Cannot install iPadOS 26 on iPad 8th Gen 32 GB. Any advice?

[saldin]

Never mind any space used by apps or media: iPadOS uses 11.03 GB and "system data" consumes 6.72 GB. Software Update menu complains that it needs 14.57 GB free. So, 11.03 + 6.72 + 14.57 = 32.32 > 32

I've tried to update via the Mac still on Sequoia 15.7, but Finder insists that "this version (18.7) is the most recent version"

Has anyone found themselves in the same quagmire? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rui no onna]

Try waiting a bit. It's day one so maybe not everything is in order.

 

[saldin]

I'm sorry, I don't understand. Will waiting make more free space or reduce the size of the installer package?

 

[rui no onna]

I'm sorry, I don't understand. Will waiting make more free space or reduce the size of the installer package?

I meant waiting before trying to install via Mac again. Maybe there's just settings/updates needed before it can install iPadOS 26.

 

[saldin]

I'm sorry I misunderstood your reply

That makes perfect sense. Thank you very much! I'll wait a few days until I can update with the Mac

 

[JohnLuke]

I'm also wondering if my iPad Air 4 64gb with a remaining space of only 3gb will be able to restart after updating with the Mac? Will the new functions grow the operating system leaving me without space?

 

[Atomic1977]

Hmm maybe the 8th gen iPad is not 26 compatible.

 

[It’s always something]

Hmm maybe the 8th gen iPad is not 26 compatible.

Officially it’s compatible; only the 7th generation iPad was dropped this year

 

[rui no onna]

I'm sorry I misunderstood your reply

That makes perfect sense. Thank you very much! I'll wait a few days until I can update with the Mac

Curious, have you tried installing iPadOS 26 again?

I saw a post on the iOS 26 sub that the option isn't too obvious on Finder. There's like a small button on the lower portion if you want to install 26.

 

[jimimac71]

I have the iPad 7 with 32 GB.
Had to remove almost everything to install updates to iPad OS 18.
Basically, the OS uses pretty much 1/2 of the 32 GB.
The other 1/2 was required to install the 18x updates.
Like me, time to consider a new iPad.
Love the big Home button and headphone jack.
They are gone now, except the iPad 9, which Apple has been selling refurbished. I thought about it but not for very long.

 

[Lab1]

My husband had a 32 gb 8th gen iPad. He was barely able to do the last iOS 18 update. Due to space issues, iOS 26 was a no go. He really doesn’t have much on the iPad, and we offloaded apps to get 18 up to date. So, while the 8th gen is compatible, it’s not feasible on the 32 gb model. I have the 128 gb model and updated to iOS 26 no problem. I’m writing this post on it.

Anyway, my husband ended up buying a new iPad. He was dealing with a lot of slows downs and stutters anyway, and was happy to replace it at this point.

 

[saldin]

Curious, have you tried installing iPadOS 26 again?

I saw a post on the iOS 26 sub that the option isn't too obvious on Finder. There's like a small button on the lower portion if you want to install 26.

Tried today and I'm still getting the message that 18.7 is the latest version... I'm not aware of any special button for updating to iPadOS 26 that's not the one labeled "Check for Update". Can you share the post so I can check it out, please?

 

[rui no onna]

Tried today and I'm still getting the message that 18.7 is the latest version... I'm not aware of any special button for updating to iPadOS 26 that's not the one labeled "Check for Update". Can you share the post so I can check it out, please?

Can’t find the post now, sorry. Hopefully you won’t need to wait until Apple stops signing iOS 18 before you can update via Mac to 26.

 

[winxmac]

Proceed with caution.

If you really want to upgrade from iPadOS 18.7 to iPadOS 26.0, you will need to backup all the contents of your iPad then download the IPSW using your computer. Since you have a 32GB model, you may need to Erase All Content and Settings before attempting to upgrade. About 20GB of free space may be required before proceeding with the upgrade whether through Finder or OTA.

Your other option aside from performing an iPadOS upgrade is to purchase a newer model or another iPad with a larger storage capacity then upgrade to iPadOS 26.0 if it is still on an older version, that is only if you really want to be running iPadOS 26.0

 

[saldin]

Proceed with caution.

If you really want to upgrade from iPadOS 18.7 to iPadOS 26.0, you will need to backup all the contents of your iPad then download the IPSW using your computer. Since you have a 32GB model, you may need to Erase All Content and Settings before attempting to upgrade. About 20GB of free space may be required before proceeding with the upgrade whether through Finder or OTA.

Your other option aside from performing an iPadOS upgrade is to purchase a newer model or another iPad with a larger storage capacity then upgrade to iPadOS 26.0 if it is still on an older version, that is only if you really want to be running iPadOS 26.0

I'm not looking to do a full erase or purchase a new iPad just to get OS 26. Thank you for your reply though.

 

[Daryl125]

Came up against this last night. iPad 7th Gen 32GB and I was looking to update to iOS26. Same as the OP, it was a ‘no go’ due to limited space. It was the perfect opportunity to buy a new device. I was able to get an educator discount and a $70 trade-in on my old iPad. Done deal. $259. Big upgrade going from 32GB to 128GB and I’m future-proof for another 5-6 years.

 

[saldin]

Tried today and I'm still getting the message that 18.7 is the latest version... I'm not aware of any special button for updating to iPadOS 26 that's not the one labeled "Check for Update". Can you share the post so I can check it out, please?

Updated one of my Macs to Tahoe and tried to update my iPad thru a Mac once again, thinking it would be more cooperative. I'm shocked to say even Tahoe insists the latest OS version for my device is 18.7...

 

[rui no onna]

Came up against this last night. iPad 7th Gen 32GB and I was looking to update to iOS26. Same as the OP, it was a ‘no go’ due to limited space. It was the perfect opportunity to buy a new device. I was able to get an educator discount and a $70 trade-in on my old iPad. Done deal. $259. Big upgrade going from 32GB to 128GB and I’m future-proof for another 5-6 years.

Did you mean the iPad 8th gen?

The iPad 7th gen isn't getting 26. That's actually good because the hardware's already too slow for 18.

Enjoy your new iPad. That really is a great value.

 

[mlayer]

I was able to do this in the early dev beta period by choosing not to migrate anything over from my iCloud account. I used the "Erase all content" reset function to start. After I successfully got to 26 I was stuck for a few weeks with no ability update the OS because there wasn't enough free space. Last night I sucked it up and DFU'd the iPad to start from scratch to the released version. The storage requirements are so high that DFU may be the only way to get it on the 32 GB model. If you do this be prepared to repeat the process the next time an update occurs. The good news is that 26 release runs smoother than the betas.