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Ipad mini 2

I have an ipad mini 2 with ios 9.3.6. Support says that it can be updated to ios12,w but when I go to software update (in settings), it says that the software is up to date. How do I update to ios 12?

iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi, Cell TD-LTE

Posted on Oct 4, 2022 8:10 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 4, 2022 8:34 AM

With iOS 9.3.6 installed, you have a WiFi+Cellular model of first generation iPad mini - and not an iPad mini2. If you had an iPad mini2 (which you don’t) it would indeed be updatable to iPS 12.5.6.


iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 can only be updated to iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models) or iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular models).


Apple ended update support for these models in September 2016. Your iPad 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. This limitation cannot be bypassed; these are 32-bit architecture devices, whilst all recent versions of iOS/iPadOS are designed for 64-bit hardware platforms. iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 are obsolete.


You may need to consider that compatible Apps for your iPad are increasingly difficult to find - as App Developers have dropped all support for 32-bit devices and many for iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13. As older versions of Apps are removed from the Apple App Store, you’ll not be able to (re)download or install them - which may severely limit the usefulness and utility of your iPad. As such, if you want or need to access most current Apps, requiring more recent versions of iOS than your iPad is capable of support, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model.


Of current models, even the entry-level iPad9 has specifications and capabilities that will massively outperform you current iPad - and is compatible with the vast majority of current Apps. Other models are more powerful still.


I hope this information provides succinct clarity as to your available options - and the fundamental limitations of your current iPad mini1.




2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 4, 2022 8:34 AM in response to UserNow84

With iOS 9.3.6 installed, you have a WiFi+Cellular model of first generation iPad mini - and not an iPad mini2. If you had an iPad mini2 (which you don’t) it would indeed be updatable to iPS 12.5.6.


iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 can only be updated to iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models) or iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular models).


Apple ended update support for these models in September 2016. Your iPad 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. This limitation cannot be bypassed; these are 32-bit architecture devices, whilst all recent versions of iOS/iPadOS are designed for 64-bit hardware platforms. iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 are obsolete.


You may need to consider that compatible Apps for your iPad are increasingly difficult to find - as App Developers have dropped all support for 32-bit devices and many for iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13. As older versions of Apps are removed from the Apple App Store, you’ll not be able to (re)download or install them - which may severely limit the usefulness and utility of your iPad. As such, if you want or need to access most current Apps, requiring more recent versions of iOS than your iPad is capable of support, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model.


Of current models, even the entry-level iPad9 has specifications and capabilities that will massively outperform you current iPad - and is compatible with the vast majority of current Apps. Other models are more powerful still.


I hope this information provides succinct clarity as to your available options - and the fundamental limitations of your current iPad mini1.




Ipad mini 2

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