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iPad iOS upgrade

I am new to apple ipad, my wife purchased me an iPad that has the 10.3.3 iOS on it while trying to download different apps from the App Store. My pad is telling me I need to upgrade to at least 11.0 iOS can you give me some guidance as to accomplishing this ?

iPad, iOS 10

Posted on May 30, 2021 2:02 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 30, 2021 4:10 PM

If your iPad is currently running, or cannot be updated beyond iOS 10.3.3/4, then have an iPad4.


Update support for iPad4 ended September 2017. The final iOS releases for this model were iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only models) and iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular). iPad4 cannot be updated to any later major version of iOS as it lacks the minimum hardware requirements needed to run more recent versions. The 32-bit platform upon which the iPad4 is based is obsolete.


Many App Developers have also dropped support for older devices and iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13 - and have withdrawn older versions of their Apps from the Apple App Store. Withdrawal of Apps supporting older models of iPad is making their utility and usefulness significantly more limited. Once compatible versions Apps are withdrawn, you’ll not be able (re)download or (re)install them.


If Apps that you need to use now have higher minimum iOS-version requirements, your only option is to replace your iPad with newer model. Of current models, even the entry-level iPad8 supports current iPadOS 14 - and has hardware specifications and capabilities that vastly outperform your old iPad4.


I hope this information is helpful - if only in clearly stating the limitations of your iPad4 and your available options.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 30, 2021 4:10 PM in response to Sterlingr54

If your iPad is currently running, or cannot be updated beyond iOS 10.3.3/4, then have an iPad4.


Update support for iPad4 ended September 2017. The final iOS releases for this model were iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only models) and iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular). iPad4 cannot be updated to any later major version of iOS as it lacks the minimum hardware requirements needed to run more recent versions. The 32-bit platform upon which the iPad4 is based is obsolete.


Many App Developers have also dropped support for older devices and iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13 - and have withdrawn older versions of their Apps from the Apple App Store. Withdrawal of Apps supporting older models of iPad is making their utility and usefulness significantly more limited. Once compatible versions Apps are withdrawn, you’ll not be able (re)download or (re)install them.


If Apps that you need to use now have higher minimum iOS-version requirements, your only option is to replace your iPad with newer model. Of current models, even the entry-level iPad8 supports current iPadOS 14 - and has hardware specifications and capabilities that vastly outperform your old iPad4.


I hope this information is helpful - if only in clearly stating the limitations of your iPad4 and your available options.

May 30, 2021 2:19 PM in response to Sterlingr54

While it’s great that you’re new to iPad (welcome to Apple’s world!), it sounds very much like the iPad itself you’re using is far from new.


The fourth generation iPad, released by Apple in 2012, cannot be upgraded beyond iOS 10.3.X.


If you think this may not properly describe your iPad, then go to Settings > General > About > Model … and report the results here.

iPad iOS upgrade

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