If in case you have an iPad already or are considering of choosing up an older one, perhaps a refurbished mannequin, you’ll must understand how lengthy it is going to nonetheless be capable to use the latest model of iPadOS. Apple is normally glorious on this space, typically maintaining older generations of its merchandise on the most recent variations of the working system or a minimum of blessed with safety updates to maintain them secure. However there comes a time when the software program on an iPad can not be up to date to a safe model of iPadOS, and when that occurs chances are you’ll discover that apps and providers will not work and your knowledge may very well be in danger.
Right here’s a fast information to how lengthy it is best to count on an iPad to stay usable.
Which variations of iPadOS does Apple assist?
Whereas the most recent model of iPadOS is the one with all the most recent options, and the one which Apple will replace with new options by the 12 months, the corporate offers safety updates for older variations of iPadOS with the intention to guarantee the security of customers of older iPads, however how lengthy are you able to count on to get these updates for?
The essential factor is whether or not Apple will replace the working system software program that runs in your iPad if it discovers a safety flaw. You would be in danger when you use an iPad that doesn’t have satisfactory safety measures in place.
Which means that the true defining factor of how lengthy an iPad can final is safety updates. As soon as these cease, it’s not advisable to proceed utilizing the system, because it may very well be weak. Typically, Apple points safety updates for 2 generations after ending assist for the most recent model. For instance, when iPadOS 17 arrived in 2023, Apple nonetheless issued updates for iPadOS 16 and 15 all year long. However with iPadOS 18, Apple stopped issuing common safety updates for iPadOS 15 and iPadOS 16. (The final replace to iPadOS 16 was in August 2024).
Safety updates are launched comparatively regularly and easily replace the code within the system to shut any potential areas the place hackers or malware may acquire entry. These seem in your system as “level” releases, similar to iPadOS 18.1, 18.1.1, 18.2, and so on., they usually make small changes to iPadOS and repair any safety flaws that would put your knowledge in danger.
To search out out in case you have put in the latest model of iPadOS go to Settings > Basic > Software program Replace and verify.
Which model of iPadOS can I run?
The hot button is to know which model of iPadOS your iPad can run, that method you possibly can determine whether or not Apple remains to be dedicated to updating it with security-related fixes. Apple tends to proceed safety assist for the 2 or three most up-to-date variations of iPadOS (Apple have a tendency to not assist a 3rd model if the identical iPad fashions are lined by the newer model).
iPadOS 18
iPadOS 18 arrived on September 16, 2024. It runs on the next fashions:
- iPad Professional 11-inch & 13-inch (M4)
- iPad Professional 12.9-inch (Third gen and later)
- iPad Air (M3, M2, Third gen and later)
- iPad (seventh gen and later)
- iPad mini (fifth gen and later)
With this iteration of iPadOS Apple dropped assist for the 2nd-gen 12.9-inch iPad Professional, the ten.5-inch iPad Professional, and the Sixth-gen iPad.
iPadOS 17
iPadOS 17 arrived in 2023 and was final up to date in August 2024. It runs on the next fashions, and Apple is issuing software program updates for it (the latest was iPadOS 17.7.5 on February 10, 2025).
- iPad Professional 12.9 (2nd gen and later)
- iPad Professional 11
- iPad Professional 10.5
- iPad Air (Third gen and later)
- iPad (Sixth gen and later)
- iPad mini (fifth gen and later)
iPadOS 17 dropped assist for 2016 iPad Professional 9.7-inch (A9X chip), 2015 iPad Professional 12.9-inch (1st gen) (A9X chip) and 2017 iPad (fifth gen) which runs on a fair slower A9 processor.
Which iPads should not supported with any updates?
With the arrival of iPadOS 18, Apple dropped assist for iPadOS 15 and iPadOS 16, which implies that iPad Air 2nd gen and iPad mini 4, have been dropped from the checklist of supported iPads.
As a result of Apple not helps them with safety updates, it is best to keep away from any iPads that may’t run iPadOS 16. That features these fashions:
- iPad Air (2nd gen and earlier)
- iPad (4th gen and earlier)
- iPad mini (4th gen and earlier)
Take into account that in late 2025 iPadOS 17 assist may finish, at which level the next iPads will not be supported:
- 2016 iPad Professional 9.7-inch (A9X)
- 2015 iPad Professional 12.9-inch (1st gen) (A9X)
- 2017 iPad (fifth gen) (A9)
Which iPads are supported with full updates?
