I want update my iPad iOS 15.0

Hello,

There are different ways to ensure the highest iOS/iPadOS that your device will support is installed on your device.

This support article has instructions about updating an iPhone or iPad wirelessly --> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

You can also use Mac and PC computers to update system software, as outlined in this support article --> Update iPadOS - Apple Support

Use this support article to identify your iPad model --> Identify your iPad model - Apple Support and then the list below to find out what your iPad is capable of running. Alternatively --and somewhat easier-- is to simply try updating it and see if it will update. When updating, your device will update to the highest version currently available that it will support, or it will just say it is up to date (and can't go any higher) and won't install anything. If you want to run a higher system version than your current device will run, you need to buy a newer device.

Use the information in this support article to identify your iPad model--> Identify your iPad model - Apple Support

iPad Air1, iPad mini2 and iPad mini3 will only update to iOS 12.5.7

The tags appended to your iPad suggest that you have an iPad Air with iOS12 installed. The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.7.

Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they continue to receive occasional “point” security updates, the most recent being released January 2023. These devices cannot be updated to iPadOS 13 (or any later major versions of iPadOS) as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements (CPU capabilities and available RAM) for newer versions of iOS/iPadOS.

Some App developers have dropped support for iOS versions preceding iOS 13.x for technical reasons (often because APIs or software libraries upon which they rely have been updated in the new version of iPadOS, making their App incompatible with earlier versions). 

Whilst many App titles remain compatible with your iPad, if you want or need to access to Apps requiring the most recent versions of iOS, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model that supports iPadOS16.

Whether or not you are able to update any iPad to a newer version of iOS/iPadOS will be dictated by the iPad model - and the currently installed version of iOS. You can find this information here:

Settings > General > About

Not sure which iPad you have? Identify your iPad model.

Here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated:

32-bit devices (obsolete)

iPad1 - iOS 5.1.1

iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular)

iPad4 - iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only), iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular)

64-bit devices

iPad Air1, iPad mini2 and iPad mini3 - iOS 12.5.7

iPad Air2, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.7.8

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version, iPadOS 16.6

• iPad Pro (all models)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad (5th generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)

The iPad Air (which is what it shows in your profile) is not capable of running iOS over iOS 12. You aren’t able to update it because the hardware of the iPad does not support newer versions and just is not capable of running it. If you want to update to a higher version of iOS, unfortunately you are going to have to upgrade and get a newer device that is capable of running newer versions.

If you go to update and your iPad tells you “Your software is up to date” and there are newer versions out, that is an indication that the device is running the highest compatible version that it can. You can get to where you can update by going to Settings > General > Software Update. If there is an update available it will tell you what version you can update to. If the iPad is too many updates behind then it may ask you to connect to a computer to update it, but if you get that it is up to date then it can’t be updated any further.

An unit running 12.5.7 isn't capable of 13 or above; for an iPad Air, it's a first generation model.

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