Unable to upgrade iPad to a newer version

Unfair?

Apple typically provides system software updates for an industry-leading five to seven years from initial release of the iPad model, sometimes longer.

As technology and Operating Systems steadily make greater demands upon device hardware, a time comes when the hardware is simply too old to cope with current software. Additionally, as older devices become fewer and fewer in number as they are inevitably replaced, it becomes uneconomic for hardware to continue to be supported by its manufacturer. Third-party App Developers will also have dropped support for devices that can no longer support their currently available Apps.

If your iPad is no longer eligible for software updates, it is one of many devices that due to the passage of time is now obsolete. As such, your options are limited - and ultimately will require replacement with a much newer or current model iPad.

For obsolete devices, trade-in may no longer be an available option. Selling privately is also unlikely to offer much in the way of financial return - as the device will be no more use to a potential buyer than it is to you.

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 12.5.8

iPad Air2*, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.8.6

iPad5*, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" 1st generation)* - iPadOS 16.7.15

iPad6, iPad Pro 12.9" 2nd generation*, iPad Pro 10.5" - iPadOS 17.7.10

iPad7 - iPadOS 18.7.5

(*) obsolete

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 26.3.1, or optionally if running iPadOS 18.x to iPadOS 18.7.6

• iPad Pro 13" (M4/M5)
• iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11" (1st generation and later + M4/M5)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later + M2/M3/M4)
• iPad (8th generation and later + A16)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later + A17 Pro)

In summary, if your iPad is not capable of update to a more recent version of iPadOS than is currently installed, should you wish to use Apps or services that require a higher version than your iPad is capable, your only option is to replace your iPad with a much newer or current model iPad.

1. Use Apple's trade-in program or sell it to someone else, and put the money you get (if any) towards a more-recent model.

2. This will eventually happen to all units, regardless of manufacturer. Companies add new features and release OS versions not compatible with older devices as technology develops.

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If Apple allowed older devices to run the newest OS version and the performance was dismal, the same people who wanted the newest OS on their device would be complaining that the performance was reduced and made the device unusable.

Consider using it as it is for as long as you can. Or as others have mentioned, trade it in or sell it. There's a reason Apple disqualifies iPads and other devices from newer iPadOS versions...that reason is that the hardware can not handle it and performance would suffer.

Ladyjay3 wrote:

So now what if I can’t upgrade newer version, should I just throw my iPad away and buy a new one? That is so not fair🥹

Why it is it "unfair"?

Apple first released the iPad Air 2 in October 2014 – about eleven and a half years ago. Given the rate of progress in computer technology, that is an eternity.

That iPad originally shipped with iOS 8.1, and can run the latest release of iPadOS 15, which means that it received seven major updates. But it only has 2 GB of RAM. All current iPads have 6 GB of RAM (iPad (A16)), or more.

In terms of speed, an iPad (A16) might be about twice as fast as an iPad Air 3. That's a slightly apples-to-oranges comparison. MacTracker doesn't have benchmark scores for your iPad Air 2 – and current iPad Airs use a M4 chip like the one in last year's MacBook Airs. So if we compared current M4 iPad Airs to your iPad Air 2, the difference might be closer to five times.

Hi,

You may trade in your iPad, not throwing it away :). Apple Trade In - Apple (MY)

It can convert into a Cash Credit which only can be used in Appel Store only.

If you downloaded app before, App Store will usually offer to download a "Last Compatible Version" that works perfectly on your Air 2.