Compromised iPad 9th generation needs upgrade

Providing that your iPad is kept up-to-date with system software updates, you should not be overly concerned for your iPad being directly compromised by malware. Due to the system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken, your iPad is not susceptible to traditional malware infection per-se.

It is generally recommended that you maintain at least 4-6GB of free space at all times - as your iPad needs some temporary space to complete many tasks. When performing system software updates, you may temporarily require more...

A system software update requires sufficient space to be downloaded, unpacked and verified prior to installation - major version updates (such as updating from iPadOS 18.x to iPadOS 26) requiring considerably more space than an incremental point-update. The required space, to perform an OTA update, is typically double the stated space for the installed update; after the update is successfully completed, temporary files are automatically deleted - returning free space.

If your internal storage is full, or is insufficient for the task that you need to perform, your only option is to better manage the storage that you have - and delete unused Apps or unneeded data. 

These support pages should prove to be helpful:

About storage on your device and in iCloud – Apple Support

What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? – Apple Support

Manage your iCloud storage – Apple Support

How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support

Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

“Offloading” Apps can be a helpful method of creating temporary space for a software update:

https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/21/how-to-offload-apps-in-ios-to-save-space-without-deleting-their-data/

Additional information about creating sufficient space for installation of a software update can be found here:

If you need more space for an update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

External storage options can often help with managing limited internal storage. Depending upon your iPad model, the iPad will either have a Lightning or USB-C port - and may therefore require either an Adapter or USB hub to connect the USB Storage device. If your iPad has a Lightning port, you’ll need an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter:

• Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A

Using a Mac computer or Windows PC can help with system software updates - as the update package is initially downloaded to the computer, unpacked and verified by the computer, prior to the computer installing the updated system software on the target device. If you don't have a suitable working computer of your own, there is an alternative...

Ensure that you have an iCloud backup of your iPad. With the iPad safely backed-up to iCloud, you can then completely erase the iPad. With no user-data present, you should be able to update the iPad; once updated, you can restore your iCloud backup to the iPad.

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Erase all content and settings:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content & Settings

After the reset, set-up the iPad with your AppleID - but do not restore the backup. Perform the system software update using whichever method works for you.

Finally, restore the backup to your iPad:

Restore all content to iPad from a backup - Apple Support

Part 3 - Malware

To reiterate, providing that your iPad is kept up-to-date with system software updates, you should not be overly concerned for your iPad being directly compromised by malware. Due to the system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken, your iPad is not susceptible to traditional malware infection per-se. However, as with all computer systems, there are still vulnerabilities and exploits to which you potentially remain vulnerable...

For older devices, no longer benefiting from regular security updates, the risk of an unpatched vulnerability being exploited increases. Regardless of the installed version of iPadOS, there are useful mitigations that can be used to significantly reduce your exposure to risk.

If you have given your personal details to a malicious website, this may be the cause of attempted fraud. If necessary, change account passwords (including your AppleID Password) if you suspect that they may have been compromised. If you have cause to believe that your Apple Account (formerly known as your AppleID) has been compromised, follow the advice outlined here:

If you think your Apple ID has been compromised - Apple Support

If you have exposed your Credit Card details, you may wish to contact the Card Issuer - who may cancel and reissue your Card as a precaution.

Threat Mitigation

Other than malicious websites that will attempt to capture information that you willingly enter, the majority of threats to which you will be invariably exposed will surface via web pages or embedded links within email or other messaging platforms. Browser-based attacks can be largely and successfully mitigated by installing a good Content and Ad-blocking product. One of the most respected within the Apple App Store - explicitly designed for iPad, iPhone and Mac - is 1Blocker for Safari.

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1blocker-for-safari/id1365531024

1Blocker is highly configurable - and crucially does not rely upon an external proxy-service of dubious provenance, often utilised by so-called AntiVirus products intended for iOS/iPadOS. Instead, all processing by 1Blocker takes place on your device - and contrary to expectations, Safari will run faster and more efficiently.

