iPad mini 3 unable to download iOS 17

The iPad mini 3 is supported on iOS 12, and no later. There are no supported upgrades past that.

For the rest of the question:

Here is what to do: If your iPhone or iPad was stolen - Apple Support

You can also use Find My by logging into your Apple Account at https://icloud.com/find

Lost and stolen devices may not be shown in the Find My service. This inability to locate can have various causes, including no communications available, the device has been disassembled for parts, the device battery charge has depleted, and some other possibilities.

Devices that are likely stolen and cannot be tracked by Find My are not usually going to re-appear, either. You’re likely going to be replacing the reportedly-stolen iPhone, in these cases.

"iPad mini 3 unable to download iOS 17: I’m having so many problems I can’t even do it so I went to apple.com I went to the Support page I went to all types of things and I’m just trying to download this and I can’t do it what do I do I can’t even use my iPad to track my phone I lost my phone during Christmas and my watch I reported it stolen the Uber driver stole it I need help I need assistance please"

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Installing iPadOS17 on an iPac mini 3:

You Can't. Your device is not compatible with iPadOS 17. Only iPad 5 and iPad mini 6 are compatible with iOS17. See here: iPad Models Compatible with iPadOS 17 - Apple Support

Acebaca Said:

"Can I lease download 16.0 on the mini three please let me know"

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No. ‘Cause it ain’t gonna work: iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 are Compatible with these Devices - Apple Support

..Acebaca..

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

..Also points out details that make these no longer supported in Software or Repair..

Perhaps consider your obsolete iPad Mini 3 is well past-prime & was new in 2014/2015.

Depending on which model number and series; that may have been Wi-Fi, (or Cellular+

Wi-Fi) w/ different specs in each build year model series. Yours can upgrade to iOS 12.x

from its original iOS8.x. ~ So it's past Time to get newer one.

See chart & specs here to compare:

iOS version by Device -- iOS Ref

https://iosref.com/ios#ipad

While supported 'Vintage' ones may still be able to upgrade to at least iOS 15.8.3.

(Yours might upgrade to iOS 12.x. Could be reason why yours won't go iOS 16/17.)

•iPad mini 3 (Wi-Fi Only) 16, 64, 128 GB Specs (A1599, MGNV2LL/A*, 2848*, iPad4,7): EveryiPad.com

•Pad mini 3 (Wi-Fi/Cellular) 16, 64, 128 GB Specs (A1600, MH3F2LL/A*, 2849*, iPad4,8): EveryiPad.com

How to update iPad mini 3 to iOS 15? - Apple Community

//discussions.apple.com/thread/253215989? (ASC: 10/2021)

My 'iPad Mini 1' runs iOS9.3.5 tops, wi-fi only, and works so-so.

But can't hardly do much; as it is, only works with base station.