I have a 7th gen. iPad currently running iPadOS 18.1. I've been getting nonstop notifications to update my device to 18.4, but I simply cannot get this to work. The storage on my iPad is too small to fit the update, even if everything is deleted (I tried) and iTunes and Apple Devices both say that the device has the latest version (18.1). What am I supposed to do? It is driving me insane.
iPad, iPadOS 18
Try this:
If you still can't install the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, try downloading the update again:
If you don't see the update in the list of apps or if the issue happens again, you need to update your device with your computer:
Learn how to use recovery mode if your computer doesn't recognize your device or your screen is stuck on the Apple logo for several minutes without a progress bar.
It is generally recommended that you maintain 4-6GB of free space at all times - as your iPad needs some temporary space to complete some tasks - such as performing system software updates.
A system software update requires sufficient space to be downloaded, unpacked and verified prior to installation - major version updates (such as updating from iPadOS 16.x to iPadOS 17) requiring considerably more space than an incremental point-update. After the update is successfully completed, temporary files are automatically deleted - returning free space.
If your internal storage is full, or is insufficient for the task that you need to perform, your only option is to better manage the storage that you have - and delete unused Apps or unneeded data.
These support pages should prove to be helpful:
About storage on your device and in iCloud – Apple Support
What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? – Apple Support
Manage your iCloud storage – Apple Support
How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support
Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
“Offloading” Apps can be a helpful method of creating temporary space for a software update.
https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/21/how-to-offload-apps-in-ios-to-save-space-without-deleting-their-data/
Additional information about creating sufficient space for installation of a software update can be found here:
If you need more space for an update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
External storage options can often help with managing limited internal storage. Depending upon your iPad model, the iPad will either have a Lightning or USB-C port - and may therefore require either an Adapter or USB hub to connect the USB Storage device. If your iPad has a Lightning port, you’ll need an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter:
Regrettably, you are always going to struggle with an iPad that has so little internal storage. The 32/64GB devices are primarily intended for use in Educational settings, or in environments where the ability to store local data on the device is not required.
Using a Mac computer or Windows PC can help with system software updates - as the update package is initially downloaded to the computer, unpacked and verified by the computer, prior to the computer installing the updated system software on the target device.
As is, perhaps a workable remedy is to ensure that you have either an iCloud or iTunes backup of your iPad - and then completely erase the iPad. With no user-data present, you should be able to update the iPad; once updated, you can restore your backup to the iPad.
How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Erase all content and settings:
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content & Settings
After the reset, set-up the iPad with your AppleID - but do not restore the backup. Perform the system software update using whichever method works for you.
Finally, restore the backup to your iPad:
The update requires me to have >15GB of free storage (on the 32GB model). I manually backed up all my data and deleted ALL Apps and files from my device and I still couldn't free up enough space. This is not an issue of "better managing the storage that I have".
I don't have the update under the list of apps and I did already try everything described for updating via my PC.
Wow. That will make it hard. Also tried the force restart? If that is not working I suppose that a Genius Bar visit might be in order ):
Cannot update iPadOS (on device, iTunes, or Apple Devices)
