Note: Apps and services that send or receive data over a cellular network, or that answer incoming calls, may incur additional fees.
iOS version by device — iOS Ref
These tables show the first and maximum version of iOS or iPadOS for each iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Information about which devices are vintage/obsolete was obtained from this page.
How long does Apple support iPads?
If you have an iPad already or are thinking of picking up an older one, maybe a refurbished model that would save you some money, it’s a good idea to find out how long it will still be able to use apps and services. Here’s a quick guide to how long you should expect an iPad to remain usable.
The crucial thing is whether Apple will update the operating system software that runs on your iPad if it discovers a security flaw. While Apple only issues updates with new features for the current version of the iPadOS, it does issue security updates to older versions of iPadOS, in order to keep older iPads secure. While full iPadOS updates often require system resources that can be too much for older devices, security updates work under the hood and can usually keep an older model going for years after the point where it can receive a new version of iPadOS. This means that the real defining element of how long an iPad can last is security updates. Currently iPads that run the following versions of iPadOS are supported with security updates: It’s interesting to note that iOS 12, which runs on some iPads, was last updated in January 2023, but we don’t expect those devices to have coverage in the future. Despite this iOS 12 coverage, it is best to assume that anything prior to iPadOS 15 is no longer supported with security updates.
The key is to know which version of iPadOS your iPad can run, that way you can identify whether Apple is still committed to updating it with security-related fixes. If Apple drops support for iPadOS 15, then we can add the following to the list of unsupported iPads: As an example of a model that’s still supported by Apple, the iPad Air 2 made its debut in 2014, but received the iPadOS 15.7.9 update in September 2023, meaning that it’s still going almost nine years after its initial release.
Another senior model that received that update was the iPad mini (4th Generation) which came out in 2015. This means that in January 2023 Apple was supporting ten-year-old iPads with security updates, while in September 2023 the company issued a security update that was compatible with the then nine-year-old iPad Air 2.
While security updates are important because they protect the user from those with malicious intent, if your iPad goes wrong you will want to know whether it will be possible to fix it.
Between five and seven years after Apple stops selling products it moves them into the Vintage list. Then around seven years after Apple stops selling products they are moved into the Obsolete list. Therefore if it has been five years since Apple stopped selling an iPad you are unlikely to be able to get replacement parts if something goes wrong.
So it’s not surprising that when iPadOS 17 launches the following iPads will fall off the supported list since they are already vintage: Say your battery life falls off a cliff, you’ll need to still be within your one-year warranty period to have it repaired for free. Apple does have a battery replacement service though, usually costing $99/£99 for a replacement and fitting, so this could prolong the hardware side of things for a good while (essentially up until it was moved to the vintage list five years after Apple stopped selling it). Apple offers hardware servicing and parts for a range of older iPads, all at a cost of course.
Naturally, a ten-year old iPad is an impressive feat of durability, but they won’t be as fun or powerful as a new one.
Apple iPad
The iPad is a line of tablet based computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc. that use Apple’s iOS and iPadOS mobile operating system. Apple maintains a list of Supported iPhone models on its website.
iPad models compatible with iPadOS 17
Note: Apps and services that send or receive data over a cellular network, or that answer incoming calls, may incur additional fees.
Apple security releases
This update has no published CVE entries. This update has no published CVE entries. Apple Watch Series 4 and later 07 Nov 2023 iOS 15.8 and iPadOS 15.8 iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation) 25 Oct 2023 watchOS 10.1 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 25 Oct 2023 macOS Sonoma 14 Mac Studio (2022 and later), iMac (2019 and later), Mac Pro (2019 and later), Mac mini (2018 and later), MacBook Air (2018 and later), MacBook Pro (2018 and later), and iMac Pro (2017) 26 Sep 2023
Safari 16.6.1 macOS Big Sur and Monterey 21 Sep 2023 watchOS 10.0.1 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 21 Sep 2023
watchOS 9.6.3 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 21 Sep 2023 Xcode 15 macOS Ventura 13.5 and later 18 Sep 2023 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 18 Sep 2023 iOS 15.7.9 and iPadOS 15.7.9 iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation) 11 Sep 2023
