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but I can’t buy certain apps in my store because it says I need to upgrade to the latest iOS 14 what do I do

For some reason I can’t update my mini pad from a 12.5 iOS and every time I try to get an app in the App Store keeps saying that I need the latest iOS 14But every time I try to update and the general section he keeps saying I have the latest iOS which my mini iPad is running out of 12.5 and I’m trying to upgrade to the latest

iPad mini, iOS 12

Posted on Dec 22, 2021 2:20 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 22, 2021 2:21 AM

The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.5.


Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they since continue to receive “point” security updates - the most recent being released just recently. These devices 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 iPadOS15.


Sorry, I appreciate that this may not be what you were hoping to learn.


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

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 22, 2021 2:21 AM in response to Buddha_360

The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.5.


Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they since continue to receive “point” security updates - the most recent being released just recently. These devices 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 iPadOS15.


Sorry, I appreciate that this may not be what you were hoping to learn.


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

Dec 22, 2021 6:18 AM in response to Buddha_360

Hi , let me share a workaround to help you and telling you how to disnload apps that aren’t compatible with a old iOS versions , 1- if you have another apple devices that is running iOS 13,14 or 15 do this .

2-if that iPad mini it’s using the same iCloud Apple ID from the other devices then go to the purchase section find those apps tap over the little cloud ☁️ With an arrow pointing down 👇, and wait for a message that will days “ you are download an app etc etc , just tap on do’s load button and that’s it you can have them installed

but I can’t buy certain apps in my store because it says I need to upgrade to the latest iOS 14 what do I do

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