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I have an ipad mini with ios9 can I update to ios10 or more?

I have an ipad mini with ios9 can I update to ios10 or more?

Posted on Feb 6, 2021 8:47 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 6, 2021 9:09 AM

The original iPad Mini cannot be updated beyond iOS 9.3.5 or 9.3.6.

The iPad Mini 2 and 3 cannot be updated beyond iOS 12.5.1

The iPad Mini 4 and 5 can be updated to the current version of iPadOS 14.

If you aren't sure which iPad Mini you have, see: Identify your iPad model - Apple Support

2 replies

Feb 6, 2021 9:18 AM in response to iram258

The 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 of iPad 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. iPad mini1 is obsolete.


Compatible Apps for your iPad are increasingly difficult to find - as third-party developers are increasingly dropping support for older versions of iOS 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, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model.


Of current models, even the entry-level iPad8 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 have an ipad mini with ios9 can I update to ios10 or more?

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