I have an iPad mini 4 and it is updated to iOS 12 how can I get iOS 14? It doesn’t show up on the software Update in settings

If your iPad has been stuck on iOS 12, your iPad Mini is either an iPad Mini 2 or 3 model and NOT an iPad Mini 4.

Either iPad Mini model cannot be upgraded beyond any point version of iOS 12 ( currently iOS 12.4.9 ).

An iPad Mini 2 or 3 has underpowered internal hardware that is insufficient for running the new and advanced features of tge newest iPadOS.

Sorry.

If you need/want to iPadOS with updated apps, then you need to seriously consider a new iPad model of a “newer” , used iPad model capable of running the latest iPadOS 14 versions.

There are plenty of newer, older iPad models that can run the current iPadOS 14.

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

I surmise that you have an iPad mini2 or mini3. These models of iPad can only be updated to iOS 12.4.9; if this version is present on your iPad, you certainly do not have an iPad mini4.

You can identify your iPad from iPad Settings:

Settings > General > About

Not sure which iPad you have? Identify your iPad model.

Apple ended update support for these devices in September 2019. They cannot be updated to iPadOS 13 (or any later major versions of iPadOS) as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements (CPU and RAM) for newer versions of iOS/iPadOS.

Some App developers have dropped support for iOS versions preceding iOS 13.x for technical reasons (often because APIs or software libraries upon which they rely have been updated in the new version of iPadOS, making their App incompatible with earlier versions). 

Whilst many App titles remain compatible with your iPad, if you want or need to access to Apps requiring the most recent versions of iOS, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model that supports iPadOS13/14.

I hope this information provides helpful clarity as to your available options - and the limitations of your existing iPad.