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iPad 2019 iPad (7th generation) 10.2-inch – which version of iPadOS?

M

Moreplease

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 20, 2024
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This iPad ran out of storage space back in 2023 but struggled on for a while as a YouTube player around the house.

Recently it started crashing, I think because the storage space was totally gone (like 200 MB free).

I’ve finally wiped it and reset it, this time NOT connecting it to my Apple ID account. Planning to keep it lean for content consumption.

Here’s my problem. It’s running iPadOS 16.6.1, which came out in 2023. That was the last time I had enough storage space to update.

I would like to now update to the latest iPadOS 16 version, which is currently 16.7.12. But I am given no way to do this.

My only option in Settings > General > Software Update is to upgrade to 18.7.1. I presume that will be dog-slow on an iPad this old.

Is there any way to update to the latest iPadOS 16? Why wouldn’t Apple let me get all those security updates?
 
No. Apple has stopped signing iPadOS 16 a long time ago for iPads that can run at least iPadOS 17. You are out of luck. Your only option is to not update.
 
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Shirasaki said:
No. Apple has stopped signing iPadOS 16 a long time ago for iPads that can run at least iPadOS 17. You are out of luck.
Click to expand...
That sucks. I wonder why Apple does that? Wouldn’t it make sense to let me at least run a more secure iPadOS 16 if I’m gonna stick with that?

Shirasaki said:
Your only option is to not update.
Click to expand...
Understood. What would you advise I do? Upgrade to iPadOS 18 anyway?

Planning to use this for occasional web browsing, viewing Maps to plan trips, AirDropping photos that I want to see bigger than on my phone (temporarily; I’ll delete them after viewing), and watching videos, mainly YouTube. I don’t even intend to create an Apple ID for this iPad or log in with my normal account.
 
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If you wish to keep using this, keep it on iPadOS 16.x unless apps no longer work on iPadOS 16.x which will lead you to 2 choices, either you upgrade to iPadOS 18.x or buy a newer iPad model.
 
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I have a 64GB iPad mini 5 that's currently on 18.6.2, and it works fine. It's roughly the same vintage as your iPad. I didn't notice any slowdowns after upgrading from iPadOS 16 about a month ago.

I use it mainly for reading (Libby app), but Safari, Maps, Camera, and a few others also get used. Pics and videos get off-loaded, so the storage consumption is currently at 21 of 64 GB used.

I don't use it for streaming, gaming, or any other intensive activity.

I'll update it to 18.7.1 fairly soon.
 
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chown33 said:
I have a 64GB iPad mini 5 that's currently on 18.6.2, and it works fine. It's roughly the same vintage as your iPad. I didn't notice any slowdowns after upgrading from iPadOS 16 about a month ago.
Click to expand...
Yours has the same 3 GB RAM but an A12 chip versus my A10. The A12 is a lot faster, as far as I understand.

Still, thanks for your report that gives me some idea what to expect if I opt for iPadOS 18.
 
If you want to dig into the security aspects, it looks like Apple has a fairly good list of iPadOS update histories.

For example, here's the 16.7.8 update's security content.

About the security content of iOS 16.7.8 and iPadOS 16.7.8 - Apple Support

This document describes the security content of iOS 16.7.8 and iPadOS 16.7.8.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

I got there by starting on this page:

Apple security releases - Apple Support

This document lists security updates and Rapid Security Responses for Apple software.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
and doing a search for "iPadOS" on the page. When it got down into the 16.* range I started looking a little more carefully.

The bottom of that comprehensive page has links to earlier security update histories.

I found the comprehensive page using the search terms:
ipados security update history


If you find a security fix that affects an app you don't intend to use on this limited-use iPad, you could move the app into a "Do Not Use" folder, restrict its use, or maybe even delete it.

Or if a security fix is for something you don't plan to use, such as iCloud, then it only matters if you decide later to use iCloud.

If an app you plan to use is affected by a security fix, maybe limiting the app's use will avoid the problem area. For example, if there's a problem that might affect banking websites, then don't do any banking on the iPad.
 
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Moreplease said:
That sucks. I wonder why Apple does that? Wouldn’t it make sense to let me at least run a more secure iPadOS 16 if I’m gonna stick with that?


Understood. What would you advise I do? Upgrade to iPadOS 18 anyway?

Planning to use this for occasional web browsing, viewing Maps to plan trips, AirDropping photos that I want to see bigger than on my phone (temporarily; I’ll delete them after viewing), and watching videos, mainly YouTube. I don’t even intend to create an Apple ID for this iPad or log in with my normal account.
Click to expand...

Apple LOVES touting how “un-fragmented” their iOS is. One way to force that is not allowing users to install whatever iOS they want. For best security? Not really. But I suppose that can satisfy Apple’s weak ego.

What I would advise to you is NOT upgrading unless you have a very compelling reason to, such as a crucial app no longer working, or you desperately need a new feature only available on iOS 18 or above. Newer version of iOS WILL slow down your old device no matter what, it’s just a matter of how much and how impactful the slowdown is for your usage pattern. For example, iOS 9 on my iPad mini first gen means I could only open up to 2 tabs in safari before page keeps reloading itself even if I just switch to a different tab.
 
