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Can my iPad Air with software 12.5.7 be updated

Can this software be updated on a 12.5.7 iPad Air

iPad Air, iOS 12

Posted on Apr 23, 2023 10:38 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 23, 2023 3:55 PM

The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.7.


Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they continue to receive occasional “point” security updates, the most recent being released January 2023. 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 capabilities and available 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 iPadOS16.



For information, here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated:


32-bit devices (obsolete)

iPad1 - iOS 5.1.1

iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi+Cellular)

iPad4 - iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only), iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi+Cellular)


64-bit devices

iPad Air1, iPad mini2 and iPad mini3 - iOS 12.5.7

iPad Air2, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.7.5


Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version, iPadOS 16.4.1

  • iPad Pro (all models)
  • iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
  • iPad (5th generation and later)
  • iPad mini (5th generation and later)



4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 23, 2023 3:55 PM in response to my sister 61

The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.7.


Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they continue to receive occasional “point” security updates, the most recent being released January 2023. 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 capabilities and available 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 iPadOS16.



For information, here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated:


32-bit devices (obsolete)

iPad1 - iOS 5.1.1

iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi+Cellular)

iPad4 - iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only), iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi+Cellular)


64-bit devices

iPad Air1, iPad mini2 and iPad mini3 - iOS 12.5.7

iPad Air2, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.7.5


Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version, iPadOS 16.4.1

  • iPad Pro (all models)
  • iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
  • iPad (5th generation and later)
  • iPad mini (5th generation and later)



Apr 23, 2023 3:47 PM in response to gregrwm

gregrwm wrote:

Where can we see how far any iPhone can be updated? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_iPhone_models says iPhone 8 can update to 16.4.1. is it correct? Settings>General>Software Update says up to date at 12.5.7. What's up?

If your device is running iOS 12.5.7, it can not be an iPhone 8. Instead, it has to be an iPhone 5S, 6, or 6 Plus.

Can my iPad Air with software 12.5.7 be updated

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