All iPads Using an obsolete iPad questions

[WriteNow]

Someone has offered to give me an iPad that'sying around. The bad news is that it is older. From what I see in my research, the highest supported OS was updated a few months ago, but that update could very likely the last ever.

So this raises two questions:

1. Am I right in thinking when OS support ends that that slso means the end of supported web browsers? I asume Apple only updates Safari for supported operating systems, and the last I heard, third party browsers had to use Apple WebKit.
2. I'm wondering if anyone finds obsolete iPads useful.

 

[rui no onna]

Someone has offered to give me an iPad that'sying around. The bad news is that it is older. From what I see in my research, the highest supported OS was updated a few months ago, but that update could very likely the last ever.

So this raises two questions:

1. Am I right in thinking when OS support ends that that slso means the end of supported web browsers? I asume Apple only updates Safari for supported operating systems, and the last I heard, third party browsers had to use Apple WebKit.
2. I'm wondering if anyone finds obsolete iPads useful.

My mom uses my 2017 iPad Pro 12.9 512GB for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc. So far, it's still been getting security updates and browsing seems fine still.

I have a 256GB iPad Pro 9.7 and and 512GB Pro 10.5 running 14.8.1 that I use for old ereader apps that have been completely deleted from the App Store (doesn't even show up in purchase history). They work completely fine for ebooks, manga, etc.

 

[It’s always something]

Someone has offered to give me an iPad that'sying around. The bad news is that it is older. From what I see in my research, the highest supported OS was updated a few months ago, but that update could very likely the last ever.

So this raises two questions:

1. Am I right in thinking when OS support ends that that slso means the end of supported web browsers? I asume Apple only updates Safari for supported operating systems, and the last I heard, third party browsers had to use Apple WebKit.
2. I'm wondering if anyone finds obsolete iPads useful.

If you go to Settings > General > About you can get the iPad Model Name and iPadOS Version. With that information we can answer your questions better.

In General > iPad Storage you can find the size of disk space in it, which might also help.

 

[ger19]

I have an iPad Pro 10.5 inch from 2017 and an older iPad Air. I’m not sure of all the technical issues, but both surf the web just fine. For free if all you want to do with it is surf, I’d take it in a minute. Where we’ve run into some issues is with downloading apps on the older unit. Some of them no longer support the older iOS. My iPad Pro is now stuck at iOS 17 and I’ve not had any issues yet.

 

[Boyd01]

Still using my 2018 (6th generation, I think) iPad every day. But virtually all I do is stream video from Sling and my own media server. Originally used it as a control surface for Logic and also for an 8 track field recorder but don't do that much anymore.

So it's just a "portable tv" that I move around the house as I work in different rooms, etc. Battery life is very limited, doubt that it would even go for 2 hours at full brightness. I just plug it in, but most of my chargers struggle to keep up at all. I have a little powerbank I wasn't using though, and it delivers enough current to run and actually charge it. Not ideal, but I just use that around the house. A new iPad would be nice, but this works and I've got other things to spend my money on. 🙂

 

[Luftkopf]

I am still using my 2014 iPad Air 2. It runs iPadOS 15, and is feeling more restrictive all the time. The battery is pretty shot, and it only has 64GB storage.

Having said all that, I’m a draftsman, and when I get updated engineering, or RFIs from a certifier, or something, and need to update working drawings, loading their PDF up on my iPad to work from, and mark off changes as I do them, is still a much better workflow than opening the PDF on another screen. There’s something about being able to pick it up and hold it that makes it far more efficient to work from, despite my iPad being practically antique.

 

[ifxf]

My mom uses my old ipad. Support has long ended and it doesn’t even run the latest ipad os it can run. My mom still uses it for all the basic stuff and her bank is still ok with the version of Safari she has. You just have to check the websites. I have found that it is financial and streaming websites that are the most concerned about browser versions.

