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Upgrade iPad iOS 5.1.1 to iOS 6

My iPad is the original first generation. The OS is iOS 5.1.1. How can I get it upgraded to iOS 6?

Posted on Jul 8, 2013 6:32 AM

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204 replies

Nov 28, 2013 12:20 AM in response to tytang

At least Apple needs to fix Safari. As many have reported it crashes constantly, and Chrome isn't any better as it probably uses the WebKit-SDK too (in other words, the same web-renderer as Safari).


The iPad 1 quickly diminish to a web-reader for news etc as more and more apps don't follow, and therefore Safari MUST work. It is THE most important app on IPad 1.


Unfortunately I don't even thing Apple reads this, or even WANT to read it.... Sad but true!

Nov 28, 2013 5:13 AM in response to Phil0124

"Like trying to install Windows 7 on an old Pentium 4 machine wth 512MB ram. Can you do it sure, can irn function correctly? Probably not".

The diffrence is it CAN be done, i had a P4 @3GHZ with win 7 and t ran fine, also, you said the ipad 1 cannot surport IOS 6, lemme ask you this, why does the iphone 3GS have 256MB of RAM and a 600mhz CPU?, the ipad 1 has the same memory as the 3GS and a 1ghz CPU, and you say it cannot run it?, yet the 3GS can?

Nov 28, 2013 6:15 AM in response to RYANST17

Unfortunatly its not us the users who claims this, its Apple! We are just the people who bought this product in good faith yet it doesnt do what its supposed to without crashing. One of their so called "Genius" said himself that its a hardware issue which means to me that its their fault/problem and not ours.

If I go to the diagnostics & usage data in my settings, the ipads software/update seems to think its an IPHONE running 5.1.1.

Nov 28, 2013 8:02 AM in response to RYANST17

The 3Gs got a severely limited version of iOS6 missing a bunch of features. It was also reported to be quite slow and overall not a pleasant experience.


Now think about the iPad with the same amount of RAM a larger screen which will demand more Ram to be allocated to video display. Even with the faster processor the experience wasn't going to be functional. And then people would complain like they complain now with iOS7 on an iPhone 4 that the iOS is laggy, and slow and again is missing some features.


Is that really the experience you want?


But again, how is the lack of an update affecting the functionality of the iPad? Mine still works just fine. All the Apps function and I can still download quite a few. I just recently downloaded the CBS APP, and I've been looking at many other apps and many of them still only require iOS 5, and even some have iOS4 as a base requirement.

Dec 2, 2013 8:45 AM in response to tytang

Apple staff


I just want to read a book from Amazon on my iPad1 but the Kindle App only runs on IOS6 ...

I have a perfectly good Ipad, but by stupidity of Apple developer I cannot read a digital book at him!

Apple need to create shame in the face and make a slight IOS6 for Ipad1 or keep important applications in IOS5 version ...

And still recommend that I send a Ipad1 (that play perfectly fine) to the trash and buy the Ipad 2 ...

If Steve Jobs were alive Apple would not do **** like this ...

Already happened once, Steve left and Apple lost the notion that his client cannot be make an idiot and Apple almost went down to the drain ...

This Ipad1 case shows again that Apple without Jobs return to the same vein: think their customers are suckers!

Dec 2, 2013 9:58 AM in response to corbeilt

Corbeilt, you said you "just opened the Kindle app on my iPad 1". Does that mean you had already download it? Or does that mean you _never_ had the app installed and are downloading it for the first time? Please note that this issue occurs ONLY if you have never had the app installed before on _any_ device or downloaded it via iTunes first.


As far as "A recent nice feature is the app store allowing downloads of the most recent compatible version." -- yes I agree that is a nice feature that the app store has, HOWEVER, the only problem is you must first download the app via iTunes and THEN you'll get the offer to download the most recent one "...that is compatile with your os...". Kind of a hassle if you ask me. Maybe the app store app would have to be updated as well? Hopefully IT (meaning the app store app) doesnt require iOS6!!!


Geez Apple, what gives man / woman?

Dec 2, 2013 10:20 AM in response to alfredfromhialeah

Ok, granted, I've had that app on my iPad for a while. But I know that I've downloaded apps from the app store recenlty that gave me the option of downloading the most recent compatible version but I guess I didn't make note of whether they were already in my iTunes or not. I don't think they were but I don't remember which apps it happened on.


Don't get me wrong, I'm totally on board that it was only a business decision to not upgrade the original iPad. And worse, to tie cool new features of apps to the OS rather than the app itself. I mean c'mon, do I really need newer hardware (both on iPad and my C2D Mac Mini) to sync my Messages between devices? Sheesh.

Dec 2, 2013 10:27 AM in response to corbeilt

Do you or does anyone know how to download the version of the App Store that supports the feature of "here is the latest compatible with your iOS" (paraphrased) without having to actually have downloaded the app on iTunes or another device before? (note: this will be the case for _all_ users that never had an apple product nor an apple id.)

Dec 2, 2013 10:30 AM in response to spooki

Spooki, for me (well actually my son because he inherited my iPad) everything you seem to do that involves graphics rendering crashes the _any_ app. I've seen this in Safari, Chrome, App Store, Twitter, Facebook, _____, fill in the blank.


This will continue to plague everyone and only get worse. When apps release updates and they don't cover iOS 5.x thats when the pain is really going to begin. Any app that talks to server will potentially have problems, especially if the API's change and we are left without the capability of updating our client side.

Dec 8, 2013 5:52 AM in response to Barb954

Apparently, nothing! Oh sorry, I was offered a refurbished ipad1 for £200 by a 'Genius'.

I've since bought a refurbished Ipad4 which has the same problem! It doesn't do it as much and is A LOT faster, but still does it. Why?

I love my iPad and don't want to lose it completely but it's REALLY ANNOYING!!!! Come on Apple. I can buy a big heavy laptop for less money but I like the convenience.

Dec 9, 2013 1:50 PM in response to tytang

Well, I have a first generation iPad which I now discover cannot upgrade beyond 5.1.1. I wanted to install Instagram, which states on its website on http://help.instagram.com/513067452056347

"Instagram v2.0 and later versions are supported on iOS 4.2.1 and above" and yet, when I try to install the Instagram app, pop up windows says I need 6.0. So no Instagram!

I might have to trade it in for a new one, because facebook hasn't worked properly on my first gen for a couple of years now. It keeps crashing Safari. I can always donate my old one to a kindergarden so the kids can doodle.

Upgrade iPad iOS 5.1.1 to iOS 6

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