If you have an iPad already or are think of pick up an older one , perhaps arefurbished model , you ’ll need to acknowledge how long it will still be able to use the newest reading of iPadOS . Apple is usually excellent in this area , often keep on older generations of its products on the latest versions of the operating system or at least blessed with security updates to keep them safe . But there comes a clock time when the software on an iPad can no longer be update to a secure reading of iPadOS , and when that hap you may find that apps and services will no longer turn and your information could be at risk .
Here ’s a flying guide to how long you should expect an iPad to remain usable .
Which versions of iPadOS does Apple support?
While the late version of iPadOS is the one with all the up-to-the-minute feature of speech , and the one that Apple will update with new features through the twelvemonth , the company provides security measures updates for honest-to-god versions of iPadOS in rescript to ascertain the safety of users of older iPads , but how long can you expect to get these updates for ?
The crucial thing is whether Apple will update the operating system computer software that run on your iPad if it discovers a security flaw . You could be at risk if you use an iPad that does n’t have adequate security measure measures in place .
This means that the tangible define element of how long an iPad can last is surety update . Once those stop , it ’s not advisable to continue using the equipment , as it could be vulnerable . in the main , Apple issue security updates for two generations after ending support for the late version . For example , when iPadOS 17 arrived in 2023 , Apple still issued updates for iPadOS 16 and 15 throughout the year . But with iPadOS 18 , Apple stopped make out veritable surety updates for iPadOS 15 and iPadOS 16 . ( The last update to iPadOS 16 was in August 2024 ) .
iPadOS 18runs on iPads introduced since 2019.
security measure update are released comparatively frequently and just update the computer code in the scheme to close any potential orbit where hackers or malware could gain memory access . These seem on your gadget as “ full stop ” discharge , such as iPadOS 18.1 , 18.1.1 , 18.2 , etc . , and they make small adjustments to iPadOS and set any security flaws that could put your data at risk .
To find out if you have installed the most recent interlingual rendition of iPadOS go to preferences > General > Software Update and check .
iPadOS 18
iPadOS 18runs on iPads introduced since 2019.
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Which version of iPadOS can I run?
The key is to know which translation of iPadOS your iPad can tend , that fashion you’re able to key out whether Apple is still committed to updating it with security - related fixes . Apple tends to continue security system financial backing for the two or three most recent edition of iPadOS ( Apple tend not to support a third version if the same iPad models are track by the newer version ) .
iPadOS 18 arrived on September 16 , 2024 . It run away on the following models :
With this loop of iPadOS Apple dropped reinforcement for the second - gen 12.9 - inch iPad Pro , the 10.5 - column inch iPad Pro , and the sixth - gen iPad .
iPadOS 17
iPadOS 17 arrived in 2023 and was last updated in August 2024 . It operate on the following modelling , and Apple is issuing computer software update for it ( the most recent was iPadOS 17.7.5 on February 10 , 2025 ) .
iPadOS 17 dropped financial backing for 2016 iPad Pro 9.7 - inch ( A9X chipping ) , 2015 iPad Pro 12.9 - inch ( 1st gen ) ( A9X buffalo chip ) and 2017 iPad ( 5th gen ) which runs on an even slower A9 processor .
Every iOS and iPadOS version and the iPads supported by it.
Which iPads are not supported with any updates?
With the arrival of iPadOS 18 , Apple drop financial support for iPadOS 15 and iPadOS 16 , which means that iPad Air 2nd gen and iPad mini 4 , have been throw away from the list of supported iPads .
Because Apple no longer supports them with security updates , you should nullify any iPads that ca n’t run iPadOS 16 . That include these models :
Keep in mind that in later 2025 iPadOS 17 support might terminate , at which point the following iPads will no longer be support :
Which iPads are supported with full updates?
These are the iPads that get the recent version of the iPadOS – iPadOS 18 . Not every iPad below gets all the feature , many miss out on the Apple Intelligent feature that require an M1 , M2 , M3 or M4 french-fried potatoes found in the iPad Air or iPad Pro , or the A17 Pro silicon chip used in the 2024 iPad mini .
How long does Apple support iPads with security updates?
Apple currently supports security updates for iPadOS 18 and 17 . The previous iPad able to carry iPadOS 18 is from 2018 and the oldest iPad able to endure iPadOS 17 is the tenner - honest-to-god 1st gen 12.9 - inch iPad Pro from 2015 , the 2016 9.7 - inch iPad Pro and the 2017 iPad ( 5th gen ) . Apple may stop security measure updates for iPadOS 17 in later 2025 or 2026 , at which point it will end financial support for those models . Note that the first 12.9 - column inch iPad Pro is already conceive obsolete by Apple ( as you will see in the section below ! )
That is still seven to ten twelvemonth of protection support . When buy an iPad , you’re able to assume between eight and 10 year of security update .
If it ’s the full version of iPadOS you are after , you could anticipate about six years of support – the 3rd - gen iPad Pro 12.9 - in being the oldest iPad that can run iPadOS 18 , and they were introduced in 2018 .
Every iOS and iPadOS version and the iPads supported by it .
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How long does Apple support iPads for repair?
in the main , Apple prompt devices onto theVintage listbetween five and seven years after it stops sell them . Around seven class after Apple stops sell a merchandise it is moved into the disused tilt , though some land have dissimilar convention .
Once see time of origin by Apple , your probability of being able-bodied to get refilling parts is difficult , but when a merchandise is Obsolete you will not be able to get transposition parts . Therefore if it has been five geezerhood since Apple arrest sell an iPad you are improbable to be able to get replacement section if something goes wrong .
The product considered vintage and obsolete are list below .
Vintage iPads
Obsolete iPads
How long should an iPad last?
On the software side of things , it seems from the current example laid out above that you may expect software system security support up to nine years from when an iPad went on sale , however , we would n’t count on that .
Because Apple does n’t view a intersection vintage until five years after it stopped trade it , you’re able to anticipate at least six years of support ( assuming the merchandise was sold for a year , though Apple often sells product for much longer than that ) .
Of course , hardware is the other side of the equation and that can be more random as parts deteriorate or fail . Say your battery animation falls off a drop , you ’ll need to still be within your one - twelvemonth warranty period to have it repaired for innocent . Apple does have a assault and battery renewal inspection and repair though , unremarkably costing $ 99/£99 for a successor and fitting , so this could prolong the hardware side of things for a good while ( fundamentally up until it was moved to the time of origin list five years after Apple blockade selling it ) .
Apple offers hardware service and role for a range of older iPads , all at a price of course of study . On itssite , the ship’s company states , “ owner of iPhone , iPad , iPod , Mac or Apple TV products may get service and parts from Apple help provider , admit Apple Store localization and Independent Repair Providers , for a minimum of 5 years from when Apple last mete out the product for sale ” . This is clarified later in the text , saying that you could get iPads repair up to seven twelvemonth after they were last on sale from Apple . So , if you want to know if your iPad qualifies , simply Google when it was lay off by Apple .
by nature , a 10 - year - former iPad is an impressive effort of lastingness , but it wo n’t be as fun or powerful as a novel one . So , take a looking at at ouriPad buying guideto see what ’s currently on offer . After all , you could be using it for a very long time .
Want to knowhow foresighted Apple supports iPhonesandhow long Apple supports Macs , we have that insure too .
