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My ipad wont update.

My ipad is showing my software is IOS 9.3.5. I attempt to download the newest software off of my ipad by going into settings/general/software update, but it says I have the most up to date software. I am new to ipads so I assumed I was good to go, but the app store wont let me download anything because it needs at least IOS 10. My next thought it was so outdated that I needed to update it on the computer via itunes. I preformed a backup and then went to select "search for update" but it said my ipad was up to date. I am not sure what I need to do next.

iPad mini, iOS 9

Posted on Jul 2, 2020 5:39 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 2, 2020 5:49 PM

Sounds like you have the original, first-generation iPad mini. That model (introduced in 2012!) cannot be upgraded to newer iPadOS versions. The hardware is insufficient to work with an os newer than version 9.3.5.


Few, if any, developers support their apps for versions this old.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 2, 2020 5:49 PM in response to BingoLife

Sounds like you have the original, first-generation iPad mini. That model (introduced in 2012!) cannot be upgraded to newer iPadOS versions. The hardware is insufficient to work with an os newer than version 9.3.5.


Few, if any, developers support their apps for versions this old.

Jul 2, 2020 5:50 PM in response to BingoLife

Your iPad hardware is too old to upgrade to newer iPadOS versions.


You probably have an iPad 2 (2011-2012) or a first-generation iPad mini (2012-2013).


Older iPad models lacks the necessary hardware and lack sufficient memory for iPadOS 13.


For anything past iOS 9, in the case of iPad 2 and iPad mini first-generation.


Your options here are a newer or a new iPad, if a newer version of iOS is required.


Amazon and Apple have an assortment of newer and new models available.


Stay with a reputable vendor, if (when?) you decide to acquire a newer or new iPad:

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a used iPad/iPhone - Apple Community

Jul 2, 2020 6:47 PM in response to BingoLife

Not ever going to happen.

In addition, your iPad is too old, now, and very soon to be obsolete!


This is now the time to purchase a new, refurbished or much “newer” ( read used ) iPad, now!


Sorry, but this is what you must do now, in 2020.


Sorry. It is what it is at this very late date, now here in the year 2020.


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.


These old iPad 2, 3, 4 and 1st gen iPad Mini models are nearing 8 and 9-years old, now.

As of the beginning of 2019, many, MANY third party app developers are all more quickly and completely permanently dropping older app support for all old 7, 8 and 9-year iPads that are running 2-3 year old and earlier iOS versions ( iOS 10 and earlier ).

Third party app developers are removing all of their older, legacy versions of their apps from Apple's App Store servers, now.

Third party app developers no longer want to support these 8 and 9-year old or older iOS devices, any longer!

Older versions of apps are, soon, going to be gone for good, now!

Getting older versions of apps for these old iPad models, initially from Apple’s iOS App Store is getting very difficult and very problematic and this issue is getting, painfully, much worse in 2020, now!

These old iPads are now reaching their complete end of life and support.

So finding older versions apps for older iPads, while still possible, currently, will be a tough challenge, now, in 2020.


Old iPads that can no longer be upgraded/updated will have NO MORE APPS AVAILABLE for initial download, at all, soon, from the Apple iOS App Store, for such old iOS devices in the very near future.

Older versions of apps for these older iPads will be completely gone, at some point, in the very foreseeable future.


Again, it is what it is, today, in the year 2020!


Basically, these old iPad models are just good for FaceTime and somewhat limited Web browsing via some other, possibly still available and more up to date, third party Web browsers and NOT using that nearly 4-year old iOS Safari Web browser.


This is the harsh reality for these 8 and 9-year old, OR OLDER, iOS devices, now!


So, this is really now the time to seriously consider a new or discounted, refurbished iPad from Apple or other Apple authorised resellers.


A lot has happened with iPad and iOS in 7-9 years and in the past 2 to 3-1/2 years since iOS 9 and 10.


As an example and compared to your older iPad,

The baseline 2019, 10.2 inch screen 7th gen iPads have a 1/2 inch larger retina screen, newer, more powerful and nearly 2-1/2 times faster 2.3 Ghz, A10 Fusion processors, AT LEAST, 3-4 times the internal RAM, with the 2019, 7th gen iPad having 3 GBs of internal RAM, iPadOS 13 support, with much better and improved multitasking features, Apple Pencil and Apple Smart keyboard cover support and have better audio speakers and better/improved built-in cameras.



Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

Jul 2, 2020 6:42 PM in response to BingoLife

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


If you 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 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 that such an iPad has been reset 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.



Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

My ipad wont update.

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