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iPad not showing available updates

Why is my iPad not showing available updates?


iPad, iOS 10

Posted on Feb 14, 2022 5:43 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 15, 2022 4:51 AM

Your iPad 4th generation (16 GB Black) discontinued in 2014 (8 years old) cannot update past iOS 10.3.3.

The iPad hardware is 32-Bit and is not compatible to update further.

FYI: All new iOS and iPadOS version is now 64-Bit.

If you want iPadOS update, you need to buy a newer iPad model.

8 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 15, 2022 4:51 AM in response to Mandyjo54

Your iPad 4th generation (16 GB Black) discontinued in 2014 (8 years old) cannot update past iOS 10.3.3.

The iPad hardware is 32-Bit and is not compatible to update further.

FYI: All new iOS and iPadOS version is now 64-Bit.

If you want iPadOS update, you need to buy a newer iPad model.

Feb 15, 2022 5:25 AM in response to Mandyjo54

If your iPad is currently running, or cannot be updated beyond iOS 10.3.3/4, then have an iPad4.


Update support for iPad4 ended September 2017. The final iOS releases for this model were iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only models) and iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular). iPad4 cannot be updated to any later major version of iOS as it lacks the minimum hardware requirements needed to run more recent versions. The 32-bit platform upon which the iPad4 is based is obsolete.


Most App Developers have also dropped support for 32-bit devices and iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13 - and have withdrawn older versions of their Apps from the Apple App Store. Withdrawal of Apps supporting older models of iPad is making their utility and usefulness significantly more limited. Once compatible versions Apps are withdrawn, you’ll not be able (re)download or (re)install them.


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. Of current models, even the entry-level iPad9 supports current iPadOS 15 - and has hardware specifications and capabilities that vastly outperform your old iPad4.


I hope this information is helpful - if only in clearly stating the fundamental limitations of your iPad4 and your available options.

Feb 15, 2022 7:51 PM in response to ckuan

Third party app developers abandoned and stopped supporting these 8-10-year old iOS devices nearly 3 years, ago, in 2018.

There are, virtually, NO MORE third party apps available from the iOS App Store, any longer!

Third party compatible apps for such old devices are few and far between, now, in 2022.

This includes apps for both iOS 9 AND iOS 10 devices and, throughout 2022, ALL iOS 12 ONLY devices!

AND, NO WAY to, initially, install any older, compatible, third party apps into this old iPad, any longer!

NO MORE SUPPORT! NO MORE APPS!

Feb 15, 2022 7:52 PM in response to Mandyjo54

Third party app developers abandoned and stopped supporting these 8-10-year old iOS devices nearly 3 years, ago, in 2018.

There are, virtually, NO MORE third party apps available from the iOS App Store, any longer!

Third party compatible apps for such old devices are few and far between, now, in 2022.

This includes apps for both iOS 9 AND iOS 10 devices and, throughout 2022, ALL iOS 12 ONLY devices!

AND, NO WAY to, initially, install any older, compatible, third party apps into this old iPad, any longer!

NO MORE SUPPORT! NO MORE APPS!


All 2011-2012 iPad 2, 3, 4 and 1st gen iPad Mini models are fully and completely unsupported AND obsolete!


Sorry, but this is the reality for ALL 9-11-year old AND OLDER iOS devices now. Especially now, in 2022.


In addition, the internal, rechargeable batteries in these old iPads are, also, running on borrowed time.

Not worth the costs to replace these old internal, rechargeable batteries in these old iPads, any longer, either.


iPad not showing available updates

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