I have a 5th gen iPad, 9.7” and when I want to download some apps that I want to use strictly on my iPad, the App Store tells me, “You must have iOS 18 or higher. My iPad is at 16 or so and won’t update any higher. Why is this? Is my iPad too old or am I?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPad, iPadOS 16
If you need to install Apps that require a more recent version of iPadOS than your iPad os capable of support, you have no alternative other than to replace your iPad with a much newer or current iPad model.
For information, 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:
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 17.7.3
(*) obsolete
Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 18.2
If you need to install Apps that require a more recent version of iPadOS than your iPad os capable of support, you have no alternative other than to replace your iPad with a much newer or current iPad model.
For information, 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:
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 17.7.3
(*) obsolete
Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 18.2
Well, your device (not you) is too old.
See this compatibility chart:
iPad 5th gen incompatible with iPadOS 18 apps
