Whether or not you are able to update your iPad to a newer version of iOS/iPadOS will be dictated by the iPad model - and the currently installed version of iOS. You can find this information here:
Settings > General > About
Not sure which iPad you have? Identify your iPad model.
As of 6 January 2025, here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated:
32-bit devices (obsolete)
iPad1 - iOS 5.1.1
iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi+Cellular)
iPad4 - iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only), iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi+Cellular)
64-bit devices
iPad Air1*, iPad mini2 and iPad mini3* - iOS 12.5.7
iPad Air2, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.8.3
iPad5, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" 1st generation)* - iPadOS 16.7.10
iPad6, iPad Pro (10.5"/12.9" 2nd generation) - iPadOS 17.7.3
(*) obsolete
Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 18.2.1
- iPad Pro 13" (M4)
- iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd generation and later)
- iPad Pro 11" (1st generation and later + M4)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later + M2)
- iPad (7th generation and later)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later + A17 Pro)
iPadOS 18 is available for iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (M2), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (7th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later).
Other models of iPad lack the required system resources (CPU & RAM) required by iPadOS 18. As an iPad is fixed at time of manufacture (and cannot be updated) - and the minimum system requirements for iPadOS 18.x are very to be changed by Apple - it is perhaps highly unlikely that older devices that do not not currently meet requirements will ever be able to update to the latest major version of iPadOS.
As such, of you wish to use iPadOS 18.x, your only viable option is to replace your ageing iPad with a much newer or current model iPad.
