How to update iPad Air 2 beyond iOS 12?

You can update an iPad Air 2 to the latest release of iPadOS 15. Since your iPad is not offering you that option, it's very likely that you have misidentified your iPad.

I would guess that you have the original iPad Air. You can update an original iPad Air to the latest release of iOS 12. You cannot update an original iPad Air to iPadOS 13 or higher.

Since Zoom requires iPadOS 13 or higher, if you have the original iPad Air, there is no way to update that iPad to run the current version of Zoom.

The Air2 is capable of update to iPadOS 15.8.x; the Air2 fundamentally does not support iPadOS16 or later. By contrast, a first generation iPad Air cannot be updated beyond iOS 12.5.7.

Whilst many App titles remain compatible with your iPad, if you want or need to access to Apps requiring a more recent version of iPadOS than your iPad is capable, your only option is to replace your iPad with a much newer or current model.

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.

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:

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 17.7.5

(*) obsolete

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 18.3.1

• 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 + A17 Pro)

MATEO970 wrote:

Information on here says that I should be able to update the iOS to at least 15.xxx but the settings show it up to date and it will not give me an option to update past 12.xxx that it currently has operating. I need to download a new update for ZOOM and it will not allow it to go to 12.xxx version. How do I update the iOS?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

IF you go to settings - general - software update - and it says you're up to date, then you have the latest IOS and can't update any further.

You will need to upgrade to a newer ipad to get the latest ios.