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Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
Hi there, I was just wondering if there were any down side to updating to the latest update on an older device? I'm running an iPad 4 and it's currently on iOS 7. Years ago I updated my phone and the difference was almost immediate, the battery drain was crazy and it was a fairly new phone as well. Since then I've stayed away from updates. I miss out on some apps but it's not biggie. I also am scarce for space as I refused to delete my books. What can I say I'm a hoarder XD I just wanted to know if it will have a bad effect on the iPad as there's an app I'd really like but it crashes on the current update. My question is probably dumb so I apologize for being a noob, just wanted a proper opinion. Thank you for reading :)
 

gobikerider

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Hi there, I was just wondering if there were any down side to updating to the latest update on an older device? I'm running an iPad 4 and it's currently on iOS 7. Years ago I updated my phone and the difference was almost immediate, the battery drain was crazy and it was a fairly new phone as well. Since then I've stayed away from updates. I miss out on some apps but it's not biggie. I also am scarce for space as I refused to delete my books. What can I say I'm a hoarder XD I just wanted to know if it will have a bad effect on the iPad as there's an app I'd really like but it crashes on the current update. My question is probably dumb so I apologize for being a noob, just wanted a proper opinion. Thank you for reading :)
What app? Also as for updating your iPad 4 to iOS 10 you should connect to iTunes and Restore and update it. The iPad 4 is essentially the first tablet to have a later iOS update and yet not totally cripple the performance, yes it's older so you will be waiting alittle extra for things to load but that's to be expected.
 

Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
What app? Also as for updating your iPad 4 to iOS 10 you should connect to iTunes and Restore and update it. The iPad 4 is essentially the first tablet to have a later iOS update and yet not totally cripple the performance, yes it's older so you will be waiting alittle extra for things to load but that's to be expected.
It's a game. It worked when downloaded but after the patch update, it crashes. Seems the problem is rooted at folks with iOS 7.

Can you elaborate on the restore part? I've never updated my iPad before and I'm on android for my phone. Does that mean like a factory reset?

Ah that's what worries me while it may not totally cripple it, it still would have a bad effect. Honestly, my iPad currently is in an amazing condition. I use it for work as well therefore it's more important for it to be fuctioning well. That for me to play a game on it.
 

gobikerider

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It's a game. It worked when downloaded but after the patch update, it crashes. Seems the problem is rooted at folks with iOS 7.

Can you elaborate on the restore part? I've never updated my iPad before and I'm on android for my phone. Does that mean like a factory reset?

Ah that's what worries me while it may not totally cripple it, it still would have a bad effect. Honestly, my iPad currently is in an amazing condition. I use it for work as well therefore it's more important for it to be fuctioning well. That for me to play a game on it.
Yah Restore is Apple factory reset exactly. You hook it up to a computer open iTunes and hit the big restore button. If your concerned about performance I'd look up videos on iOS 10 iPad 4 but overall I think the benefits out weigh the minor slow down you would see. Here's a review
 

Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
Yah Restore is Apple factory reset exactly. You hook it up to a computer open iTunes and hit the big restore button. If your concerned about performance I'd look up videos on iOS 10 iPad 4 but overall I think the benefits out weigh the minor slow down you would see. Here's a review
Awesome! Will check out the video thank you. Is the restore necessary? that's worse than deleting a few things to free up space for the update, that's restarting everything from scratch. I've got so many documents and work related stuff that needs to be in the iPad.
 

gobikerider

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Awesome! Will check out the video thank you. Is the restore necessary? that's worse than deleting a few things to free up space for the update, that's restarting everything from scratch. I've got so many documents and work related stuff that needs to be in the iPad.
A restore would be the best way to go coming from iOS 7 you don't want to just update through settings as you'd be likely to run into bugs/glitches. What you can do though is turn on iCloud and sync documents through that, or Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive. There's a multitude of cloud storage options available and depending on the apps your using they may already be syncing through iCloud. All this means is if you restore and then re install the apps they can pull down all your documents from iCloud or there respective cloud storage. Just make sure the apps are backed up through iCloud currently or use Google Drive to go back up files the last thing you want is to lose data. Personally I use iBooks to sync books for classes, a Google Drive for papers, spreadsheets, and presentations, and then Notability for note taking. iBooks and notability sync in iCloud so when I open them on a fresh restore they pull down all my stuff since I'm signed into my iCloud/iTunes account. Google Drive is just my gmail so you sign into that and bam that's all there.
 

Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
A restore would be the best way to go coming from iOS 7 you don't want to just update through settings as you'd be likely to run into bugs/glitches. What you can do though is turn on iCloud and sync documents through that, or Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive. There's a multitude of cloud storage options available and depending on the apps your using they may already be syncing through iCloud. All this means is if you restore and then re install the apps they can pull down all your documents from iCloud or there respective cloud storage. Just make sure the apps are backed up through iCloud currently or use Google Drive to go back up files the last thing you want is to lose data. Personally I use iBooks to sync books for classes, a Google Drive for papers, spreadsheets, and presentations, and then Notability for note taking. iBooks and notability sync in iCloud so when I open them on a fresh restore they pull down all my stuff since I'm signed into my iCloud/iTunes account. Google Drive is just my gmail so you sign into that and bam that's all there.
Seems straightforward enough but still a hassle over a game. Turns out there's a lot of people that actually keep their old version, thought it was just me heh. I'll check out the video and consider. Thank you.
 
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Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
Oh, one last question if I may. Is it possible to update to iOS 8 instead? Seems like the issue is solved with iOS 8 so I don't have to leap to 10 and some apps I wanted to get previously requires iOS 8 as well.
 

sorcery

macrumors regular
Mar 27, 2016
179
364
Ring of Fire
IOS 8 has gone forever, as have all past operating systems. Once you update there is no going back, if your device becomes laggy. Unless I could witness an iPad 4 running IOS 10, I would keep IOS 7 and look for alternative storage for the books. iCloud, Dropbox or old desktop with calibre installed. Depends how important the apps are to you.
 
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Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
IOS 8 has gone forever, as have all past operating systems. Once you update there is no going back, if your device becomes laggy. Unless I could witness an iPad 4 running IOS 10, I would keep IOS 7 and look for alternative storage for the books. iCloud, Dropbox or old desktop with calibre installed. Depends how important the apps are to you.
I'm sorry I'm a little confused by all this as I've never updated my iPad since I purchased it. Speaking to another guy, he said he updated his iOS from 7 to 8 and the app worked. Of course this baffled me, I figured if I update my iPad now, the only available one will be iOS 10 or at least that's what my iPad would update to when I agree to update. So how was it he is able to stop at 8? He updated few days ago himself. What he had to say was, to his knowledge there was no way to leap over each update and that he currently has iOS 9 update pending, which is where he stopped. What I'm assuming here is that when I update my iPad, it will update to iOS 8 then it will ask again to update to iOS 9 and so on until 10. Is that right?
 

gobikerider

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I'm sorry I'm a little confused by all this as I've never updated my iPad since I purchased it. Speaking to another guy, he said he updated his iOS from 7 to 8 and the app worked. Of course this baffled me, I figured if I update my iPad now, the only available one will be iOS 10 or at least that's what my iPad would update to when I agree to update. So how was it he is able to stop at 8? He updated few days ago himself. What he had to say was, to his knowledge there was no way to leap over each update and that he currently has iOS 9 update pending, which is where he stopped. What I'm assuming here is that when I update my iPad, it will update to iOS 8 then it will ask again to update to iOS 9 and so on until 10. Is that right?
In your settings if you "check for updates" it'll be iOS 10. Your friend did something weird becaise your not supposed to be able to update except to the latest availbile.
 

Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
In your settings if you "check for updates" it'll be iOS 10. Your friend did something weird becaise your not supposed to be able to update except to the latest availbile.
Yes! It does show iOS 10 which is why I wondered how he did it. He might have used iTunes as mine shows 8.3 as the next one but I am unable to download, it says I can't connect to server for some reason. I've asked the dude how he did it, will update when he gets back to me.
 

gobikerider

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Yes! It does show iOS 10 which is why I wondered how he did it. He might have used iTunes as mine shows 8.3 as the next one but I am unable to download, it says I can't connect to server for some reason. I've asked the dude how he did it, will update when he gets back to me.
Huh if you do a restore what does it start to download ? In iTunes
 

Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
Huh if you do a restore what does it start to download ? In iTunes
I didn't restore. I backed up my stuff on my PC and I clicked update which shows 8.3 as the next update. I says can't connect to update server and it ends there.
 

gobikerider

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I didn't restore. I backed up my stuff on my PC and I clicked update which shows 8.3 as the next update. I says can't connect to update server and it ends there.
Yah on iOS 7 that won't work you'll need to do a restore. if you need to after you use that backup to get stuff back but I wouldn't bother since usually you don't want to restore a backup as that can cause more issues than it's worth especially since your jumping from iOS 7 to iOS 10. I wouldn't that old of data anywhere near a fresh iOS 10 install. You'd be asking for issues.
 
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Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
stay on 7, install the OTA-fix (search for it), done!
OTA update will allow me to pick the iOS version?
Yah on iOS 7 that won't work you'll need to do a restore. if you need to after you use that backup to get stuff back but I wouldn't bother since usually you don't want to restore a backup as that can cause more issues than it's worth especially since your jumping from iOS 7 to iOS 10. I wouldn't that old of data anywhere near a fresh iOS 10 install. You'd be asking for issues.
Why are there options for "download and update" and "download only" if it doesn't work? I understand what you mean about restoring old data, I don't have the experience but I can see the issues it might cause. The iTunes way to update to 8.3 was perfect solution, it's the next update after iOS 7 so there isn't much "baggage", the guy who is having the same problem as me, update from 7 to 8.3 as well and it's has worked out for him. But I don't know why is says it can't connect to update server and to check if my connection is good. My connection is fine. It is possible to update without factory reset right?
 

Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
You cannot pick the iOS version. You can just update to the latest one (which means iOS 10)
But how did the guy I spoke to update his from 7 to 8 few days ago? Oh! Could it be he jail broke his device? Idk much about that either.
Link to an old article. The iPad 4 will accept IOS10 but may become sluggish. Highly unlikely 8.3 still available, thus the cannot connect message.
http://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/i...be-able-run-ios-10-upgrade-slow-down-3521184/
[doublepost=1489706841][/doublepost]Personally I would not update...
I agree. It's 8.3 or nothing. Definitely not interested in 10. Thanks for the article.
 

FeliApple

macrumors 68040
Apr 8, 2015
3,684
2,088
But how did the guy I spoke to update his from 7 to 8 few days ago? Oh! Could it be he jail broke his device? Idk much about that either

As far as I know there is no possible way of doing it.
 
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gobikerider

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But how did the guy I spoke to update his from 7 to 8 few days ago? Oh! Could it be he jail broke his device? Idk much about that either.

I agree. It's 8.3 or nothing. Definitely not interested in 10. Thanks for the article.
Your friend may have had a download of iOS 8.3 downloaded from years ago when it was new so it may have been pre signed by apples servers then and hence why he may have been allowed to update. As for iOS 10 being slow, I don't think it's really a huge issue here's a article explaining performance. https://arstechnica.com/apple/2016/09/good-news-ios-10-runs-pretty-well-on-the-iphone-5-and-5c/. If you've been keeping tabs on iOS 10.3 this will also further increase overall stability/performance. Also it will introduce a new file system so waiting till next week for that to release and then doing your full restore/set up as new would be a ideal path to take. I can tell you first hand iOS 10 on iPad 4 isn't bad at all, yah it's alittle slower loading things but it's a negligible difference and the app support/new features greatly out weight the performance hiccups here or there. iOS 8 by contrast was rather radical with new features/api so even on newer devices it was rather buggy and performance could vary greatly were as iOS 10 is pretty light on new features while further polishing overall stability of iOS. I'd say iOS 10 is iOS 9 performance wise if not slightly smoother as iOS 9 had its own few hiccups performance wise. On my Air 2 iOS 10 runs noticeably smoother than iOS 9 seemed too. I'm really excited for iOS 10.3 for even more stability/optimizations.
 
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Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
Your friend may have had a download of iOS 8.3 downloaded from years ago when it was new so it may have been pre signed by apples servers then and hence why he may have been allowed to update. As for iOS 10 being slow, I don't think it's really a huge issue here's a article explaining performance. https://arstechnica.com/apple/2016/09/good-news-ios-10-runs-pretty-well-on-the-iphone-5-and-5c/. If you've been keeping tabs on iOS 10.3 this will also further increase overall stability/performance. Also it will introduce a new file system so waiting till next week for that to release and then doing your full restore/set up as new would be a ideal path to take. I can tell you first hand iOS 10 on iPad 4 isn't bad at all, yah it's alittle slower loading things but it's a negligible difference and the app support/new features greatly out weight the performance hiccups here or there. iOS 8 by contrast was rather radical with new features/api so even on newer devices it was rather buggy and performance could vary greatly were as iOS 10 is pretty light on new features while further polishing overall stability of iOS. I'd say iOS 10 is iOS 9 performance wise if not slightly smoother as iOS 9 had its own few hiccups performance wise. On my Air 2 iOS 10 runs noticeably smoother than iOS 9 seemed too. I'm really excited for iOS 10.3 for even more stability/optimizations.
Ah that would certainly explain it! I cannot update to iOS 10 via iTunes though, it only shows the 8.3. Is there any way around it? Might as well soak up all the info even if I might not go through with it.
 

gobikerider

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Ah that would certainly explain it! I cannot update to iOS 10 via iTunes though, it only shows the 8.3. Is there any way around it? Might as well soak up all the info even if I might not go through with it.
The only way for you would be to click the restore button in iTunes. Also if your saying that also doesn't work you may need to update your iTunes. If that still doesn't work looks like you need to reinstall iTunes entirely.
 
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Aesthete18

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2013
28
3
The only way for you would be to click the restore button in iTunes. Also if your saying that also doesn't work you may need to update your iTunes. If that still doesn't work looks like you need to reinstall iTunes entirely.
Gosh so much hassle :/ thank you for the information though, it's been very useful.
 
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