watchOS 9.6.2 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 07 Sep 2023 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 15 Aug 2023 iOS 15.7.8 and iPadOS 15.7.8 iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation) 24 Jul 2023
watchOS 9.6 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 24 Jul 2023
iOS 15.7.7 and iPadOS 15.7.7 iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation) 21 Jun 2023 watchOS 9.5.2 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 21 Jun 2023 Pro Video Formats 2.2.5 macOS Mojave 10.14.5 and later 23 May 2023 watchOS 9.5 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 18 May 2023 iOS 15.7.6 and iPadOS 15.7.6 iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation) 18 May 2023 iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5 iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation) 10 Apr 2023 Xcode 14.3 macOS Ventura 13.0 and later 30 Mar 2023 Studio Display Firmware Update 16.4 macOS Ventura 13.3 and later 27 Mar 2023
iOS 15.7.4 and iPadOS 15.7.4 iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation) 27 Mar 2023 watchOS 9.4 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 27 Mar 2023 Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) 06 Mar 2023 watchOS 9.3.1 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 13 Feb 2023 iOS 12.5.7 iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch (6th generation) 23 Jan 2023 watchOS 9.3 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 23 Jan 2023
iOS 15.7.3 and iPadOS 15.7.3 iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation) 23 Jan 2023 watchOS 9.2 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 13 Dec 2022
iOS 15.7.2 and iPadOS 15.7.2 iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation) 13 Dec 2022
Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) 16 Nov 2022 Xcode 14.1 macOS Monterey 12.5 and later 01 Nov 2022 macOS Ventura 13 Mac Studio (2022), Mac Pro (2019 and later), MacBook Air (2018 and later), MacBook Pro (2017 and later), Mac mini (2018 and later), iMac (2017 and later), MacBook (2017), and iMac Pro (2017) 24 Oct 2022
watchOS 9.1 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 24 Oct 2022 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 10 Oct 2022 Apple Watch Ultra 22 Sep 2022 watchOS 9 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 12 Sep 2022 Apple Watch Series 3 17 Aug 2022 watchOS 8.7 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 20 Jul 2022
watchOS 8.6 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 16 May 2022 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 31 Mar 2022
Apple TV (3rd generation) 14 Mar 2022 GarageBand 10.4.6 macOS Big Sur 11.5 and later 14 Mar 2022 Logic Pro 10.7.3 macOS Big Sur 11.5 and later 14 Mar 2022 Xcode 13.3 macOS Monterey 12 and later 14 Mar 2022
watchOS 8.5 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 14 Mar 2022 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 10 Feb 2022 Apple Watch Series 4 and later 01 Feb 2022 watchOS 8.4 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 26 Jan 2022
watchOS 8.3 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 13 Dec 2021 Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular) 18 Nov 2021
macOS Monterey 12.0.1 (Advisory includes security content of macOS Monterey 12.0 and macOS Monterey 12.0.1) Mac Pro (2013 and later), MacBook Air (Early 2015 and later), MacBook Pro (Early 2015 and later), Mac mini (Late 2014 and later), iMac (Late 2015 and later), MacBook (Early 2016 and later), iMac Pro (2017 and later) 25 Oct 2021 macOS Monterey 12.0 Preinstalled only on certain Mac models; please update to macOS Monterey 12.0.1 Preinstalled
watchOS 8.1 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 25 Oct 2021
iOS 12.5.5 iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch (6th generation) 23 Sep 2021 Xcode 13 macOS Big Sur 11.3 and later 20 Sep 2021 watchOS 8 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 20 Sep 2021
iTunes U 3.8.3 iOS 12.4 and later or iPadOS 12.4 and later 15 Sep 2021 watchOS 7.6.2 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 13 Sep 2021 macOS Big Sur 11 Aug 2021 watchOS 7.6.1 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 29 Jul 2021
iOS 14.7 iPhone 6s and later, and iPod touch (7th generation) 19 Jul 2021 watchOS 7.6 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 19 Jul 2021
watchOS 7.5 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 24 May 2021 Boot Camp 6.1.14 Mac Pro (Late 2013 and later), MacBook Pro (Late 2013 and later), MacBook Air (Mid 2013 and later), Mac mini (Mid 2014 and later), iMac (Mid 2014 and later), MacBook (Early 2015 and later), iMac Pro (Late 2017) 17 May 2021
watchOS 7.4.1 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 03 May 2021 Xcode 12.5 macOS Big Sur 11 and later 26 Apr 2021 watchOS 7.4 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 26 Apr 2021 GarageBand 10.4.3 macOS Big Sur 06 Apr 2021
iOS 12.5.2 iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch (6th generation) 26 Mar 2021 watchOS 7.3.3 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 26 Mar 2021 watchOS 7.3.2 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 08 Mar 2021