 

[Andy_2341]

I am currently using a 1st gen iPad Air that was lying around at a family member's house. It's had 3 battery replacements, runs iOS 12.5.7, and has some display issues. Still runs fine though. Most games crash, many websites fail, and of course the old OS is quite limiting. Hence I bought a new iPad. But it's still solid for browsing on here, some iWork stuff, photo browsing, and the handful of games that do run.

Basically, yes, old iPads can be useful. Especially if you only need to do light things and just want a big screen. What model is yours?

 

[Solarflares]

My 2015 12.9 Pro runs 16.7.02, and handles anything I throw at it.
The battery is pretty much gone, but I spend hours every day on it.
My iPhone 7 Plus is also going strong.
I’ve been on Duck Duck Go for ages now. All banks have their own secure websites. EBay and PayPal seem secure enough.
Just don’t open or respond to any unrecognised E-mails. Be strict on that.
Do cold starts often,

 

[erihp]

USB-C models can interface with low cost external HDMI capture devices so it can act as a standalone display.

 

[Solarflares]

USB-C models can interface with low cost external HDMI capture devices so it can act as a standalone display.

For music production my older iPad is a full SKI-remote for Cubase 14, and my iPhone 7 Plus has the Cubase transport buttons.
But I do mostly everything on those two devices - TV viewing, eBay, browsing, banking etc. They mostly sit by my chair in the conservatory - where I live all day! I often tweak/mix playback levels sitting in a different room to my monitors. The iPad is great for that. Shame that it only lasts minutes on battery now, and I don’t trust Apple to do a careful job on a replacement. Big chance they could mess it up, but offer me a generous £50 trade in for a new one! Yeah right. I’ll suffer the portability restrictions as it is. I get 30 minutes web-browsing easily in bed, and run a “Rain on Tent” program all night to help me sleep. Online with the screen off, it’ll have plenty of charge in the morning, and gets plugged in first thing. But it won’t do an hour of video or gaming on battery for sure.
I’d hate to have to buy a new iPad Pro. I’d feel ripped off, as it was £1000 new. But it hasn’t stumbled yet. People still remark how lovely the 12.9 screen looks, even though the plastic-protector is 10 years-old!

I do wonder about security on the 2015 iPad, as I do online banking, but all passwords are now biometric and thumbprint, so far so good.
I’m just careful not to open unsolicited or unrecognised E-mails, and only visit secure links.

 

[JamesMay82]

I’ve got a 9.7 iPad Pro from 2016… os is a few years out of date I think it’s 15…

I can’t have many modern apps like banking and web surfing is pointless as it kills the battery but it’s oddly fine for you tube and Netflix… I would of thought video would of killed it more

 

[rui no onna]

I’ve got a 9.7 iPad Pro from 2016… os is a few years out of date I think it’s 15…

I can’t have many modern apps like banking and web surfing is pointless as it kills the battery but it’s oddly fine for you tube and Netflix… I would of thought video would of killed it more

Last update for that was 16.

I don't know what battery life is like for web browsing on the iPad Pro 9.7 on iOS 16. I barely use it for 5 minutes before the slowness kills my patience.

I have a Pro 9.7 kept on 14. Lots of websites don't render properly anymore but it does feel faster. I use it mainly for Marvin (ebook reader) and it works great for that.

 

[Shanghaichica]

It depends on how old the ipad is/what version of iPad OS it runs.

The main issues you will have are app support depending on how old the OS is.

Security, however Apple has been quite good at giving security updates to older devices. I have an old iPhone SE first gen which only runs iOS 15 but it still gets security updates from time to time.

Performance may also be an issue depending again on age of iPad and the version of iOS it runs. However this will come down to personal tolerance.

However, if it can run the apps you want and do the things you want it to do and you can tolerate the performance then you should be good to go.