These are the iPads that get the most recent model of the iPadOS – iPadOS 18. Not each iPad beneath will get all of the options, many miss out on the Apple Clever options that require an M1, M2, M3 or M4 chips discovered within the iPad Air or iPad Professional, or the A17 Professional chip used within the 2024 iPad mini.
- iPad Professional (M3, M4)
- iPad Professional 12.9-inch (Third gen and later)
- iPad Professional 11-inch (all)
- iPad Air (M2, M3, Third gen and later)
- iPad (seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth gen and A17 Professional)
- iPad Mini (fifth, Sixth gen and A16)
How lengthy does Apple assist iPads with safety updates?
Apple at the moment helps safety updates for iPadOS 18 and 17. The oldest iPad capable of run iPadOS 18 is from 2018 and the oldest iPad capable of run iPadOS 17 is the decade-old 1st gen 12.9-inch iPad Professional from 2015, the 2016 9.7-inch iPad Professional and the 2017 iPad (fifth gen). Apple could cease safety updates for iPadOS 17 in late 2025 or 2026, at which level it is going to finish assist for these fashions. Notice that the primary 12.9-inch iPad Professional is already thought of out of date by Apple (as you will notice within the part beneath!)
That’s nonetheless seven to 10 years of safety assist. When shopping for an iPad, you possibly can assume between eight and 10 years of safety updates.
If it’s the complete model of iPadOS you might be after, you possibly can count on about six years of assist–the Third-gen iPad Professional 12.9-inch being the oldest iPad that may run iPadOS 18, they usually have been launched in 2018.
How lengthy does Apple assist iPads for restore?
Typically, Apple strikes gadgets onto the Classic checklist between 5 and 7 years after it stops promoting them. Round seven years after Apple stops promoting a product it’s moved into the Out of date checklist, although some international locations have completely different guidelines.
As soon as thought of Classic by Apple, your probability of with the ability to get alternative components is troublesome, however when a product is Out of date you will be unable to get alternative components. Subsequently if it has been 5 years since Apple stopped promoting an iPad you might be unlikely to have the ability to get alternative components if one thing goes mistaken.
The merchandise thought of classic and out of date are listed beneath.
Classic iPads
- iPad Air 2
- iPad mini 2, iPad mini 4
- iPad Professional 10.5-inch
- iPad Professional 12.9-inch (1st gen, 2nd gen)
- iPad (fifth gen, Sixth gen)
Out of date iPads
- iPad Air (1st gen)
- iPad mini (Third gen and earlier)
- iPad (4th gen and earlier)
- iPad Professional 12.9-inch (1st gen)
- iPad Professional 9.7-inch (1st gen)
How lengthy ought to an iPad final?
On the software program facet of issues, it appears from the present examples laid out above which you could count on software program safety assist as much as 9 years from when an iPad went on sale, nonetheless, we wouldn’t rely on that.
As a result of Apple doesn’t contemplate a product classic till 5 years after it stopped promoting it, you possibly can count on a minimum of six years of assist (assuming the product was bought for a 12 months, although Apple typically sells merchandise for for much longer than that).
In fact, {hardware} is the opposite facet of the equation and that may be extra random as components deteriorate or fail. Say your battery life falls off a cliff, you’ll must nonetheless be inside your one-year guarantee interval to have it repaired at no cost. Apple does have a battery alternative service although, normally costing $99/£99 for a alternative and becoming, so this might lengthen the {hardware} facet of issues for an excellent whereas (basically up till it was moved to the classic checklist 5 years after Apple stopped promoting it).
Apple presents {hardware} servicing and components for a variety of older iPads, all at a value in fact. On its web site, the corporate states, “House owners of iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac or Apple TV merchandise could get hold of service and components from Apple service suppliers, together with Apple Retailer areas and Unbiased Restore Suppliers, for at least 5 years from when Apple final distributed the product on the market”. That is clarified later within the textual content, saying which you could get iPads repaired as much as seven years after they have been final on sale from Apple. So, if you wish to know in case your iPad qualifies, merely Google when it was discontinued by Apple.
Naturally, a 10-year-old iPad is a powerful feat of sturdiness, but it surely received’t be as enjoyable or highly effective as a brand new one. So, check out our iPad shopping for information to see what’s at the moment on provide. In any case, you may be utilizing it for a really very long time.
Wish to know how lengthy Apple helps iPhones and how lengthy Apple helps Macs, we’ve got that lined too.
