How long does Apple support iPads?
If you own an older iPad – or are considering buying a refurbished iPad – you may be wondering how long Apple will continue to support it and whether you should update to a newer model.
Apple has one of the best software support records in the industry. Many iPads receive major iPadOS updates for six to eight years, and some continue to receive security updates even after they stop getting new features.
As of 2026, any iPad that supports iPadOS 26 can be considered fully supported. Older models may still receive security updates, but eventually every device reaches a point where Apple stops providing software updates and hardware repairs.
Here’s what you need to know about how long iPads remain supported, when it’s time to upgrade, and which older models are still worth buying.
Does Apple support my iPad?
Fully supported iPads can run the latest version of iPadOS, currently iPadOS 26. Later in 2026 Apple will introduce iPadOS 27.
When iPadOS 26 launched in 2025, it didn’t support the 7th-generation iPad. Apple has confirmed that several more models will be unable to upgrade to iPadOS 27 when it arrives later in 2026, including the 2018 3rd-generation iPad Pro, 2019 5th-generation iPad mini, 2019 3rd-generation iPad Air, and 2020 8th-generation iPad.
Older models that cannot run the latest release may continue to receive security updates for several years. However, once Apple stops providing security patches, users may encounter increasing security risks and app compatibility problems.
Apple typically continues providing security updates for unsupported devices for a few years. For example, the 7th-generation iPad still receives iPadOS 18 security updates, with iPadOS 18.7.9 released on May 11, 2026. The 2nd-generation iPad Pro and 6th-generation iPad remain supported through iPadOS 17, which received version 17.7.11 on the same date. Apple also issued security updates for iPadOS 16 and iPadOS 15 at the same time.
As a result, the oldest iPads currently receiving Apple security updates are the 2014 iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4.
Apple may end support for some of these older operating systems when iPadOS 27 launches later in 2026. If your iPad can no longer run the latest version of iPadOS and is no longer receiving security updates, it is nearing the end of its practical lifespan.
Check the chart below to see whether your iPad can run iPadOS 26 or is still receiving security updates.
Each version of iPadOS and the iPads it supports.
Foundry
How long does Apple support iPads?
Foundry
Apple doesn’t publish a formal support timetable, but its track record indicates that most iPads receive major software updates for up to eight years. Currently the oldest iPad able to run the latest version of iPadOS is the 2018 iPad Pro
Security support extends to around ten years. As of May 2026, the 2014 iPad Air 2 was still supported via the iPadOS 15 security update. That’s more than eleven years of security cover.
Support generally falls into two stages:
Major iPadOS updates
Most iPads receive new versions of iPadOS for several years after launch. These updates include new features, interface changes and compatibility improvements.
Devices that support the latest version of iPadOS – currently iPadOS 26 – are considered fully supported.
Security updates
Even after an iPad stops receiving major feature updates, Apple often continues to provide security patches for older versions of iPadOS.
These updates fix vulnerabilities, maintain compatibility with Apple’s services and help extend the safe lifespan of older devices.
For many iPads, security support continues for years after major software support ends.
As of June 2026, Apple is supporting the following iPadOS versions with security updates:
- iPadOS 18 (last updated May 11, 2026)
- iPadOS 17 (last updated May 11, 2026)
- iPadOS 16 (last updated May 11, 2026)
- iPadOS 15 (last updated May 11, 2026)
Why security updates matter: The risks of using an unsupported iPad
Britta O’Boyle
Security updates are more important than feature updates because they protect your data and device from newly discovered vulnerabilities.
Without security updates, an iPad becomes increasingly exposed to threats and may eventually lose compatibility with essential services.
An iPad that still receives security updates can remain safe to use for many everyday tasks, even if it no longer supports the latest version of iPadOS.
Once an iPad stops receiving security updates, it becomes increasingly difficult to recommend using it for anything involving personal information.
Potential issues include:
- Security vulnerabilities that are never patched
- Banking and payment apps ceasing to work
- App Store compatibility problems
- Loss of support for services such as FaceTime and iMessage
- Difficulty activating or restoring the device
- Reduced performance and battery life
Unsupported devices may continue functioning, but their usefulness declines over time.
Which iPads support iPadOS 26?
Foundry
These iPads are compatible with iPadOS 26 and are considered fully supported.
iPadOS 26 arrived in September 2025. It runs on the following iPads:
- iPad Pro 11-inch & 13-inch (M1 and later)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen or later)
- iPad Air (3rd gen and later)
- iPad (8th gen and later)
- iPad mini (5th gen and later)
Not every compatible iPad supports every feature. Apple Intelligence features require newer hardware, including M-series chips in recent iPad Air and iPad Pro models and the A17 Pro chip in the latest iPad mini.
