How to Make the iPad Too Old to Update

No matter how useful and durable iPads are, you won’t be able to use them for a lifetime. At some point, the iPad becomes obsolete and can’t get the latest iOS update. If you’re having trouble downloading iOS updates or apps refuse to update, you’re probably wondering if your iPad is too old. Here’s an article to help you find the answer to that question and many more that pop up while you’re determining the condition of your iPad.

Table of Contents

Is the iPad too old to update to iPadOS 14?

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/07/Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-1.jpg/v4-460px-Is- Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-1.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/07/Is-Your-iPad-Too- Old-to-Update-Step-1.jpg/v4-728px-Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-1.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

That’s right, if your iPad was released before iPad Air 2. It’s a model that was released in October 2014 and is the oldest iPad series that’s still compatible with iPadOS 14. iPadOS is compatible with some models. older iPads, including iPad Pro 12.9-inch, iPad mini 4, iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad 5th generation, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and iPad Pro. ^{[1] X Research Source} Devices older than these models do not support the improvements and technological changes of iPadOS 14.

Identify the model of iPad you’re using by going to “Settings” and selecting “General”. Next, click “About” and you’ll see the device’s information. ^{[2] X Research Source}
Access a list of all iPad models that can download iPadOS14 by visiting https://www.apple.com/ipados/ipados-14/ and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

How to know iPad is too old to use?

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/46/Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-2.jpg/v4-460px-Is- Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/46/Is-Your-iPad-Too- Old-to-Update-Step-2.jpg/v4-728px-Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Your iPad is not on the latest update compatibility list. With each update, Apple releases a complete list of downloadable devices. ^{[3] X Research Source} If you don’t see your model in the list and you’ve been using it for 5-6 years, your device is too old to download new updates. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/4f/Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-3.jpg/v4-460px-Is- Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/4f/Is-Your-iPad-Too- Old-to-Update-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px-Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

The iPad cannot download new apps or update existing apps. App developers still usually let you use their apps on your old iPad for about 2-3 years, even if the iPad can’t update the operating system. However, after this period, most apps are not compatible with the old iOS version. That means you can’t use the app unless you update to a new version of iOS or can’t get a new app from the app store. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

How to update iPad that can’t be updated?

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/35/Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-4.jpg/v4-460px-Is- Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/35/Is-Your-iPad-Too- Old-to-Update-Step-4.jpg/v4-728px-Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

There is nothing you can do if the device is too old. Unfortunately there’s no way to get around the old iPad’s limitation of not being able to update. These models do not have enough RAM capacity to operate the advanced technology of new updates, such as iPadOS 14. Even though your iPad is not rendered useless (there are still ways to use the old iPad that cannot. update), but you cannot get the new version of iOS. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/df/Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-5.jpg/v4-460px-Is- Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/df/Is-Your-iPad-Too- Old-to-Update-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Make sure iPad has enough space to update. If your iPad isn’t too old and can still be updated but can’t get the update, you’ll need to free up space by deleting unused apps or backed up photos and videos to another device. To view the amount of memory and determine what data to delete, you will go to “Settings” and select “General”. Next, click “Storage [iPad model]”. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Or, you can update your iPad by connecting it to a computer. If your Mac uses macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, use Finder. If your Mac uses macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, or you use a Windows computer, open iTunes. Next, connect the iPad to the computer. All that remains is to use Finder or iTunes to select “Check for Update” and select “Download and Update”. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Can I use an iPad that can’t be updated?

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/8a/Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-6.jpg/v4-460px-Is- Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/8a/Is-Your-iPad-Too- Old-to-Update-Step-6.jpg/v4-728px-Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

You can use your old iPad for another purpose if it can still use the old apps. Although you can’t update the device, you can still use it for a few more years. Some suggestions are as follows: ^{[9] X Research source}

Download your music library to your iPad and connect it to a Bluetooth speaker to use it as a music player.
Use iPad as a remote control. Many TV companies allow you to download apps on your iPad to use the device as a remote control. If your iPad can still load apps, get a compatible app for your TV.
Continue to use your iPad as an in-car navigation system. This only works if your iPad still supports Maps or another navigation app.

What can I do with an old iPad?

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e5/Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-7.jpg/v4-460px-Is- Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-7.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e5/Is-Your-iPad-Too- Old-to-Update-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px-Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-7.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Exchange iPad with Apple. You can exchange some iPad models, including iPad Pro, first-generation iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini at an Apple store if you want to upgrade. Bring your old iPad with you when you buy a new iPad; If you can exchange your old device, you only need to pay for the new iPad with the amount remaining after deducting the value of the old device. ^{[10] X Research Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e5/Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-8.jpg/v4-460px-Is- Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-8.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e5/Is-Your-iPad-Too- Old-to-Update-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px-Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-8.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Turn your iPad over to Apple for recycling. Maybe your iPad is too old and no longer suitable for exchange. In this case, you can take your iPad to an Apple store for them to recycle the device. As such, the iPad can be used for other purposes and properly disposed of. ^{[11] X Research Source}

How to speed up slow old iPad?

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/5d/Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-9.jpg/v4-460px-Is- Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-9.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5d/Is-Your-iPad-Too- Old-to-Update-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-9.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Delete old apps to free up space. Installing many apps slows down your old iPad. Check and remove the app by going to “Settings” and then selecting “General”. Next, click “Storage [iPad model]”. You can also delete apps by tapping and holding the app icon on the home screen, then clicking the “x” in the upper right corner. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Photos and videos synced from another iCloud device often take up a lot of space on iPad. Adjust iPad settings to stop syncing this type of data.
You can delete photos on iCloud by opening settings and selecting “photos” – here you’ll see an option to turn off iCloud photos. Next, go to the iCloud website and delete the photos and videos you want to delete there.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/82/Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-10.jpg/v4-460px-Is- Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-10.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/82/Is-Your-iPad-Too- Old-to-Update-Step-10.jpg/v4-728px-Is-Your-iPad-Too-Old-to-Update-Step-10.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,” bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Restart iPad. This can improve the speed of the iPad. Press and hold the screen on/off button at the top right corner of the iPad. The screen immediately shows the “Slide to Turn Power Off” option. Push the slider to the right and power off iPad for a few seconds. The next step is to power on the iPad by pressing and holding the same button. ^{[13] X Research Source} Press and hold the button until you see the Apple logo appear on the iPad screen.

Steps