My iPad Air will not update to iOS 13

Hello,

If your iPad will not update past 12 then you have an iPad Air (1st generation). This iPad model does not support any system version newer than 12. You cannot update your iPad any further. If you need to use an application that requires a newer system software version then you will need to purchase a newer iPad model.

If your cannot update beyond iOS 12.4.7, you have an a first generation iPad Air, an iPad mini2 or iPad mini3.

Apple formally ended update support for these models in September 2019. They cannot be updated to iPadOS 13 (or any later major versions of iPadOS) as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements for new 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 iPadOS13.x.

Sorry, I appreciate that this may not be what you were hoping to learn.

I hope this information provides helpful clarity as to your available options - and the limitations of your current iPad mini2.

Apple occasionally release security software updates for older version of iOS - that’s why you are occasionally getting iOS 12 updates.