 

[Homme]

At least iPads with iPadOS 15 are still useful thanks to two key things

WhatsApp for iPad released several months ago for iPadOS 15 and later

And the native Instagram app also released some months ago for iPadOS 15 and later

That and iPadOS 15 is still getting security updates makes the iPad Mini 4 and the GOAT the Air 2 useful for some years to come

I wouldn’t really use a iPad stuck on iOS 12 ( despite the recent update it got which was to do with FaceTime/iMessage/Activation Features) but that wasn’t a security update and that was the first update in around 3 years

and forget the rest of the 32bit lineup they are fully obsolete

 

[FeliApple]

I wouldn’t really use a iPad stuck on iOS 12 ( despite the recent update it got which was to do with FaceTime/iMessage/Activation Features) but that wasn’t a security update and that was the first update in around 3 years

I concur. I have a 9.7-inch iPad Pro on iOS 12 and it’s too incompatible.

 

[Richard8655]

Three iPad 5's (2017) here with iPadOS 16. They still run great with excellent battery life and bright, sharp and clear displays. Only real issue is memory is so limited that everything runs fairly slow. Otherwise would have continued with them for daily use, but still keeping them for possible future use.

I would advise OP to fire up your older iPad and see how useful it is for you. In this age of discarded electronic waste, there might be some useful life left.

 

[edubfromktown]

I concur. I have a 9.7-inch iPad Pro on iOS 12 and it’s too incompatible.

So far it still works well for me.

Primarily use 9.7" IPP in a "no power required" keyboard case as an out of band management device (along with Get Console app and a custom serial cable to RJ-45 cable) to jack into to all sorts of enterprise IT infrastructure equipment.

Also for once or twice a month flipping through FB to keep up with friends and family.

 

[FeliApple]

So far it still works well for me.

Primarily use 9.7" IPP in a "no power required" keyboard case as an out of band management device (along with Get Console app and a custom serial cable to RJ-45 cable) to jack into to all sorts of enterprise IT infrastructure equipment.

Also for once or twice a month flipping through FB to keep up with friends and family.

Yeah, mine runs iOS 12 and I only use it for content consumption. It’s not too compatible. I have newer iPads so updating it makes no sense, but I barely use it as it is anyway. If it were compatible, I probably wouldn’t use it much either.

It’s my favourite iPad ever, the best version of Apple’s original design idea for the iPad. Full-screen iPads have won me over, though.

 

[uacd]

My iPad Air 2 still works and opens websites, especially MR. Content blockers work too, YouTube in Safari works. It is a bit slow because it got 2GB RAM but even Instagram works. It doesn’t hold battery for long but can still be used. I believe newer iPads are much better, especially versions with more RAM

 

[FeliApple]

My iPad Air 2 still works and opens websites, especially MR. Content blockers work too, YouTube in Safari works. It is a bit slow because it got 2GB RAM but even Instagram works. It doesn’t hold battery for long but can still be used. I believe newer iPads are much better, especially versions with more RAM

I have an iPad Air 5 on iPadOS 15 and it’s still compatible.

As far as I know, the issue with that “middle tier” in terms of age of iPads is battery life when updated.

The devices are good, but battery life has suffered too much if fully updated, they did not age well in that regard. Newer iPads that were significantly updated have fared far better.

By the middle tier I mean A7 through A12 (or A11) iPads. The iPad Air 1 to the Air 3, 1st and 2nd-gen Pros primarily, 5th through 8th-gen regular iPads, etc. The early 64-bit iPads’ battery life has been absolutely massacred by iOS updates. It’s sad, because their usability has dropped far more than the iterations that followed. The same thing has happened with iPhones. iPhones like the 6s work well when updated, but battery life is garbage. I know that because I have an iPhone and an iPad from that time that were forced out of their original versions by Apple.

Performance is very usable, no crashes, no problems apart from a slight slowdown and occasional keyboard lag. If fully updated, battery life barely breaks the 3, 4-hour mark. A massive drop compared to the easy 12+ hours they get on original versions.

If only battery life were slightly better, their late-life usability would skyrocket. My 9.7-inch iPad Pro is on iOS 12 instead of 16 and the difference is massive, I got 14 hours on iOS 9 and I’m getting 10-11 on iOS 12. 9.7-inch iPad Pros on iPadOS 16 as used and as old as mine would be lucky to scrape 5 hours if updated. Massive difference.