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I can’t update to IOS 13.0 on my iPad Air

Why can’t I update my iPad Air to IOS 13.0?

iPad Air, iOS 12

Posted on Aug 12, 2021 6:02 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 12, 2021 6:44 AM

The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.4.


Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they since continue to receive “point” security updates - the most recent being released just a few weeks go. These devices cannot be updated to iPadOS 13 (or any later major versions of iPadOS) as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements (CPU and RAM) for newer versions of iOS/iPadOS.


Some App developers have dropped support for iOS versions preceding iOS 13.x for technical reasons (often because APIs or software libraries upon which they rely have been updated in the new version of iPadOS, making their App incompatible with earlier versions). 


Whilst many App titles remain compatible with your iPad, if you want or need to access to Apps requiring the most recent versions of iOS, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model that supports iPadOS14.


Sorry, I appreciate that this may not be what you were hoping to learn.


I hope this information provides helpful clarity as to your available options - and the fundamental limitations of your existing iPad.

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 12, 2021 6:44 AM in response to skp216

The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.4.


Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they since continue to receive “point” security updates - the most recent being released just a few weeks go. These devices cannot be updated to iPadOS 13 (or any later major versions of iPadOS) as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements (CPU and RAM) for newer versions of iOS/iPadOS.


Some App developers have dropped support for iOS versions preceding iOS 13.x for technical reasons (often because APIs or software libraries upon which they rely have been updated in the new version of iPadOS, making their App incompatible with earlier versions). 


Whilst many App titles remain compatible with your iPad, if you want or need to access to Apps requiring the most recent versions of iOS, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model that supports iPadOS14.


Sorry, I appreciate that this may not be what you were hoping to learn.


I hope this information provides helpful clarity as to your available options - and the fundamental limitations of your existing iPad.

Aug 12, 2021 7:08 AM in response to skp216

Contributors within the Apple Support Communities are all end-users - just like you. We neither work for nor represent Apple.


Whilst we cannot provide a “fix” for this limitation, insofar as is possible, we certainly try to help others with technical issues and share knowledge…


Apple ended major update support for the Air1 in September 2019 - as the CPU and internal hardware are too old and lack sufficient capabilities to run more recent versions of the Operating System. Computers, sooner or later, all become obsolete. Whilst the iPad Air1 is still supported by Apple, albeit not for update to more recent major versions of iOS/iPadOS, your iPad is certainly in its “twilight” period of support.

I can’t update to IOS 13.0 on my iPad Air

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