How can I get iOS 6 on my first generation iPad?

You cannot. 5.1.1 is the last for that model.

See the chart below to determine whether you can upgrade your device and what you can upgrade to. If you do not have a Software Update option present on your iDevice, then you are trying to upgrade to iOS 5 or higher. You will have to connect your device to your computer and open iTunes in order to upgrade.

IPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad iOS Compatibility Chart

Device iOS Verson

iPhone 1 iOS 3.1.3

iPhone 3G iOS 4.2.1

iPhone 3GS iOS 6.1.x

iPhone 4 iOS 6.1.x

iPhone 4S iOS 6.1.x

iPhone 5 iOS 6.1.x

-------------------------------------------------------

iPod Touch 1 iOS 3.1.3

iPod Touch 2 iOS 4.2.1

iPod Touch 3 iOS 5.1.1

iPod Touch 4 iOS 6.1.x

iPod Touch 5 iOS 6.1.x

-------------------------------------------------------

iPad 1 iOS 5.1.1

iPad 2 iOS 6.1.x

iPad 3 iOS 6.1.x

iPad 4 iOS 6.1.x

iPad Mini iOS 6.1.x

=====================================

Select the method most appropriate for your situation.

Upgrading iOS

1. How to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

2. iPhone Support

3. iPod Touch Support

4. iPad Support

a. Updating Your iOS to Version 6.0.x from iOS 5

Tap Settings > General > Software Update

If an update is available there will be an active Update button. If you are current,

then you will see a gray screen with a message saying your are up to date.

b. If you are still using iOS 4 — Updating your device to iOS 5 or later.

c. Resolving update problems

1. iOS - Unable to update or restore

2. iOS- Resolving update and restore alert messages

I know this thread is old, but I recently had a hard time trying to install Netflix & also Flixster for Ultraviolet on my first generation iPad. SLihousttes is right.

Here are step-by-step instructions -- thanks to flambocious & pilotkausa in the thread below for the great advice! I was able to download older iOS 5.1.1-compatible apps easily, to stream movies & download my UV copies for offline viewing. Hope this helps.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5522665?tstart=0

1) Open iTunes on your desktop.

2) Go to the iTunes Store.

3) Search for the app you want (Netflix, Flixster, etc); download the app to your desktop.

4) Open App Store on your iPad.

5) Click on “Purchased.” Find the newly downloaded app on your list, and click “Install.” App Store will ask you: "Download an older version of this app. The current version requires iOS 6.0 or later, but you can download the last compatible version." Just click "Download" and you’re ready to go. You can install any app like that.

If it's just technical and not about forcing us to buy new iPads then why can't we download Apps that are compatible with OS 5.1.1? What are we supposed to do with our perfectly functional 1st Generation iPads?

Doesn't seem like such a garbage rumor in that context, does it.

What are those technical reasons? Are you able to explain it?

I'm trying to look to specific reasons in the release notes and official manuals, but no sucess. Maybe I'm reading the wrong reference.

Kind regards.

Sorry folk, this is not an technical statement for me.

Which IOS 6 algorithms requires additional hardware resources that is not available in the iPad 1?

The iPad hardware looks really good for me yet. I can't figure out (yet) which software components of IOS 6 or later are unable to run in iPad 1 due resources limitations. You see?

Pls, technical statement in depth are expected here.. Am I in the wrong forum?

arthur.r.oliveira wrote:

Sorry folk, this is not an technical statement for me.

Which IOS 6 algorithms requires additional hardware resources that is not available in the iPad 1?

The iPad hardware looks really good for me yet. I can't figure out (yet) which software components of IOS 6 or later are unable to run in iPad 1 due resources limitations. You see?

Yes, I see that you want information that is not publicly available. Apple has not released info specifically which components of iOS haave been change for a later iOS.

Pls, technical statement in depth are expected here.. Am I in the wrong forum?

Yes, you are in the wrong forum.

None of these Apple forums will assist you with this info (because it's irrelevant and out of scope).

