how can i update my ipad 10.3?

The tags indicates you have an iPad with iOS 10.3.x installed. If you cannot update beyond iOS 10.3.3/4, you have an iPad (4th generation).

The iPad cannot update to iOS 11 or later due to your internal hardware being too old to support it.

Apple ended major software update support for the iPad in September 2017 - although Apple received security updates - with the most recent being iOS 10.3.4, released July 2019 for cellular models.

App developers have dropped support for 32-bit devices and those preceding iOS 11/12/13/14 in the apps, making the usability of your iPad limited.

The iPad is almost 11 years old.

All models from 2017 or later (except iPad 5th generation) are capable of supporting iPadOS 17.

You may consider buying a new iPad. Even the entry-level iPad 9 can run the latest iPadOS version, iPadOS 17.0.1.

Here is a list of unsupported iPads with max iPadOS supported:

Model             Architecture  Introduced       Max supported iPadOS
iPad 1            32-bit        April 2010       iOS 5.1.1
iPad 2            32-bit        March 2011       iOS 9.3.5/6
iPad 3            32-bit        March 2012       iOS 9.3.5/6 
iPad 4            32-bit        November 2012    iOS 10.3.3/4 <- Likely your iPad model
iPad 5            64-bit        March 2017       iPadOS 16.6.1
iPad Air 1        64-bit        November 2013    iOS 12.5.7
iPad Air 2        64-bit        October 2014     iPadOS 15.7.9
iPad mini 1       32-bit        November 2012    iOS 9.3.5/6
iPad mini 2       64-bit        November 2013    iOS 12.5.7
iPad mini 3       64-bit        October 2014     iOS 12.5.7
iPad mini 4       64-bit        September 2015   iPadOS 15.7.9
iPad Pro 12.9 (1) 64-bit        November 2015    iPadOS 16.7
iPad Pro 9.7      64-bit        March 2016       iPadOS 16.7

If your iPad is currently running, or cannot be updated beyond iOS 10.3.3/4, then have an iPad4.

Update support for iPad4 ended September 2017. The final iOS releases for this model were iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only models) and iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular). iPad4 cannot be updated to any later major version of iOS as it lacks the minimum hardware requirements needed to run more recent versions. The 32-bit platform upon which the iPad4 is based is obsolete.

App Developers have dropped all support for 32-bit devices and many for iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13 - and have withdrawn older versions of their Apps from the Apple App Store. Withdrawal of Apps supporting older models of iPad is making their utility and usefulness significantly more limited. Once compatible versions Apps are withdrawn, you’ll not be able (re)download or (re)install them.

If Apps that you need to use now have higher minimum iOS-version requirements than your iPad is capable, your only option is to replace your iPad with newer model. Of current models, even the entry-level iPad9 supports current iPadOS 16 - and has hardware specifications and capabilities that vastly outperform an old iPad4.

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 12.5.7

iPad Air2, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.7.9

iPad5, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" first generation) - iPadOS 16.7

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 17.0.1:

• iPad Pro 12.9" (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11" (1st generation and later)
• iPad Pro 10.5"
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad (6th generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)

To get a newer iOS version you need a newer iPad.