Ipad 3 stuck on ios 6

If your iPad is significantly behind, the OTA Update method from Settings won’t work for you. You must instead use a PC (with iTunes installed) or a Mac computer (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of macOS) to update your iPad to its maximum supported version.

Update your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

iPad3 cannot be updated beyond iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models) or iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular).

Apple ended update support for iPad3 in September 2016. Your iPad cannot be updated to iOS 10 or later versions, as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements for new versions of iOS/iPadOS. The 32-bit architecture upon which iPad3 is based is effectively obsolete.

Many App Developers have also dropped support for older devices and iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13 - and have withdrawn older versions of their Apps from the Apple App Store. Withdrawal of compatible Apps will significantly impact the usefulness and utility of your iPad3

If Apps that you need to use now have higher minimum iOS-version requirements, your only option is to replace your iPad with newer model. Of current models, consider that even the entry-level iPad7 supports current iPadOS 13.x and soon to be released iPadOS14 - and has hardware specifications and capabilities that will vastly outperform your old iPad3. Other models provide a step-up in performance, features and cost.

I hope this information is helpful with the update - and in clearly stating the limitations of your current iPad.

I wouldn't even both with this over 8-year old iPad, any longer, at thus time in 2020!

Do not waste anymore of your time and efforts with this device.

If you never kept up with the upgrade/update cycle of this iPad or got this iPad from someone, it will be completely rendered OBSOLETE by the end of 2020!

Currently there are little to no older, compatible third party apps available to download and install from the Apple iOS App Store, any longer.

That iPad 3 will be of severely limited use, now, in 2020.

These 8 and 9-year old iPad models are done!

Sorry, but this is the harsh reality for these 8 and 9-year old, OR OLDER, iOS devices now in 2020!

Time for a new, refurbished or much “newer” ( read used ) iPad.

Sorry, but this is what you will need to do, now.

You will need to purchase an iPad that can run the latest and greatest versions of iOS, as well as, the most current apps available, from Apple or a discounted, refurbished iPad from Apple’s Refurbished & Clearance section of Apple’s Website

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/ipad

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.

If you decide to purchase an iPad and must purchase older, used iPad models, DO NOT look at anything older than a 2014 iPad Air 2 or 2015 iPad Mini 4.

Both of these models are the oldest iPad models that the up and coming iPadOS 14 will support, in the Fall of 2020.

If you must purchased used devices from unknown sources, you must ask A WHOLE LOT more questions of the iOS device seller, ask for more photo/images, ask if the iPad has user/iCloud activation lock and ask for photos/images/short video proof, ANY REAL, UNQUESTIONABLE PHYSICAL/VISUAL PROOF, that such an iPad has been reset to factory settings and shown proof of the iOS device's start up screen showing the animated, moving, multi-language “Hello” Welcome to iPad screen.

If the iOS device seller is unwilling to do all of this to show you that the iPad, in question, is ready to use with no barriers to new user activation and use, pass on the iOS device and look at other iOS device sellers, elsewhere, who will be more accommodating to answering questions and providing visual image or video proof of a proper factory reset iPad.

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!