Is my iPad so old that...?

[rickwinger]

It will no longer be updated?

It has been a year or more since my iPad received an OS update. The Weather Channel app update will not install. Each time I tap "update all" I get an OS incompatibility message re that app.

My IP5S smartphone went from the 4-digit to 6-digit pass-code at least a year ago. The iPad has not done that.

We moved (to a different town) a while back so I'm casually looking for the box, but I cannot recall which model/release of the iPad that I have. It is at least 4 yours old - maybe five.

Anyway, are any of them being forced into obsolescence by dropping them from the OS updates?

 

[J. A.]

If it’s an iPad 2, 3, and iPad mini (first generation), it will not receive updates since iOS 9.3.5. An iPad 4 is compatible with iOS 10.3.3.

iOS 11 is for 64 bit devices, and will not work on the iPads mentioned above, because of the hardware.

To find out which iPad you own, compare your model number with this list:
Identify your iPad model

 

[rickwinger]

Thank you! I'm at work at the moment the the device is at home, but I'll check on the specs this evening.

 

[J. A.]

You’re welcome. If it’s still the same device as the iPad in your signature, it should be an iPad 4.

 

[rickwinger]

Thank you, and yes after double checking I'm still on the same device. Duh...

Model A1459. So do I conclude the unit is topped out at iOS 10.3.3?

 

[scifan57]

Thank you, and yes after double checking I'm still on the same device. Duh...

Model A1459. So do I conclude the unit is topped out at iOS 10.3.3?

Correct. iOS 10.3.3 is the latest iOS version that can be installed.

 

[Thomas1977]

Yes iPads get old but so do people.

 

[Diane B]

Thank you, and yes after double checking I'm still on the same device. Duh...

Model A1459. So do I conclude the unit is topped out at iOS 10.3.3?

I might also add that depending on what you use your Ipad for, it may be sufficient. While my day to day Ipad is the first generation 12.9 Pro I kept my old Air (is that a ‘5’?) to stream with. I did update to 11 but that really was unnecessary for my needs for it. I occasionally use it for reading in Kindle too but mostly for streaming either movies or music to an Apple TV. My husband has the Air 2 and for his purposes (which are very different from mine) he’s happy. I was going to buy him a 10.5 Pro but he doesn’t use spit screens, drag and drop or any of the new abilities—so doesn’t feel he needs a newer one—yet. So assess your needs for now and you might find it meets them—though I will say with IOS 11 on a newer Ipad tablet life can be very different.

 

[scifan57]

I might also add that depending on what you use your Ipad for, it may be sufficient. While my day to day Ipad is the first generation 12.9 Pro I kept my old Air (is that a ‘5’?) to stream with. I did update to 11 but that really was unnecessary for my needs for it. I occasionally use it for reading in Kindle too but mostly for streaming either movies or music to an Apple TV. My husband has the Air 2 and for his purposes (which are very different from mine) he’s happy. I was going to buy him a 10.5 Pro but he doesn’t use spit screens, drag and drop or any of the new abilities—so doesn’t feel he needs a newer one—yet. So assess your needs for now and you might find it meets them—though I will say with IOS 11 on a newer Ipad tablet life can be very different.

If he ever wants to try split screen, the iPad Air 2 has split screen capability.

 

[rickwinger]

Thanks again to all for the feedback.

Diane B's suggestion confirmed my own thoughts to evaluate and go from there.The one I have works fine and I use in mainly for reading in bed as I wind down for the evening.

That said, with the holiday season upon us I'll hold off and see what the after Christmas sales bring.

Best to all - Rick

 

[rickwinger]

Okay, so the new year is here and I'm starting to shop. Probably I'll have to go with a refurb, but after I glean a bit more knowledge I can know for sure.

So my first question is "What is the earliest generation iPad I can obtain that will let me utilize iOS 11?"

If there is already a dedicated thread on the forum that will help me with all this please just point me in that direction. Thanks in advance!

 

[J. A.]

iOS 11 is compatible with the first generation iPad Air and later, and iPad Mini 2 and later. Here’s the complete list:

Reddit

 

[Brian 244]

Go for the 2017 iPad 5 th generation. It has the latest features, supports ARkit and will be future proof for the next 4 years. The price is great as well starting at $349 US

IPad Air 1 and mini 2/3 have 1 year left before they’ll be left behind in updates.

 

[Thomas1977]

How do you know the iPad mini 2 has a year left. I’ve had mine for a year now and I haven’t missed a update yet.

 

[Brian 244]

Educated guess. These devices all have 1 gig of ram, and are not AR Kit compatible. I would include the Air 2 and mini 4 in that prediction but they have 2 gb of Ram and the A8 series chips so they should have 2-3 yrs left.