New security warning 09/14/2021
My older ipad won’t update as 12.5.4. Can I still use it safely with the new security breach shown on CBS News this morning?
iPad Air, iOS 12
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The security vulnerability explicitly addressed by the iOS/iPadOS 14.8 update is reportedly not present in iOS 12.x.
Your iPad Air1 is already running the most recent update that has been released for the iPad Air1, mini2 and mini3 - this being iOS 12.5.4.
Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they since continue to receive “point” security updates - the most recent being released just a few days go. 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 and RAM) for newer versions of iOS/iPadOS.
Whilst security updates continue to be released as necessary, given that iOS12 devices are very much in the twilight period of OS support, you might be well advised to start thinking about updating to a newer device that is in full support.