If you own an iPad of the old models, you should know that there are ways to update it so that you can surf the net, work, play games or watch series and movies with total comfort. To achieve this, you need to have all the information on how to update an old iPad to the latest version at hand.
Contents
- Howto update an old iPad wirelessly
- 2How to update an old iPad with a computer
- 3Some recommendations before updating an old iPad to its latest version
- 1Check the age of the device
- 2How to know what version of iOS an iPad has
- 3Apple iOS Settings
- 4Make sure updates are available
- 5Make a backup
- 5.1Backup from iCloud
- 4Problems that can occur when updating the iPad
- 1The update download is taking a long time
- 2Unable to verify update
- 3Update progress seems to be stuck
- 4Error message when updating iPad
- 4.1Restart your iPad and try again
- 4.2Check the network status and wait for a while
- 5Conclusions
How to update an old iPad wirelessly
The first option you have to update an iPad through its Internet connection is to check its status through the device’s Settings menu.
However, you must first make sure that your iPad is properly connected to a Wi-Fi network.
To update the iPad wirelessly, you need to follow the steps below:
- The first thing you have to do is enter the Settings menu through the gear wheel icon.
- Once you have entered, you have to click on the General option.
- Next, you need to access the Software Update function.
- At this time you can check if there is any recent version of iOS that you can download.
- Another option is to enable the Automatic Updates feature so that the iPad automatically downloads new iOS updates as soon as they are available.
- In case some version of iOS is available, you have to click on Download and Install.
It should be noted that you must keep your iPad connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi and it is recommended to have connected the charger so that the device does not run out of battery during the process. This is very important when the iPad is low on battery.
How to update an old iPad with a computer
The other option you have available to update your iPad is through a computer that has iTunes installed.
To get this update, it is important that you have previously connected the iPad to the computer, be it Windows or Mac. It must also be connected to the Internet. Then you have to follow the steps listed:
- Having the iPad connected to the computer via the Lightning cable, you have to enter iTunes (It may happen that iTunes opens automatically when the iPad is connected.
- Next, you must click on the General or Settings section in iTunes.
- After this, you have to click on the Check for updates option.
- In case iTunes detects that there is a new version of iOS, you have to click on Download and Install.
Some recommendations before updating an old iPad to its latest version
It is necessary that you consider certain recommendations before proceeding with the installation of new software on an old iPad in order to reduce the risk of any type of inconvenience later appearing. Some of the main recommendations that you should take into account are the following:
Check device age
The Apple company is regularly developing updates to its operating system and sends you a small notification message so that you can update. However, when the iPad you have is an outdated model, it is recommended not to carry out the aforementioned update.
iPad models that cannot be updated to the current versions of the iOS system are as follows:
- iPad: iOS 5.1.1
- iPad2: 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 (1st generation): iOS 12.5.4
- iPad Air 2: iPadOS 13.7
- iPad mini (1st generation): iOS 9.3.6
- iPad mini2: iOS 12.5.4
- iPad mini3: iOS 12.5.4
How to find out what version of iOS an iPad has
Like any Apple device, iPads download the latest version of iOS that is available so that you can install it whenever you prefer. However, the passage of time means that some models no longer have compatibility with new iOS versions. This occurs more frequently in older models.
The process to be able to check which version of iOS you have on your iPad consists of the following steps:
- The first thing is to enter the Settings menu of the device.
- Next, select the General option.
- After this, the Information section is chosen.
- Once you are in this section, you will be able to find the Model Name and Software Version.
- Here you can find out what version of iOS is currently installed on the iPad.
AppleiOS Settings
Generally, most of the models are adaptable, that is, they can almost always be updated. Although, if it is one of the iPad models that Apple launched in its beginnings, what is recommended is that the software is not updated, since the probability that the Tablet will decrease its performance considerably is high.
Make sure updates are available
When trying to upgrade an old iPad it is very necessary to consider this. The first thing you have to do is make sure that updates are available. Only after this, it is recommended what you want to do.
In order to know which updates you can download on the iPad , you have to carry out the following steps:
- First of all, you have to go to General Settings.
- Next, you have to click on the Check for updates option.
- After this, you will quickly be able to see which versions are available on the screen.
- Finally, you have to click Download or Update.
make a backup
Before proceeding with the installation of the iOS 13 version, you must make a backup of your data, using a backup. So, if you happen to lose information in the process of updating to the new operating system, you have the possibility of recovering it again.
The processes required to make backups are as follows:
Backup from iCloud
In order to make a backup of your iPad from the iCloud application, you must follow these steps:
- The first thing you need to do is connect to a Wi-Fi network.
