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iPad 4th gen software update

I have an iPad 4th gen and just realised the other day that I havent had a prompt to update the iOS software in ages.


I've just checked and the software I have is 10.3.3 and it says my software is up to date but I believe there are more up to date iOS software that have been released.


Am I not able to update to a more up to date software because I have a relatively old iPad (4th gen)?


Will it affect the performance of my iPad if I don't have the most recent iOS installed?


Also I uninstalled an app yesterday and when I went to reinstall it a notification said the most recent version of the app wasn't available to me. Is this because I dont have the most rcent iOS installed?

iPad Wi-Fi, iOS 10.3.3

Posted on Oct 10, 2018 12:02 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 15, 2018 11:48 AM

The iPad 4th generation is ineligible and excluded from upgrading to iOS 11 or iOS 12 and any future iOS versions.

With the introduction of iOS 11, ALL support for older 32 bit iDevices and any iOS 32 bit apps has ended.

Your iPad 4 is a 32 bit hardware device.

With the introduction of the 64 bit coded iOS 11, newer iOS versions ONLY support newer 64 bit hardware iDevices and 64 bit software, now.

The iPad 4 is incompatible with this new iOS, now.

No need to panic or worry though.

Your iPad 4th gen will still work and function as it always has, but will no longer receive any more app updates sometime in the foreseeable future.

The 4th gen iPad has had over 5 years of iOS upgrades/updates

The final app updates your 4th gen iPad will receive will be its last!

Your iPad 4 will survive and stay a viable, functioning iPad for a couple more years.

Currently, iPad 4 models are STILL receiving regular app updates, but look for this change over time.



This is why Apple introduced the new, lower cost 2018 and 2017 iPad 6th and 5th generation models.

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 releases of iOS 11, and now iOS 12, which will render all older 32 bit iDevices obsolete, in time.



Good Luck to You!

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 15, 2018 11:48 AM in response to Clairebridger

The iPad 4th generation is ineligible and excluded from upgrading to iOS 11 or iOS 12 and any future iOS versions.

With the introduction of iOS 11, ALL support for older 32 bit iDevices and any iOS 32 bit apps has ended.

Your iPad 4 is a 32 bit hardware device.

With the introduction of the 64 bit coded iOS 11, newer iOS versions ONLY support newer 64 bit hardware iDevices and 64 bit software, now.

The iPad 4 is incompatible with this new iOS, now.

No need to panic or worry though.

Your iPad 4th gen will still work and function as it always has, but will no longer receive any more app updates sometime in the foreseeable future.

The 4th gen iPad has had over 5 years of iOS upgrades/updates

The final app updates your 4th gen iPad will receive will be its last!

Your iPad 4 will survive and stay a viable, functioning iPad for a couple more years.

Currently, iPad 4 models are STILL receiving regular app updates, but look for this change over time.



This is why Apple introduced the new, lower cost 2018 and 2017 iPad 6th and 5th generation models.

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 releases of iOS 11, and now iOS 12, which will render all older 32 bit iDevices obsolete, in time.



Good Luck to You!

Oct 15, 2018 11:48 AM in response to Clairebridger

A Fourth Generation iPad cannot update beyond iOS 10.3.3. That is the last iOS version it supports.


As to the App, it may well be that the App developer has decided to require a newer iOS version than your iPad supports.


You can check the Apps iOS version requirements by scrolling down the Apps entry in the App store to the Information section.


One of the items there is "Compatibilty" and will show what iOS versions it requires.


If the App developer has chosen to leave a compatible version available, you may be able to download that by going to your Purchased list, and downloading the App from there. Tap on the Purchased tab at the bottom of the App Store App, to access your purchases.

iPad 4th gen software update

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