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If you’re not gonna install apps that require higher OS versions or open banking websites on it, keep it on 16.

My mom and dad both have the iPad 7 on iOS 18 and I hate using those when I need to do something for my parents. It’s quite slow and Safari freezes quite often.

Anyway, iPadOS 18 is the last available major firmware update for the iPad 7 so you can always update to 18 later should you require.
 
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Thanks for your advice, all.

I’m still a little confused about this. Apple released 16.7.12 just a couple of weeks ago. Who is this for if not people like me on an older version of 16?

I understand of course that I wouldn’t be able to install 16 from scratch. But am I really out of luck with 16.7.12 simply because I missed a few intermediate updates?
 
Moreplease said:
I’m still a little confused about this. Apple released 16.7.12 just a couple of weeks ago. Who is this for if not people like me on an older version of 16?

I understand of course that I wouldn’t be able to install 16 from scratch. But am I really out of luck with 16.7.12 simply because I missed a few intermediate updates?
Click to expand...

That's for devices like the A9-based iPads (iPad Pro 9.7, iPad 5th gen, etc) which are stuck on 16 as their highest version.
 
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If you are going to use it for content consumption, you really do not need compatibility.

That iPad, for performance, battery life, and quality from a usability perspective, will serve you FAR better on iPadOS 16.

That iPad has an A10 Fusion. The processor of the iPhone 7. You certainly do NOT want to install iPadOS 18.

If it were to be eventually required for compatibility reasons, you’re better off buying a newer iPad rather than update that one for temporary relief only to destroy it forever.

Installing the final supported versions of iOS or iPadOS has never been a good idea.

Base iPads typically come with older processors but are supported for about 5 years. The final versions really push them. Installing them is never a good idea. We have in the family a 6th-gen iPad… running iOS 12 perfectly. Six years old, perfect battery life, perfect performance. For what it is used, compatibility remains usable.

I have an 11th-gen iPad (from which I am typing) on iPadOS 18 and it is staying there.

Every iPad is better off on earlier versions of iOS. Base iPads especially so.
 
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This iPad wasn’t really mine but a household device. I should have paid more attention to it when it ran out of space. Really sucks to not be able to have the latest iPadOS 16 version, likely forever now. Another annoying Apple policy among more and more these days. Oh well.
 
Moreplease said:
This iPad wasn’t really mine but a household device. I should have paid more attention to it when it ran out of space. Really sucks to not be able to have the latest iPadOS 16 version, likely forever now. Another annoying Apple policy among more and more these days. Oh well.
Click to expand...
What difference would iPadOS 16.7.12 make vs iPadOS 16.6.1? They are practically the same.
 
@Moreplease

Honestly, I'd be thankful you have a device on an OS version built more with that specific hardware in mind.

Don't update that!
Many of us would love to be able to go back to a version like you have, on a device of that era.

(I also have an iPad 9th gen)
 
turbineseaplane said:
@Moreplease

Honestly, I'd be thankful you have a device on an OS version built more with that specific hardware in mind.

Don't update that!
Many of us would love to be able to go back to a version like you have, on a device of that era.

(I also have an iPad 9th gen)
Click to expand...

I think the 2019 iPad 7th gen actually shipped with iPadOS 13 or 14. I still have a 32GB one running 14. Lack of storage means it can't auto update. :p

I have my 9th gen on the 26 beta (it's the guinea pig) and it's not too bad now. Performance has significantly improved over the first 26 dev beta. Not snappy but usable.
 
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Moreplease said:
Understood. What would you advise I do? Upgrade to iPadOS 18 anyway?
Click to expand...

Yes update to iPadOS 18. It just didn’t get iPadOS 26 and that came out less than a month ago so for this iPad to not get OS 26 and it’s been out since 2019 ( first iPad to be released with iPadOS as a baseOS) to now in 2025 is impressive especially since you will get may years of app support and security updates.

Also to add

PQ3 support in iMessage
Control Centre redesign
Calculator app
Another thing is that it got iPadOS18 when the A10X model didn’t get iPadOS 18 so be lucky to get this update knowing you have more support than an A10X/4GB RAM iPad Pro
 
rui no onna said:
I think the 2019 iPad 7th gen actually shipped with iPadOS 13 or 14. I still have a 32GB one running 14. Lack of storage means it can't auto update. :p

I have my 9th gen on the 26 beta (it's the guinea pig) and it's not too bad now. Performance has significantly improved over the first 26 dev beta. Not snappy but usable.
Click to expand...

iPadOS 13

But hey the iPad 8 in 32GB Requires half the space for iPadOS 26 and this reminds me ( because it’s the only iPhone/iPad that has 32GB of storage ) of the iPad Mini 4 ( only using this model because it was the weakest of the lot for OS13/14/15 but it getting 16GB required half the space ( and more storage since it and the Air 2 are the only OS 15 devices to use eMMC hence storage would be used more quickly than a same capacity with NVM-e
 
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