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I have an iPad Air with iOS 12.5.5 and my apps needs iOS 13

I have an Ipad Air on iOS 12.5.5 which is listed as up to date, several of my apps indicate they require iOS 13 for their updated version. now they are not functioning. How can I upgrade my iOS to a version which will support these latest upgrades?

Is there a way to upgrade to iOS 13 or above in order to upgrade the apps that require iOS 13 to update to the most recent version, such as ESPN?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad Air Wi-Fi

Posted on Nov 3, 2021 2:45 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 3, 2021 3:25 PM

As described, your iPad is indeed as up to date as is possible.


The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.5.


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 recently. 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.


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 iPadOS15.


Sorry, I appreciate that this may not be what you were hoping to learn.


I hope this information provides clarity as to your available options - and the fundamental limitations of your iPad.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 3, 2021 3:25 PM in response to ikorol

As described, your iPad is indeed as up to date as is possible.


The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.5.


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 recently. 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.


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 iPadOS15.


Sorry, I appreciate that this may not be what you were hoping to learn.


I hope this information provides clarity as to your available options - and the fundamental limitations of your iPad.

I have an iPad Air with iOS 12.5.5 and my apps needs iOS 13

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