Update iPad 8th generation

An iPad8 can be updated to iPadOS 26.x - at the time of writing, the most recent release being iPadOS 26.7. The iPad8 does not support iPadOS 27 or later.

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.

For information, as of 14th September 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 15.8.8

iPad5*, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" 1st generation)* - iPadOS 16.7.16

iPad6, iPad Pro 12.9" 2nd generation*, iPad Pro 10.5" - iPadOS 17.7.11

iPad7 - iPadOS 18.7.10

iPad8, iPad Air3, iPad mini5, iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd generation), iPad Pro 11" (1st generation) - iPadOS 26.7

(*) obsolete

Newer models are all able to be upgraded to the current version - iPadOS 27 - or optionally for devices that have not yet been upgraded, can be updated to iPadOS 26.7:

• iPad Pro 13" (M4/M5)
• iPad Pro 12.9" (4th generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11" (2nd generation and later + M4/M5)
• iPad Air (4th generation and later + M2/M3/M4)
• iPad (9th generation and later + A16)
• iPad mini (6th generation and later + A17 Pro)

Dear SuperLaMu,

iPad 8th Generation is supported for all versions of iPadOS 26 but for iPadOS 27, Apple took a big step and dropped support for the iPad 8th Generation as it does not fulfill the necessary hardware requirement to support iPadOS 27 flawlessly without shutting down unexpectedly. iPad 8th Generation is powered by the Apple A12 Bionic chip, which does not have necessary hardware to support iOS 27. iOS 27 requires a chip A13 Bionic and above and an M1 chip and above for M-series iPad Air and Pro.

Hope u understand now.

Regards,

a***********_4

Apple Support Community Volunteer

I know that I CAN update to 26.7.1, but SHOULD I? Can my poor little 8th generation iPad make use of the features? How will it change the ways I generally use my device? I know I need to purchase a newer device, but that isn’t happening yet.

DoeknotNerd wrote: I know that I CAN update to 26.7.1, but SHOULD I? Can my poor little 8th generation iPad make use of the features? How will it change the ways I generally use my device? I know I need to purchase a newer device, but that isn’t happening yet.

Point updates should always be installed when available - as these updates include both functional enhancements and essential security updates for your iPad. A major version update may add completely new capabilities and features for you iPad.

Whether or not you choose to perform an update is a decision that only you can make. As you have not mentioned the version of iPadOS currently installed - or your prior experience with iPad and iPadOS - it is difficult for contributors here to provide any assessment as to any changes that you may observe. That said, It is safe to say that Apple will only release a major version update for any device that is deemed capable of using its features.

Your iPad is too old for iPadOS27, if that is the version you are referring to. It is compatible with with 9th generation and later.

You can also find the complete list of all iPad models compatible with iPadOS 27 in the iPad User guide:

iPad models compatible with iPadOS 27 - Apple Support