What Version of iOS or iPadOS Does My iPad Have and How is it Updated?

Whether with iOS or iPadOS, Apple tablets have an operating system adapted to their screens, with functions of all kinds that have been added over the years and that increasingly differ from the first versions and those that are added to iPhones. In this article we will tell you all about iPad updates, how often they come out or how to know which version your device can support.

Do iPads carry iOS or iPadOS?

Actually they carry both, not at the same time, but there may be iPad compatible with versions of both systems. Since the launch of the original iPad in 2010, Apple tablets had iOS as a version of the operating system and although it included some other exclusive functionality that iPhones with iOS did not have, the vast majority of changes were shared by both teams. However, in 2019 iPadOS was presented as an exclusive version of the tablet, starting with version ’13’ to go along with iOS. Therefore there were iPads that went from iOS 12 to iPadOS 13.

ios-ipados

To this day, iPads continue to start largely from the novelties that iPhones have in iOS, although they are increasingly having more specialized functions such as those related to the use of external accessories such as keyboards, mice or the Apple Pencil.

How to find out the software version of an iPad

Knowing which version of iOS or iPadOS you have to know if it is the latest available, is as simple as going to Settings> General> Information and looking at the “Software version” section , which is usually the second below the name of the iPad .

Versión iPadOS

How to update iPadOS

If you want to find an update to the operating system of your iPad, you must go to Settings> General> Software update . If there is an update available, you can download and install it, although you must have an internet connection to download and have at least 50% battery for installation, although if you do not have it you can connect it to the charger and install it without problems. If there is no new update, you will be informed in that same section.

How often does an iPad update come out?

There really is no stipulated update schedule, although there are usually updates every 1-2 months so that not only is it guaranteed that there are new features in the system, but also that security patches are in place.

In the months of June the major updates are presented such as iPadOS 13 or iPadOS 14 or will be iPadOS 15. These enter the beta phase during subsequent months and end up arriving in September. After this can come the so-called intermediate updates such as iPadOS 14.1, iPadOS 14.2, etc. These are usually launched, as we have already said, every 1-2 months. There may also be triple-digit updates like iPadOS 14.1.1, iPadOS 14.1.2. The latter are not planned as such, but are released between intermediate versions when there is a major bug that needs to be resolved and the next intermediate version cannot be waited for.

actualizar ipados

What happens if the tablet is not updated

Nothing should happen, but it is advisable to always have the iPad updated to the latest version available due to the fact that this way you will have guarantees that it has the latest Apple security measures that will prevent it from becoming a vulnerable device. Although that is not a trivial issue, apart from that you will only be depriving yourself of enjoying visual and functional novelties that the latest version has brought.

It should be noted that if the iPad has to be repaired due to a problem caused by the software, Apple will ask you to update it in order to access the repair service. Therefore it is also important in this aspect and it is a way of showing that the fault is real and is not solved with the latest update.

IOS / iPadOS versions that support iPads

When it comes to software, there are two types of iPad: those that no longer receive updates and those that do. We explain what they are and what latest versions they have available.

iPad that no longer update

It should be noted that the fact that an iPad no longer supports updates does not mean that they are tickets, since they can continue to be fully functional. They will not have the latest visual and functional novelties, but in some cases they do receive complementary updates to solve any important performance or security problem, but always being a version no higher than the one they already have as the latest available.

  • iPad
    • iPad (original): iOS 5.1.1
    • iPad 2: iOS 9.3.5
    • iPad (3rd generation): iOS 9.3.5 and iOS 9.36 for Cellular versions)
    • iPad (4th generation): iOS 10.3.4
  • iPad Air
    • iPad Air (1st generation): iOS 12.5.1
    • iPad Air 2: iPadOS 13.7
  • iPad mini
    • iPad mini (1st generation): iOS 9.3.6
    • iPad mini 2: iOS 12.5.1
    • iPad mini 3: iOS 12.5.1

iPad 1

iPads that keep updating

This is the list of iPads that are still upgradeable today. Some of them could stop being it soon and go to the other list, but the vast majority will be able to continue updating a few more versions. The latest version is iPadOS 14.4 released on January 26, 2021 and these are the supported devices:

  • iPad
    • iPad (5th generation)
    • iPad (6th generation)
    • iPad (7th generation)
    • iPad (8th generation)
  • iPad mini
    • iPad mini 4
    • iPad mini (5th generation)
  • iPad Air
    • iPad Air 2
    • iPad Air (3rd generation)
    • iPad Air (4th generation)
  • iPad Pro
    • iPad Pro (9.7-inch)
    • iPad Pro (10.5-inch)
    • iPad Pro (11-inch, 1st generation)
    • iPad Pro (11-inch, 2nd generation)
    • iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 1st generation)
    • iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 2nd generation)
    • iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 3rd generation)
    • iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 4th generation)

The next update for the previous iPads will be iPadOS 14.5 , a version that is still in beta and could be launched in mid-March 2021, although there is no official confirmation about the date.

iPadOS iPad Air 2020

Does it work the same on all devices?

Oddly enough, the same version of iPadOS may not include the same functionality for all computers that can upgrade to it. Although this is not usually generalized, it usually occurs with certain functions related to compatibility with Apple Pencil or similar. For the rest, it could be said that 99% of the functionalities of a software version are available on all computers that can adopt that version.