How can I tell if my iPad is too old to update to 11?

Hi. Or look at this link: iOS 11 is compatible with these devices - Apple Support and skip the long hype.

Hello, to find out if your iPad is compatible with IOS 11.0 go to this website and scroll down to the very bottom . iOS 11 - Apple

If your iPad is a 2nd generation, iPad 2 model,

The iPad 2, 3 and 1st generation iPad Mini are all ineligible and excluded from upgrading to iOS 10 AND iOS 11.

They all share similar hardware architectures and a less powerful 1.0 Ghz CPU that Apple has deemed insufficiently powerful enough to even run the basic, barebones features of iOS 10.

Why would you want to upgrade, anyways?

Since iOS 8, older iPad models such as the iPad 2, 3 and 4 have only been getting the most basic of iOS features.

Older iPad users get none of the newest and coolest cutting edge features that newer model iDevices, with better hardware specs, can handle with more aplomb.

Plus, the iPad 2 and 3 are the only two supported models left that use the much outdated 30 pin dock connector.

The same iPad 2 users who whined and moaned and groaned that both iOS 8 and 9 slowed down the performance of their iPad 2 models would come back, once again, in angry droves, with even more complaints of slowdowns under iOS 10 or iOS 11.

FYI,

Just because your iPad 2 is no longer able to upgrade to the latest iOS doesn't mean your iPad 2 is suddenly useless.

Your iPad 2 will work as it always has and the apps you have installed on it will continue to update and receive some level of app updates relevent to your current iOS.

You have had four years of iOS upgrades and updates.

Your iPad 2 will still do everything it does now and you will, get, at least, another full year, perhaps two, if you decide you want to wait longer to get a new or newer iPad model.

Your iPad 2 is NOT, suddenly, becoming obsolete or useless.

So, your options are really keep using your iPad 2 or purchase a new iPad if you feel you need or want to.

Your current iPad 2 will still work and continue to receive app updates until sometime this Fall 2017, with the recent introduction of iOS 11, ALL support for older 32 bit iDevices and any iOS 32 bit apps will come to a final end.

Your iPad 2 will still work and function as it always has, but will no longer receive any more app updates after the Fall of 2017.

The final app updates your iPad 2 will receive will be its last!

Your iPad 2 should STILL be receiving app updates, currently, but look for this to end soon.

This is why Apple introduced the new, lower cost 2017 iPad 5 model, in April

Apple is trying to get older iPad 2, 3, 4 and 1st gen Mini iPad users to upgrade to more modern iPad hardware in anticipation of the recent introduction/release of iOS 11, which WILL render all older 32 bit iDevices obsolete.

Good Luck to You!

You are far from stranded with your iPad 4.

Did you bother to read my previous reply here to this Poster?

Same logic and advice applies to iPad 4 users.

You are just now joining the group of older iPad users that already got left behind with iOS 10.

Also, see my posting here about iPad 4th generation users and iOS 11.

About iOS 11 and Anyone Still Using an iPad 4th Generation

FYI,

My wife and I are still getting along fine with our iPad 2 and 3, 64 GBs storage Wifi models on iOS 9.3.5 for well over a year, now!

Your iPad 4 should still be getting app updates for a little while longer.

Good Luck to You!

You posted this question twice, I see.

Not necessary to double post here.

None of us here work for Apple.

These are user to user technical support communities provided and moderated by Apple staff.

We are all just users here, just like you!

Everyone here are just volunteer user support, so if you do not get a response right away, please don't double post or "bump" a thread post to try to elicit a response in the future.

Thank You.

Hi thorathome. There's nothing to rescue. You're missing out on a whiz-bang GUI that your device likely could not run, even if it were in 32-bit form. And many of the features are only available on the top models, anyway. My iPad Air has iOS 11, but it still works the same as under iOS 10, with the exception of a few GUI changes. So, you're not really missing anything.

Thanks, Diana. Have we seen or heard of any Apple program to rescue iPad 4 owners who cannot upgrade to IOS 11? Feeling stranded out here. Thanks.