How do I update my iPad (1st generation)

If you iPad1 is already running iOS 5.1.1, then you don’t.

Apple ended update support for your original (first generation) iPad in September 2012; it’s obsolete.

The final IOS release for iPad1 was iOS 5.1.1. It cannot be updated to any later major version of iOS as it lacks the minimum hardware requirements needed to run more recent versions.

Many App Developers have also dropped support for older devices and iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13 - and have withdrawn older versions of their Apps from the Apple App Store.

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. Even the basic current iPad model supports current iPadOS 13.x - and has hardware specifications that will vastly outperform your original iPad. As such, usefulness and utility of older models are becoming increasingly limited - and in some cases, of little use at all.

Sorry, this is clearly not the news that you were hoping to hear.

I hope this information is helpful - if only in clearly stating your current options and potential ways forward.

Time for a new, new refurbished or much, MUCH “newer”, used iPad model.

A lot has happened with iPad and iOS in over 10-years and 8-years since iOS 5.

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, untrusted 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, UNMISTAKEABLE, CONFIRMED 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!

The highest iOS the first iPad will run in iOS 5.xx. That’s as high as you can go. That device was sold ten years ago and is ancient by today’s standards.