Having problems when trying to upgrade your iPad to the latest ios version? Worry not, we’re going to show you what to do when you can’t upgrade your iPad. Each year, Apple puts out a new version of the operating system for iPads, which include bug fixes, new features, and improved security.
The main reasons why you can’t update an iPad to the latest ios version are an obsolete iPad or lack of storage space. However, if your iPad is obsolete, you can only fix it by buying a new one.
Apple also changed how it updates ios with a recent release that allows upgrades to be done with smaller storage space. You may need about 2GB of free space to upgrade, so if you’re running out of it, you may not get the download option. Instead, you’ll get a link that shows your iPad’s usage.
That’s how Apple tells you in a not-so-polite way to free up some storage by removing some apps, multimedia files and more from the iPad before the upgrade is made. This is easy to do and solve, as most of us have apps or games we don’t or have never used.
What to do when you can’t upgrade your iPad
Charge your iPad
If the iPad’s battery life is below 50 percent, you can’t upgrade it without plugging it into a power outlet. You can connect to your computer, but charging it up using an AC adapter is the best way with a direct connection to a wall outlet. The good thing is your iPad can upgrade during the night, but you don’t get to choose this option. You have to wait until it pops up the “new update is available” message and select “Later”.
Buy a new iPad
If your iPad is obsolete, you have to buy a new one, sadly. Apple releases a new iPad lineup each year to go with the new operating system, which is compatible with most existing iPads for many people so they need not upgrade the tablet. However, the company has slowly stopped support for older iPad models so as to add more features.
The first iPad to lose this support was the original model, whose last version supports ios 5.1.1. iPad 2 and iPad 3 as well as iPad Mini are on ios 9.3.5, while iPad 4 doesn’t support updates beyond ios 10.3.3.
Why your iPad can’t run the latest ios version
iPad dropped support for the original model as it had only 256MB RAM memory, which it used to run the OS and apps – not the 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and others that it uses to store apps. Memory restrictions with this model would’ve made advanced iPad features like multitasking and virtual touch pad impossible.
Similarly, the iPad was moved from a 32-bit architecture to 64-bit with iPad Air, which basically makes it more efficient, but also caused the iPad 2/3/4 and Mini not to be compatible with new updates.
Sadly, there’s nothing that can be done about it except buying a new iPad, but yours should still work and so should the apps. What you can’t get are new features or latest apps, but you can also sell your iPad or trade it in.
Elsie is a tech writer with 8+ years professional experience. For Tech News Watch, she brings rich experience contributing to topics such as Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS among others. In her spare time, she loves checking out the latest tech trends, gadgets, and news, listening to music and cars.
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