

You need to start by backing up your iPad to either Apple's iCloud ( you may need to pay for additional, monthly storage space ) or by connecting your iDevice to a an older Mac or Windows PC computer running the latest iTunes or, if a newer Mac with a much newer macOS, like macOS Catalina, or later, use the macOS Finder to do the device backup and/or use some other offsite, “cloud” data storage/backup services, like Google Drive/Photos, BOX, DropBox, Amazon Cloud Drive, Flickr ( for photos/images ), etc.

Then, delete any installed apps that you no longer use or use infrequently enough that they aren't missed (you can always reinstalled any purchased or free apps at some time later, as you need them).

In addition, uninstall any games that appear to be using a sizable chunk of your iPad's internal storage, as well!

Then, thin out/delete any music/videos/movies/TV shows/podcasts/screen recordings/photos-images/eBooks/

eMagazine/iBooks/audio books/Documents/PDFs, etc.

If you use a POP email account on your iPad, delete/thin out any old saved emails that maybe saved to your iPad.

To permanently delete photos/images off of your iDevice go into the Photos app and find the Recently Deleted folder/album and permanently delete any photos/images stored in that folder/album.

Also, you can check to see what other stuff is eating up all your valuable data storage space by going into the Settings App,,General Settings Panel, in the right hand column, tap Storage & iCloud usage panel ( in iOS 11 and later, it’s now called iPad Storage ), in the top Storage Panel, tap the Manage Storage panel, wait for a list of apps to generate that will tell you how much space each app is taking up on your iDevice.

Then, for older iPad models with a Home button, do a hard reset/forced restart of your iPad by holding down both the Home and sleep/wake buttons simultaneously until your iPad goes to black and restarts with Apple logo, then release the buttonsOR

For much newer, larger screen iPad models, without a Home button, try the new hard reset/forced restart procedure for the new 2018/2020 iPad Pro and iPad Air 4 models.

1. Press and release the volume button closest to the top Power button.

2. Then immediately press and release the Volume button farthest from the top Power button.

3. Then, press and hold the sleep/wake/power button at the top. You will see the Slide to Power off button, but keep on holding down the power button until you see the Apple logo, then let it go.

Once you have performed all the steps, wait for a few seconds and your 2018 iPad Pro will boot up completely to the iPad Pro’s Lock screen.

ALL iOS/iPadOS devices need to maintain, at the very least, a minimum of between 3-6 GBs of free data storage space, AT ALL TIMES, to insure normal/nominal functionalities/operation and general overall performance of any iOS device running iOS/iPadOS.

If not all of this solves your iPad storage issues, your ONLY other option is to do a complete backup, erase and restore of your iPad model.

Tap the Apple support links below.

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

Good Luck to You!