Potential issues with iPadOS 26 on iPad 7th gen

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Esap1944 Author

Level 1

18 points

Potential issues with iPadOS 26 on iPad 7th gen

My IPad is a basic 10.2”, 7th Gen device, running iPadOS 18.7.1, and is working perfectly. My concern is, I keep reading comments about problems with iPadOS 26. When is this update supposed to be available for my device? The reason i want to ask, is that I want to avoid this potentially harmful update. Has Apple done anything to mitigate the reported problems?

I do want to keep my IPad updated for security reasons and bug fixes, but I don’t want to do this if it’s going to ruin my device. Thanks in advance for your guidance.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Concerns about iOS 26

iPad, iPadOS 18

Posted on Nov 4, 2025 10:41 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Phil0124

Level 10

215,996 points

Nov 4, 2025 10:47 AM in response to Esap1944

It's not going to be available for it at all.

iPad OS 26 is not compatible with a 7th Generation iPad.

iPad 8th generation or later only.

click here ➜ iPadOS 26 is compatible with these devices - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Nov 4, 2025 10:55 AM in response to Esap1944

Ultimately, whilst many App titles remain compatible with your iPad, if you want or need to access to Apps requiring a more recent version of iPadOS than your iPad is capable, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a much newer or current model that supports iPadOS 26.

As of 3 November 2025, here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated:

32-bit devices (obsolete)

iPad1 - iOS 5.1.1

iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi+Cellular)

iPad4 - iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only), iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi+Cellular)

64-bit devices

iPad Air1*, iPad mini2* and iPad mini3* - iOS 12.5.7

iPad Air2*, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.8.5

iPad5*, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" 1st generation)* - iPadOS 16.7.12

iPad6, iPad Pro (10.5"/12.9" 2nd generation) - iPadOS 17.7.10

iPad7 - iPadOS 18.7.1

(*) obsolete

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 26.1, or optionally if running iPadOS 18.x to iPadOS 18.7.1

iPad Pro 13" (M4)
iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd generation and later)
iPad Pro 11" (1st generation and later + M4)
iPad Air (3rd generation and later + M2/M3)
iPad (8th generation and later + A16)
iPad mini (5th generation and later + A17 Pro)

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