my iPad is using OS15.8.2. My apps are telling me to upgrade. My pad says it is up to date. Can I ujpdate to OS 18

With iPsdOS 15.8.2 installed, you will have either an iPad Air2, or an iPad mini4. Neither of these models support iPadOS 16 or later.

Whilst many App titles remain compatible with your iPad, if you want or need to access to Apps requiring a more recent versions of iPadOS than you iPad is capable, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model that supports iPadOS 16/17.

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 15.8.2

iPad5, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" first generation) - iPadOS 16.7.8

(*) obsolete

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 17.5.1

• iPad Pro 13" (M4)
• iPad Pro 12.9" (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11" (1st generation and later + M4)
• iPad Pro 10.5"
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later + M2)
• iPad (6th generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)

No. An unit on 15.7.3 through 15.8.2 isn't capable of 16 or above.

(253695)

At this point your iPad is becoming obsolete as far as its ability to continue to use apps as those apps start to stop supporting the iPadOS version you are on. Once this happens you will need to upgrade to a newer iPad that can support the minimum update that is still supported. This doesn’t mean updating to the newest iPads necessarily but you will want to get one that is likely to have more time of support to avoid running into this same issue quicker.