Apple released iPadOS 15 in 2021, but which older iPads can be updated to the software? The first iPad was launched in April 2010 and ran iPhone OS 3.2 designed for iPhones and iPods. Since then, Apple has released countless iPads under different lineups, including the standard iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.
It wasn’t until 2019 that Apple released a dedicated operating system for iPads called iPadOS. Alongside iOS 13, iPad s received the iPadOS 13 update. Since then, Apple has regularly released updates for iPadOS alongside the various iOS updates. iPadOS also brings some features exclusive to Apple tablets, such as Center Stage and Stage Manager.
iPadOS 15 is the third major operating system update for iPads. the sixth generation iPad mini launched in 2021, and the ninth generation iPad launched in 2021. In fact, all the iPads mentioned above, barring the iPad Pro, shipped with iPadOS 15 at the time of launch.
These Old iPads iPadOS 15
The oldest iPad that can iPadOS 15 is the iPad Air 2, released in 2014. At the time of its launch, the iPad Air 2 shipped with iOS 8.1. All subsequent iPad Air models are also eligible for the update. On the official iPadOS 15 preview page, Apple mentions that the operating system is also available on the first 9.7-inch iPad Pro, released in 2015. s with the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation) and the iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) and later can also iPadOS 15. As for the iPad mini series, s who have the iPad mini 4 or later can and install the iPadOS 15 update. Last but not least, the iPad (5th generation) launched in 2017 and later models can also run iPadOS 15.
Incredibly, iPadOS 15 is compatible with an iPad that was released eight years ago. However, Apple is expected to drop for the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 with the next iPadOS update. Additionally, Apple is also prepping to release iPadOS 16. Apple usually announces new iOS and iPadOS versions at the same time, but this year, iPad s will have to wait a little longer to get the update.
Source: Apple