How long does Apple support iPads?

Macworld

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.

Is my iPad still supported?

Fully supported iPads can run the latest version of iPadOS (currently iPadOS 26).
Older iPads may continue to receive security updates even if they cannot run the latest version.
Unsupported iPads no longer receive security patches and may experience app compatibility and security issues.

If your iPad cannot run the current version of iPadOS and is no longer receiving security updates, it is approaching the end of its practical lifespan.

Take a look at the chart below to check if your iPad can run iPadOS 26, or is supported with security updates.

Foundry

How long does Apple support iPads?

Apple doesn’t publish a formal support timetable, but its track record indicates that most iPads receive major software updates for around six to eight years.

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 iOS 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 yet to confirm which iPads will run iPadOS 27, but it is expected that it will be compatible with 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
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)

Why 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 you 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.

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.