How do I update my iPad from ios4 to ios7?

Assuming you have an iPad 2 or newer

If your iDevice is using a version of iOS lower than 5, you will need to use iTunes on your syncing computer to perform the upgrade. Use the Apple link below as a guide for the upgrade.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4972

Also read the instructions from the section entitled "Update your device using iTunes" at the link below.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4623

Information regarding transferring purchases from your iDevice to iTunes on your syncing computer can be found at the link below.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1848

Update it from iTunes on a computer as described at the bottom of this article; there isn't a Software Update option in General on iOS versions prior to 5.0. It can only be updated directly to the newest iOS release supported by the device’s hardware, which is iOS 7.1.1 for devices with at least 512MB of RAM.

The maximum iOS version for the third generation iPod touch and original iPad is 5.1.1.

If you don't know what device you have, append the last three characters of its serial number to http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/?search_keywords= and load the page.

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 7.1.x

iPhone 4S iOS 7.1.x

iPhone 5 iOS 7.1.x

iPhone 5c iOS 7.1.x

iPhone 5s iOS 7.1.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 7.1.x

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

iPad 1 iOS 5.1.1

iPad 2 iOS 7.1.x

iPad 3 iOS 7.1.x

iPad 4 iOS 7.1.x

iPad Mini iOS 7.1.x

iPad Air iOS 7.1.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 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

In addition to the article I linked to above, click here and see the 'If you are attempting to update using a Mac or PC with which you do not normally sync' section. If iTunes reports that the device is up to date, that copy of iTunes is out of date or can't communicate with Apple's servers properly.

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Despite the advised links provided here back in 2014, support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204204 seems to be the redirected endpoint for all the links above that were presumably helpful at one point. That reference is totally useless as it assumes that you can get to iOS9 without wrecking the old iPad. We need a reference to the old helpful articles.