Is it risky to use 1st generation iPad?

I still own and use a 2010, 1st gen iPad ( NOT online, as no Web browser tbat old really works with today’s modern Internet/Web and there is no real security for such old Web browsers.

Nothing wrong with thr battery, yet, and still charges up normally as it should.

You need to consider that it is past mid 2023, now.

iPadOS 16.5.1 is here. Soon to come, iPadOS 17.

These nearly 9 to 10-year old, iOS 12 iPad models are coming to the full end of their support life.

These iPad models are four OS iterations behind, now. Soon to be five OS iterations behind.

You really need to seriously consider a purchase of a new iPad model OR a much, MUCH “newer” and less expensive, refurbished or used iPad models, from better known, trusted sources, like other Apple product/device retailers/resellers, some locally or from online, on the Web/Internet, capable of running the latest iPadOS versions.

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

If you need OR ONLY able to afford to purchase older, less expensive iPad models, look at older IPads from 2017 and later.

All of these older model iPads below CAN, currently, run the latest releases of iPadOS 16 AND the up and coming iPadOS 17.

2017, 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2017, 10.5 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2018 11 inch or 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 2nd gen Pencil support )

2020 11 inch or 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 2nd gen Pencil support )

2017, 9.7 inch screen iPad 5th gen models ( NO Pencil support ) (up and coming iPadOS 17 NOT supported )

2018, 9.7 inch screen iPad 6th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2019, 10.2 inch screen iPad 7th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2020, 10.2 inch screen iPad 8th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2020, 10.2 inch screen iPad 8th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2021, 10.2 inch screen iPad 9th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2018, 11 inch or 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 2nd gen Pencil support )

2019, 10.5 inch screen iPad Air 3rd gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2021 10.9 inch screen iPad Air 4th gen models ( 2nd gen Pencil support )

2019, 7.9 inch screen iPad Mini 5th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2021 8.3 inch screen iPad Mini 6th gen models ( 2nd gen Pencil support )

Get the largest internal data storage model you can afford as NO Apple iOS device has ANY expandable storage.

I am sorry that you had to learn all of this, but this does not change any of the facts regarding these old iOS devices.

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

If you are referring to a 2010 1st gen iPad, while that old an iPad ( if still working as it should ) can still be used, its usefulness online is extremely limited and if there are no apps on this old an iPad, there are no more tbir party aops for such old iPad models.

If you are referring to old 2013 iPad Air 1 ( “A” model number A1474/1475/1476 ), iPad Mini 2 ( “ A” model number A1489/1490/1491 ) and the 2014 iPad Mini 3 ( “A” model number A1599/1600/1601 ) cannot upgrade beyond any version of iOS 12.

These iPad modelw are too old.

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 the newest iPadOS versions.

These iPad models are nearly 9 and 10-years old, now, in 2023.

Sorry.

Third party app support, typically, continues for 2-3 years AFTER Apple ends full support of a subset of their devices.

The last major update to iOS 12 was in 2019, with iOS 12.3.

Apple has stopped issuing any major iOS 12 updates for these very old iPad models and have been ONLY issuing security, “point” updates for the past few years.

It is well past the three year mark and third party app iOS 12 support/compatibility has been on a quick and steady, downward/decline trend for all iOS 12 supported devices.

Many popular third party apps are no longer available to 9 to 10-year old iPad models that are, permanently, stuck at some version of iOS 12, or earlier iOS version.

Look for many more third party apps dropping support for all iOS 12 supported devices as the 2023 year progresses to its end.

The immediately above statement is what you really need to worry about.

In addition, all of the various iOS 12 Web browsers, that were once available for these older iPad models, should still be safe to use for a while longer, you can still use that iPad the way it has always been used, but know that 9 to 10-year old iPad models will no longer have access to any current apps.

That older Safari Web browser may, or may not, be too old old to access certain types of Website, as well.

Compatible third party Web browsers for over nearly 10-12 year old iPad models are few, now.

Here are few third party Web browsers left, to look at, in the iOS App Store, that are still getting regular updates and are still compatible with your iOS 12 iPad year and model.

Alook Web browser

iCab mobile Web browser

Opera Web browser.

Plus, no way to know when Apple will cut off all security support for these nearly 9 and 10-year old devices.

Apple may have very well already ended any future point security updates for such old iPad models

Also, the internal, rechargeable batteries in these old iPads are, also, running on borrowed time.

Not worth the costs to replace these old internal, rechargeable batteries in these old iPads, any longer, either.

Also, these very old iPad models have NO real trade-in nor any resale value, either.

Sorry.

If you decide to go down the path of purchasing used, secondhand Apple devices, from individual Apple device sellers, here is how to avoid purchasing an Apple iOS/iPadOS device with user activation lock, in the future.

If you purchase any iPad, or any Apple iOS device, for that matter, used/second hand, online, or even in-person, make sure this iPad does NOT have user activation lock and has been properly reset for sale.

A properly reset for sale iPad should initially power up to an animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen.

DO NOT take the iPad seller's word that this iPad is user activation lock free!

We have seen plenty of used iOS device purchasers get scammed.

User Activation Lock can never be bypasss, circumvented or worked around IF there is no correct previous/original user information to be able to do so.

Apple doesn't get involved with ANY user activation locked, used/second-hand sold devices, either.

So, buyer beware!

If purchasing a used device in-person, power the iPad ON

If the iPad DOES NOT display the initial animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen, then pass on purchasing this iPad.

If the iPad powers up to any other screen, then forget purchasing this iPad.

You cannot trust that the seller actually has the correct needed info to properly reset the iPad back to factory settings right then and there before the actual purchase and exchange of money for the iPad, in question.

Pass on the device!

If you are purchasing this used iPad online ask the seller to provide multiple images, either online or be sent to you via email, showing this animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen of the interested in purchasing iPad model.

Even better, ask for a short video be sent to you showing this animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen, in action and in its entirety, posted to the online ad or emailed to you.

If the online iPad seller refuses any of these requests, pass on the iPad. DO NOT buy!

Good Luck to You!

I wouldn’t say no apps working. I’m using an original iPad from that time to borrow and read ebooks with Borrowbox, and I watch Netflix perfectly on it using the Netflix app with only a SIM card with only 3G internet. The only thing I’ve tried to use it for that hasn’t worked is the YouTube app

Very. The battery may explode when you charge it!

Where did you find that information?

How many facilities is not providing by apple,

ipad air 1st genration