Apple may choose to not explain why technical specifications prevent upgrading my iPad1, but I get to choose not to invest in another one if I think the return on investment is poor. Given that my employer-provided Android phone does everything that I bought my obsolete iPad1 for, I won't be throwing another several hundred bucks at a new iPad, and that is relevant and within the scope of this thread.

but I get to choose not to invest in another one if I think the return on investment is poor.

Correct.

I won't be throwing another several hundred bucks at a new iPad, and that is relevant and within the scope of this thread.

Okay.

Good luck!

While it isn't something you can see, there are significant differences between releases of pieces of equipment like the iPad. As such, each piece of software designed for said equipment must be tested on each release. You can't just test the software on the iPad 4 - you must test it on the iPad 3, the iPad 2, the iPad 1, etc.

A piece of code might work with the iPad 2, the iPad 3, and the iPad 4, but because the hardware wasn't advanced enough at the time, not the iPad 1. This kind of thing happens A LOT. Now, altering the code slightly for the iPad 1 could fix the issue, but would add complexity to the software as a whole. Eventually, the software becomes so complex that it becomes difficult to maintain. Companies that try to do this start to fall behind their competitors as they spend too much time fixing issues instead of inventing new features.

And support is an issue as well. You have to maintain a staff of persons familiar with the older hardware, allocate time to fixing issues that are specific to that hardware, etc.

For all these reasons, computer companies have to draw the line of support somewhere so that they can concentrate on new software and hardware.

For the most part, companies like Microsoft have tried to give their products significant life. It supported Windows XP 10+ years after its release. This trend is dying though - Microsoft "intends" on dropping of supported for Windws 7 much sooner. This isn't necessarily to push users to Windows 8 for money as it is to get most users on Windows 8 to allow them to do the same as Apple - to limit their support of antiquated hardware so as not to fall behind in supporting new equipment.

As the iPad is only 4 years old, it's sad to see that the industry moving to antiqate hardware so soon anymore, but that's likely going to be the trend for years to come.

I am not happy about the lack of further updates for the iPad 1. I purchased mine about three years ago and it still runs great. I have no reason to go buy a newer version besides that it is no longer getting iOS updates. Why can't apple continue iOS support, and let devs decide for themselves what versions of the iPad to release apps for? This was already happening anyway. I have enjoyed my iPad but this is probably enough to deter me from buying an iPad again...

Developers have decided; they decdied on iOS 6; they like Apple feel it is a better use of resources to push the letter. You cannot blame apple for not wanting to go back ; the old iPad while a great device is simply hardware insufficent in supporting the software. If you've enjoyed your iPad; sell your old gen one and get a more updated one like the iPad retina display or iPad air and relive a better experience.

Go to the App Store, choose "Purchased", and you should see your backup apps.

Choose the app and download, it should ask you to download an earlier version, choose YES.

It works for the Kindle app. I haven't tested other apps.

I'm very disappointed in this. I have MS so watch a lot of on demand tv in bed. I wanted to watch a program on channel 4 OD and it says I need to iOS 6 to upgrade the 4OD app!!! I can't even use old version to watch!

So I did exactly as you suggested. I had to first upgrade to OS 5.1.1 because the "purchased" feature doesn't show up otherwise. Then, my list of purchased apps was there. The app developers still need to be offering the old versions of the apps, though. I was able to restore most of what I had on my iPad, and for the remaining ones I sent messages to the developers explaining the situation and asked them to make older versions of their apps available. If enough iPad1 owners start asking for older versions, they'll likely become available. Many of them probably just don't realize that the issue exists and are probably happy to resolve it.

Beyond that, I recommend installing every app you can think of or think you might be interested in before compatible versions are not available. For example, npr and netflix require iOS6 with no older versions available. Maybe they'll make them available, but that is unknown. Amazon shopping and video apps are still compatible with iOS 5.1.1 so download those before they change, and send messages to those that have.

I am a new apple user, and I just jot my i-pad I this month. I have tried more than 10 apps, but I can't install anyone. Every app that I am interested needs the new i-os. If I can't install any app, what can I do with my NEW i-pad I? How can I find the app for the old i-os?