Unwanted content is not simply filtered after download (a technique used by basic/inferior products), but instead undesirable embedded content is blocked from download. The 1Blocker product has also recently introduced its new “Firewall” functions - that are explicitly designed to block “trackers”. Being implemented at the network-layer, this additional protection works across all Apps. Recent updates to 1Blocker has introduced additional network extensions, extending protection to other Apps.

A further to improve protection from exploits is to use a security focussed DNS Service in preference to automatic DNS settings. This can either be set on a per-device basis in Settings, or can be set-up on your home Router - and in so doing extends the benefit of this specific protection to other devices on your local network. I suggest using one of the following DNS services - for which IPv4 and IPv6 server addresses are listed:

Quad9 (recommended)

9.9.9.9

149.112.112.112

2620:fe::fe

2620:fe::9

OpenDNS

208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

2620:119:35::35

2620:119:53::53

Cloudflare

1.1.1.1

1.0.0.1

2606:4700:4700::1111

2606:4700:4700::1001

Security focused DNS providers intentionally "sink hole" known bad or malicious websites and resources - this providing an additional layer of protection beyond that provided by your device and its Operating System. These DNS services will, when used alongside 1Blocker or other reputable Content Blocker, provide defence in depth.

There are advanced techniques to further “harden” iOS/iPadOS (such as using DoH, DoT and DNSSEC). Apple has introduced its Private Relay service for its iCloud+ subscribers - this in part employing ODoH (a variant of DoH) as an element of this new functionality. If you have subscribed to iCloud+, and have a device capable of running iOS/iPadOS 15.x or later, this feature is available to you.

I hope that the three parts to my reply are of some help to you - as each addresses a separate aspect of your difficulties and concerns. Working through them will hopefully help with resolution - and perhaps offer some useful learning.

-LP

Part 2 - iPadOS Updates

Whether or not you are able to update your 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.

As of 22nd April 2026, 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 15.8.7

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 18.7.8

(*) obsolete

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 26.4.2

• 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)

An iPad9, if this is the model that you have, is capable of update to the most recent version of iPadOS - at the time of writing, this being iPadOS 26.4.2.

If your iPad is capable of update to a more recent version of iOS/iPadOS than is currently installed, these support pages outline both the available methods by which the update can be performed - and troubleshooting should you experience difficulties:

Update your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch won’t update - Apple Support

iOS update and restore errors – Apple Support

Be aware that while an iPad may be capable of update, in some circumstances you may need to use a computer to perform the update*. To do so, you will need access to either a Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed - or the more recent Apple Devices App) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS). Ensure that your installed version of iTunes has been updated to the most recent version; the essential device drivers are included.

Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support

Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support

Update software on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch in iTunes on PC - Apple Support

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with the Finder - Apple Support

Apple Devices App (Windows PC):

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9np83lwlpz9k?hl=en-ms&gl=MS

(*) If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. Alternatively, the technicians at the Genius Bar of your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) will be delighted to assist.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

If you have a beta profile installed, ensure this has been removed from your iPad - as, otherwise, installation of production software updates may be inhibited. This support page provides the necessary information to remove the beta from your iPad:

How to uninstall iOS beta software - Apple Support

You should note that for your iPad to install an available update, its battery must be charged to at least 50% capacity - and/or be connected to its Power Adapter. Similarly, the iPad can only be updated over a standard WiFi connection - or be updated by a PC or Mac using iTunes or Finder - over a USB connection.

PandPz wrote:

No, I haven’t been using a compromised device for 9 years…. Any electronic device I purchase becomes tainted almost instantly.

[Edited by Moderator]

then maybe the issue is not as much with the electronic device as your account?

If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support

You’ve been using a compromised device for 9 years? Why didn’t you just get rid of it?

But I’m really confused, because the iPad (9th generation) didn’t exist before September 2021, so it couldn’t have had problems since 2017.

Unless your understanding of “compromised” is different from mine. I take it to mean your iPad is hacked, which is pretty much impossible.