- After this, you have to enter the configuration of your device in order to choose your name and your iCloud.
- Next, you have to choose iCloud backup and you need to make sure that iCloud Backup is enabled.
- The next step will be to choose the option to back up now.
- Finally, you must verify that the backup has been carried out successfully.
Backup using a computer
To make the backup of the iPad from the computer, the steps to follow are the following:
- The first thing to do is enter iTunes and then verify that it is updated to the latest version.
- Now, you have to connect the iPad to the computer and enter your password in case it asks you to.
- Finally, you will have the options of iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, select iPad and then click on the function back up now.
- You can check if the backup has completed properly by selecting the path iTunes Preferences, Edit, Preferences, Devices.
Problems that can occur when updating the iPad
There are likely to be issues when trying to update an iPad to a newer version of iOS. Some of the most common problems that may appear, as well as their possible solutions are the following:
The update download is taking a long time
Sometimes you may notice that the update download for iPad is too slow. It is possible to check the status of your connection by using a speed test. However, sometimes software updates take a long time, even if they are not that heavy.
One of the most frequent reasons is that Apple’s servers are overloaded. This usually happens when the download takes place a few moments after its activation.
In these cases, you just have to wait until the servers are no longer saturated, and if the problem persists, you have to change the Wi-Fi network. Another option that you can also try is to install with your mobile data in a low-weight upgrade.
Unable to verify update
Another problem that occurs most frequently is that when you press the Install option, a message is displayed saying that it is impossible to verify the update.
This message will be accompanied by a text informing you that you are not connected to the Internet and in fact you are on WiFi or with mobile data. In this case you have to try a different Wi-Fi network or you just have to do the installation through a computer through iTunes. This can also apply to the failure when Unable to check for update message appears.
When some time has passed since you tried to update your device and you are still getting error messages, it is recommended that you remove the update. To do this, you must follow the procedure below:
- The first thing is that you enter Settings and go to the General function and then iPad Storage.
- Now, a list of apps will be presented. In it you have to look for the update.
- Finally, click on it and proceed to delete it.
This way you will have the possibility to download the update again and verify that the problem does not continue to appear. If removing the update doesn’t work, you’ll need to go to a computer to perform the update.
Update progress doesn’t seem to be progressing
At the time of the update, it is possible to see a progress bar on the screen that is advancing. It may happen that the wait is so long that the bar seems not to advance. Keep in mind that the installation progress can be very slow depending on the weight of the update and the number of files you have on your device.
What is recommended in these cases is to have the iPad connected to electricity and leave it that way for as long as necessary. If you notice that it gets stuck you can try turning it off in order to force it to start again and if it still doesn’t work, enter DFU mode.
Error message when updating iPad
The error message when updating iPad software can be considered as one of the most common problems. When this error occurs while updating iOS software on iPad, Settings and Close options are presented. So, you can either close the iPad software update error and wait before trying to install it again or go to Settings and fix it from there. Some solutions to this problem are the following:
Restart your iPad and try again
The easiest option is to restart your iPad. Many software update errors are fixed by restarting the device and trying again. This method is also useful when the error is caused by Apple not being able to process a large number of update requests in a specific amount of time. The process consists of performing the following steps:
- When you see the iOS software update error message on the screen, tap on the Close option.
- Then turn off your iPad in the usual way, that is, by pressing the power button for 3-5 seconds.
- Then, you have to slide the bar to the right side at the top of the screen.
- Once the device completely turns off, you have to wait about 10 minutes.
- The next step is to press the power button again and wait for the Apple logo to appear.
- Finally, it will send you to the Lock screen. Unlock your iPad here and try installing the update again.
It is also possible to restart the iPad by simultaneously pressing the main button and the power button for 3 to 5 seconds.
Check the network status and wait a while
The software download process can also be complicated by a congested network or unstable signal. Therefore, it is recommended that you check your network status and wait for a while before trying to update again. To verify the status of the network, there is a procedure that contains the steps indicated below:
- The first thing is to check your router and make sure it is turned on and working properly.
- Then you need to turn it off for about 10-15 minutes and wait.
- Next, turn on the router and connect to Wi-Fi on your iPad.
- When your device connects, go to the Settings menu.
- Then you must choose the General options and then Update Software and try to install the software update again.
Conclusions
Two methods are available to you to update your iPad from an old model to a newer version. You can try the same ones so that you recover that old device and you can use it normally again. This will depend on the model you own, as there are some that can no longer be updated.
In addition, you will be able to identify the problems that occur most frequently during the update process. As well as you have the possible ways to try to solve them.