iOS 14.4.1 and iPadOS 14.4.1 iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation) 08 Mar 2021 iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation) 26 Jan 2021 watchOS 7.3 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 26 Jan 2021
iOS 14.3 and iPadOS 14.3 iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation) 14 Dec 2020 watchOS 7.2 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 14 Dec 2020 macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 Mac mini (M1, 2020), MacBook Air (M1, 2020), MacBook Air (13-inch, 2020) 17 Nov 2020 Security Update 2020-006 High Sierra, Security Update 2020-006 Mojave macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, macOS Mojave 10.14.6 12 Nov 2020 macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 (Advisory includes security content of macOS Big Sur 11.0 and macOS Big Sur 11.0.1) Mac Pro (2013 and later), MacBook Air (2013 and later), MacBook Pro (Late 2013 and later), Mac mini (2014 and later), iMac (2014 and later), MacBook (2015 and later), iMac Pro (all models) 12 Nov 2020 macOS Big Sur 11.0 Preinstalled only on certain Mac models; please update to macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 Preinstalled
watchOS 7.1 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 05 Nov 2020 watchOS 5.3.9 Apple Watch Series 1 and later 05 Nov 2020
iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2 iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation) 05 Nov 2020
iOS 12.4.9 iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2 and 3, iPod touch (6th generation) 05 Nov 2020 watchOS 7.0 Apple Watch Series 3 and later 16 Sep 2020 iOS 14.0 and iPadOS 14.0 iPhone 6s and later, iPod touch 7th generation, iPad Air 2 and later, and iPad mini 4 and later 16 Sep 2020
iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2 and 3, iPod touch (6th generation) 15 Jul 2020 iOS 13.6 and iPadOS 13.6 iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch 7th generation 15 Jul 2020
watchOS 6.2.8 Apple Watch Series 1 and later 15 Jul 2020
macOS Catalina 10.15.5 Supplemental Update, Security Update 2020-003 High Sierra macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, macOS Catalina 10.15.5 01 Jun 2020 watchOS 6.2.6 Apple Watch Series 1 and later 01 Jun 2020 iOS 13.5.1 and iPadOS 13.5.1 iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch 7th generation 01 Jun 2020
Windows Migration Assistant 2.2.0.0 (v. 1A11) macOS Catalina 26 May 2020 iOS 13.5 and iPadOS 13.5 iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch 7th generation 20 May 2020 watchOS 6.2.5 Apple Watch Series 1 and later 18 May 2020 Xcode 11.4.1 macOS Catalina 10.15.2 and later 15 Apr 2020
iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4 iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch 7th generation 24 Mar 2020 watchOS 6.2 Apple Watch Series 1 and later 24 Mar 2020 Apple Watch Series 1 and later 18 Feb 2020 iOS 13.3.1 and iPadOS 13.3.1 iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch 7th generation 28 Jan 2020
watchOS 6.1.2 Apple Watch Series 1 and later 28 Jan 2020
iPadOS Compatibility Chart
With the introduction of iPadOS, Apple’s dedicated tablet operating system, users have been keen to find out if their device is compatible. In 2019, Apple announced iPadOS as a distinct break from iOS, focusing on enhancing user experience on larger tablet screens. It’s essential to stay updated on which iPads can operate on the latest iPadOS to maximize features and security. Older devices may lack the necessary hardware or performance capabilities, leading to Apple’s decision to limit compatibility. Yes, while both originate from the same base, iPadOS is optimized for tablet use, introducing features like Split View, enhanced Apple Pencil support, and better multitasking. Older iPads that aren’t compatible with newer iPadOS versions will still function but won’t receive the latest features or security updates.
By staying informed, you can plan potential upgrades and continue to enjoy a seamless, feature-rich experience on your iPad.
Apple iPad
The iPad is a line of tablet based computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc. that use Apple’s iOS and iPadOS mobile operating system. Apple maintains a list of Supported iPhone models on its website.
iPadOS 17 compatibility: What iPads are supported?
We’ve gotten a second prediction about what iPads will lose compatibility when Apple releases its next major software update this year. In early April, we saw our first rumor of what iPhones and iPads would lose support with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. It came from an anonymous Twitter account that has correctly predicted details about Apple software updates in the past. Now iPhoneSoft has shared it has heard from a source at Apple about iPadOS 17 compatibility and it matches the first rumor. Another thing to keep in mind, even though iPads from 2017 and on should be compatible with iPadOS 17, older devices generally don’t support all the latest features and capabilities that come with the newest software.
