If you need an iPad that can run the latest and greatest versions of iOS, as well as, the most current apps available, then, you need to purchase a new iPad from Apple or a discounted, refurbished iPad from Apple’s Refurbished & Clearance section of Apple’s Website or a new or refurbished iPad from an Apple authorised, third party retail or online reseller OR other trusted sources for new or used Apple products. So, that is a total of between 7-9 years of iPad/iOS support!ĪLL older iPad models, like the iPad 2, 3, 4 and 1st gen iPad Mini have, finally, reached this support limit! It is what it is, today, in the year 2020!Īpple supports new iPad models for up to 5-6 years with third party app developers supporting these iPads for another, additional 2-3 years after! These older iPad models are too old, now, too underpowered and completely incompatible with any of the current and future versions of iOS/iPadOS.

I hope this information provides helpful clarity as to your available options - and the limitations of your current iPad mini.Ī 1st gen iPad Mini cannot be upgraded beyond iOS 9.3.5/9.3.6 for WiFi AND cellular data models.Ī 1st gen iPad Mini is a NEARLY 8-year old device, now! As such, if you want or need to access most current Apps, requiring more recent versions of iOS, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model.Įven the most basic current iPad7 will massively outperform you current iPad - and is compatible with the vast majority of current Apps. As older versions of Apps are removed from the Apple App Store, you’ll not be able to (re)download or install them. You may wish to consider that compatible Apps for your iPad are increasingly difficult to find - as third-party developers are increasingly dropping support for older versions of iOS preceding iOS11/12. This limitation cannot be bypassed - in addition to which, iPad mini is a 32-bit architecture device, whilst all recent versions of iOS/iPadOS are designed for 64-bit hardware platforms. Your iPad mini cannot be updated to iOS 10 or later major versions of iOS, as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements for new versions of iOS/iPadOS. Your very old first generation iPad mini can only be updated to iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models) or iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular models).Īpple formally ended update support for iPad mini in September 2016.

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