iPadOS compatibility guide

  • Updated

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iPads compatible with iPadOS 26

Apple Intelligence requirements

iPads no longer supported

What apps will work on my iPad?

 

iPads Compatible with the latest iPadOS 26

If you have any of these iPads, you'll be able to update to iPadOS 26 starting September 2025.

iPad

  • iPad (A16)
  • iPad (10th generation)
  • iPad (9th generation)
  • iPad (8th generation)

iPad Air

  • iPad Air (3rd generation) 
  • iPad Air (4th generation) 
  • iPad Air (5th generation) 
  • iPad Air 11-inch (M2) 
  • iPad Air 11-inch (M3) 
  • iPad Air 13-inch (M2) 
  • iPad Air 13-inch (M3) 

iPad Pro

11-inch models:

  • iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (M4 & M5)

12.9-inch & 13-inch models:

  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
  • iPad Pro 13-inch (M4 & M5)

iPad mini

  • iPad mini (A17 Pro)
  • iPad mini (6th generation)
  • iPad mini (5th generation)

 

However, Apple Intelligence features will only be available on these iPad models:

  • iPad mini (A17 Pro)
  • iPad Air 11-inch (M2 and later)
  • iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (M1 and later)
    • iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
    • iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
    • iPad Pro 11-inch (M4 & M5)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1 and later)
    • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
    • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
    • iPad Pro 13-inch (M4 & M5)

For optimal security and performance, we recommend updating your iPad with the latest available version of iPadOS. Learn more about updating your iPadOS

Don't forget to back up your iPad! At Back Market, we recommend backing up your data regularly — and Apple does too. Learn more about backing up your data

iPads No Longer Supported

Planned software obsolescence is the acceleration of a device's aging by updating its operating system. It's ugly, and at Back Market, it's our mission to fight against it, one renewed device at a time.

The following iPad models have reached the end of software support and cannot be upgraded beyond the listed maximum operating system:

Recently Discontinued Support (iPadOS 15-18):

  • iPad (7th generation) - Maximum OS: iPadOS 18
  • iPad (6th generation) - Maximum OS: iPadOS 17
  • iPad Pro 10.5-inch - Maximum OS: iPadOS 17
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) - Maximum OS: iPadOS 17
  • iPad (5th generation) - Maximum OS: iPadOS 16
  • iPad Pro 9.7-inch - Maximum OS: iPadOS 16
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation) - Maximum OS: iPadOS 16
  • iPad Air 2 - Maximum OS: iPadOS 15
  • iPad mini 4 - Maximum OS: iPadOS 15

If your iPad runs iPadOS 13-18: Some apps will work, but many popular apps require newer iPadOS versions.

Limited Functionality (Maximum iOS 12.5.7):

  • iPad Air (1st generation) - Maximum OS: iOS 12.5.7
  • iPad mini 3 - Maximum OS: iOS 12.5.7
  • iPad mini 2 - Maximum OS: iOS 12.5.7

Before iPadOS 13 (released in 2019), the operating system for iPad was called iOS. Starting with version 13, Apple rebranded it as iPadOS to better reflect the iPad's unique capabilities.

If your iPad is limited to iOS 12 or lower, most modern apps will no longer work, and the App Store may be severely limited.

Very Limited Functionality:

  • iPad (4th generation) - Maximum OS: iOS 10.3.4
  • iPad mini (1st generation) - Maximum OS: iOS 9.3.5
  • iPad (3rd generation) - Maximum OS: iOS 9.3.5
  • iPad (2nd generation) - Maximum OS: iOS 9.3.5
  • iPad (1st generation) - Maximum OS: iOS 5.1.1

Many popular apps require recent operating systems. If your iPad runs iOS 10 or older, you can only use pre-installed apps like Safari, Calendar, and Notes – you cannot download new apps from the App Store.

Which Apps Will Work on My iPad?

If your iPad runs iPadOS 13-17: Some apps will work, but many popular apps require newer versions. Here are the requirements for some commonly used apps:

Social Media:

  • Instagram - Requires iPadOS 15.1 or later.
  • WhatsApp - Requires iPadOS 15.1 or later.

Business:

  • Zoom - Requires iPadOS 15 or later.
  • Slack - Requires iPadOS 16 or later.
  • Microsoft Teams - Requires iPadOS 17 or later.Microsoft Outlook - Requires iPadOS 18 or later.

Entertainment:

  • YouTube - Requires iPadOS 16 or later.
  • Netflix - Requires iPadOS 18 or later.

If you can’t find the specs you’re looking for, you can try searching for the device on these sites:
For Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch: https://everymac.com/ 

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