Which iPads will support iPadOS 27?
Apple has confirmed that the following iPads will run iPadOS 27:
- iPad Pro 11-inch & 13-inch (M1 and later)
- iPad Pro 11-inch & 12.9-inch (4rd gen and later)
- iPad Air (4th gen and later)
- iPad (9th gen and later)
- iPad mini (6th gen and later)
Which iPads still receive security updates?
Some iPads that cannot run iPadOS 26 continue to receive security updates via iPadOS 15, iPadOS 16, iPadOS 17 and iPadOS 18.
These versions of iPadOS no longer receive major new features, but do receive important security vulnerabilities.
While Apple provides security updates for iPadOS 15, iPadOS 16, iPadOS 17 and iPadOS 18 the following iPads are secure, the oldest model being the 2014 iPad Air 2nd gen.
- iPad Air (2nd gen)
- iPad mini (4th gen)
- iPad Pro 12.9in (1st gen, 2nd gen)
- iPad Pro 9.7in (1st gen)
- iPad (5th gen and 6th gen)
When iPadOS 27 arrives Apple may stop support for iOS 15 and iOS 16, reducing the list of supported iPads.
When does Apple stop repairing iPads?
Dominik Tomaszewski/IDG
Software support isn’t the only factor that determines an iPad’s lifespan.
Apple also classifies older devices as Vintage or Obsolete, terms that define support statue based on when Apple stopped selling the product.
Vintage products
Products become Vintage between five and seven years after Apple stops selling them.
Apple may still offer repairs, but parts availability is not guaranteed.
Vintage iPads
- iPad mini (4th gen, 2015)
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch (2017)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen, 2018)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd gen, 3rd gen, 2018)
- iPad (6th gen, 2018)
Obsolete products
Products become Obsolete more than seven years after Apple last sold them.
Once an iPad reaches Obsolete status, Apple and Apple Authorised Service Providers can no longer obtain official replacement parts, making repairs significantly more difficult.
Obsolete iPads
- iPad Air (2nd gen and older, 2015)
- iPad mini (4th gen and older, 2014)
- iPad (5th gen and earlier, 2017)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd gen, 2017 and older)
- iPad Pro 9.7-inch (1st gen, 2016)
FAQ
How many years do iPads get updates?
Most iPads receive major iPadOS updates for approximately six to eight years, with security support often continuing beyond that.
Is an old iPad still safe to use?
Yes, provided it continues to receive security updates from Apple.
Can I use an iPad after Apple stops supporting it?
Yes, but you may encounter security risks, app compatibility problems and hardware repair limitations.
Which versions of iPadOS does Apple support with security updates?
As of June 2026, iPadOS 15, iPadOS 16, iPadOS 17 and iPadOS 18 get security updates. We anticipate that Apple will stop supporting iPadOS 15 and iPadOS 16 with the arrival of iPadOS 27.
What is Apple’s oldest supported iPad?
As of mid 2026 the 2014 iPad Air (2nd gen) is the oldest iPad to get security updates, but that it likely to change later in 2026 with the arrival of iPadOS 27.
The oldest supported iPad depends on whether you’re looking at full iPadOS support or security-update support, as Apple often continues providing security updates for older models after major software support ends.
How can I find out how old my iPad is?
To identify your iPad:
- Open Settings
- Go to General
- Tap on About
- Find the Model Name
You can then compare your model with the list above to see what year that iPad was introduced.
Why do some iPads lose support sooner than others
The processor and RAM inside an iPad plays a major role in determining how long it remains supported.
More powerful models generally remain compatible with new features for longer, while entry-level models tend to reach the end of software support sooner.
This is especially important as newer versions of iPadOS introduce increasingly demanding features and AI capabilities.
Should I buy an older iPad?
A refurbished iPad can still be a good purchase, but we recommend choosing a model that supports the current version of iPadOS whenever possible. Read: Best place to buy a refurbished iPad.
If you’re planning to keep the iPad for several years, avoid models that are already limited to security updates only.
For most buyers, choosing an iPad released within the last two generations offers the best balance of performance, longevity and value.
Want to know how long Apple supports iPhones and how long Apple supports Macs, we have that covered too.
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Christopher Holloway is the founder and director of Progressive Robot, a UK-based technology company. A full-stack engineer with more than two decades of experience, he works across PHP development, ecommerce, Linux infrastructure, technical SEO and AI automation, and writes here on technology, AI, hardware and software.
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