Unable to update my iPad Pro 10.5 into iOS 18

Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than information published by Apple, nobody here has any insight into Apple’s definitive product and software support decisions or roadmap.

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 15.8.3

iPad5, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" 1st generation)* - iPadOS 16.7.10

iPad6, iPad Pro (10.5"/12.9" 2nd generation) - iPadOS 17.7

(*) obsolete

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 18.0.1 (17.7 optional)

• iPad Pro 13" (M4)
• iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11" (1st generation and later + M4)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later + M2)
• iPad (7th generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)

The iPad Pro 10.5" and iPad Pro 12.9" second generation, both feature the A10X CPU with 4GB RAM; neither model support iPadOS 18. By contrast, the iPad 7 (this being the lowest-specification device that does support iPadOS 18) has a lower-specification A10 CPU and 3GB RAM. Other devices capable of running iPadOS 18 have at least an A12 CPU or M-series SoC.

From a technical standpoint, the 10.5" and 12.9" second generation iPad Pro not being offered update to iPadOS 18 does appear to be a surprising oddity.

The iPad 7 was released September 2019 - whereas the 10.5" and 12.9" second generation iPad Pro were both released June 2017. History demonstrates that Apple generally support iPad major-version system software updates for five to seven years - after which time only point security updates are released.

These two iPad Pro models have reached the seven year threshold - whereas the iPad7 is "only" five years into its support lifecycle. Regrettably, loss of major update support for these models of iPad Pro does not appear to be a decision made on the basis of technical capability...

For owners of higher specification (but older) devices, this support decision by Apple may appear unjust. Apple does invite submission of comments and feedback via its Product Feedback portal. If you wish to offer comment in this regard to Apple, this would be the most appropriate channel to do so:

Feedback - iPad - Apple