Getting iBooks app for iPad 1 running iOS 5.1.1

Question

Technill Author

Level 1

5 points

Getting iBooks app for iPad 1 running iOS 5.1.1

Can somebody help me to get the application IBooks for an iPad 1, I would like to use this iPad for reading ebooks.

The iPad runs with iOS 5.1.1.

Posted on Jan 2, 2026 9:42 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Phil0124

Level 10

217,208 points

Jan 2, 2026 11:18 AM in response to Technill

Sorry, not really possible at this point.

iBooks was downloadable from the App Store for iOS 5 devices.

The First generation iPad from 2010, can no longer connect to the App Store due to newer security protocols it does not support.

If you have an old version of iTunes that still supports apps, and has the iBooks app downloaded, you may be able to able to install it on the iPad, but you won't get access to the current Apple Bookstore at this point.

At almost 16 years old, a functional first gen iPad is a display piece, not really a usable device anymore.

Reply

Answer 2

Jan 2, 2026 5:17 PM in response to Technill

In addition to what Phil0124 has said, the current version of the Apple Books app requires iOS 10.0 or later. Your iPad 1 cannot update past iOS 5.1.1, and could not download the current version of the app even if it was able to connect to the App Store.

Reply

Answer 3

Technill Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 3, 2026 4:35 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Thanks for your responds!

I Know that I can’t connect to the App Store. But I still can connect to an old iMac via iTunes. I was hoping someone with an old iPad could send me the iBooks app via WeTransfer.

When I have the app I would be able to transfer ebooks to the iPad, it always was fun to read on the iPad 1. I liked the old iBooks version more then the current one.

Reply