Chart: iOS 17 Drops Support for iPhone 8 and X
Simply copy the HTML code that is shown for the relevant statistic in order to integrate it.
iOS version history
[2] With iOS 13, Apple began offering a separate operating system, iPadOS, for the iPad. iOS is also the foundation of the newer audioOS and tvOS, and shares some of its code with macOS. New iOS versions are released every year alongside new iPhone models. From its launch in 2007 until 2010, this occurred in June or July, since then, new major versions are released in September or October.
a b For the first generation iPhone and iPod Touch, the latest supported version is iOS 3.1.3, released February 2, 2010. A number of different user interfaces were prototyped, including one that involved a multi-touch click-wheel.
iPhone OS 1 was criticized for its lack of support for Adobe Flash web content, copy and paste, and Bluetooth stereo headphones. [14] The release of iPhone OS 2.1.1 brought support for the second generation iPod Touch.
Apple announced iOS 4 in April 2010,[28] and released it to the public on June 21, 2010, alongside the iPhone 4. [25] It was the first version of the operating system to be called “iOS”, due to the iPad being released. With this release, Apple dropped support for the original iPhone and the first generation iPod Touch, which is the first time Apple had dropped support for any device in an iOS release. [25] The iPhone 3G and the second generation iPod Touch were capable of running iOS 4, but had more limited features.
For example, both devices lacked multitasking,[29] and the ability to set a custom home screen wallpaper. [30] This was also the first major release to be free of charge for iPod Touch users. Apple announced iOS 5 on June 6, 2011, at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event,[33] and it was released to the public on October 12, 2011, alongside the iPhone 4S. With this release, Apple did not drop support for these devices,[34] though support for the iPhone 3G and the iPod Touch (2nd generation) had already been dropped with iOS 4.3 seven months earlier due to hardware limitations and performance issues.
Apple announced iOS 6 on June 11, 2012, at its annual Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event, and it was released to the public on September 19, 2012, alongside the iPhone 5, iPod Touch (5th generation), and iPad (4th generation). iOS 6.1.6 was the final release supported for the iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch (4th generation).
Apple announced iOS 7 on June 10, 2013, at its annual Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event, and it was released to the public on September 18, 2013, alongside the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. Apple announced iOS 8 on June 2, 2014, at its annual Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event, and it was released to the public on September 17, 2014, alongside the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Apple announced iOS 9 on June 8, 2015, at its annual Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event, and it was released to the public on September 16, 2015, alongside the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and iPad Mini 4.
Despite Apple’s promise of better performance on these devices, there were still widespread complaints that the issue had not been fixed.
Apple announced iOS 10 on June 13, 2016, at its annual Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event, and it was released to the public on September 13, 2016, alongside the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. iOS 10.3.3 is the final supported release for the iPhone 5C and the Wi-Fi—only iPad (4th generation), while iOS 10.3.4 is the final supported release for the iPhone 5 and the iPad (4th generation) with cellular modem.
Apple announced iOS 11 on June 5, 2017, at its annual Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event, and it was released to the public on September 19, 2017, alongside the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. [42] However, several new features were also introduced with the update, such as Memoji, a feature that allows users to create “personalized emojis”,[43] a new Screen Time feature to track device usage,[44] improvements to Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant,[45] and Apple’s book reading application, Apple Books (previously named iBooks), was given a significant redesign.
Apple announced iOS 13 on June 3, 2019, at its annual Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event, and it was released to the public on September 19, 2019, alongside the iPhone 11 series (11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max).
The principal features include an option for dark mode and Memoji support for A9+ devices.
The NFC framework now supports reading several types of contactless smartcards and tags. Some new features introduced in iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 include redesigned widgets that can now be placed directly on the home screen (only for iOS); the App Library, which automatically categorizes apps into one page; Picture-in-Picture in iPhone and iPod Touch; and the CarKey technology to unlock and start a car with NFC. iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 also allow the user to have incoming calls shown in banners rather than taking up the whole screen (the latter view is still available as an optional function). Apple announced iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 on June 7, 2021, at its annual WWDC 2021 event, with a developer beta released on the same day and a public beta released a few weeks later, at the end of June 2021.
Apple announced iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 on June 6, 2022, at its annual WWDC 2022 event, with a developer beta released the same day. iOS 16 introduced several major new features to the operating system, such as a comprehensive overhaul of the lock screen which added support for widgets and various customization features such changing the font and color of the time and date display, more customization options for wallpapers, along with the ability to have multiple lock screens, the ability to edit and unsend messages sent via iMessage, support for Live Activities via ActivityKit (added in iOS 16.1), among other features. [54] iOS 16 also introduced support for a new update type entitled Rapid Security Response, a type of update that focuses only on fixes for security vulnerabilities, however this feature was not used until after the release of iOS 16.4.1. Apple announced iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 on June 5, 2023, at its annual WWDC 2023 event, with a developer beta released the same day.
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