Update security only iPad iOS 14.8 iPhone iOS 15.4

iOS/iPadOS16 has introduced a new Rapid Response Updates - that provide a mechanism whereby an emerging threat/vulnerability can be addressed without releasing a full system software update. This feature is not available to devices that at are running earlier versions of iOS/iPadOS.

About Rapid Security Responses for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS - Apple Support

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

Settings > General > About

iPhone

Here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by recent models of iPhone (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number), older devices being restricted in their ability to be updated:

iOS16.5

iPhone 14 (all models)

iPhone 13 (all models)

iPhone 12 (all models)

iPhone 11 (all models)

iPhone X, XR, XS

iPhone 8 (all models)

iPhone SE2/SE3

iOS 15.7.6

iPhone 7 (all models)

iPhone 6S (all models)

iPhone SE1

iOS 12.5.7

iPhone 6

iPhone 5S

iOS 10.3.4/3

iPhone 5/5C

iPad

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 12.5.7

iPad Air2, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.7.6

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version, iPadOS 16.5

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