# How do I update the system on an old iPad? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 28, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-update-the-system-on-an-old-ipad/828518 "2019-01-28T01:50:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-update-the-system-on-an-old-ipad/828518/1 "2019-01-28T01:50:24Z")
We have a very old iPad (+6 years) and it’s acting a bit buggy. How do I check the status of the OS, and upgrade it if need be? ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-update-the-system-on-an-old-ipad/828518/2 "2019-01-28T02:01:49Z")
Settings -\> General -\> Update. You may have to do it through iTunes if the iPad is particularly old and doesn’t over-the-air updates. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-update-the-system-on-an-old-ipad/828518/3 "2019-01-28T04:26:44Z")
OS is probably glitched. [This](https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/253576/restoring-of-ipad-using-recovery-mode-fail-due-to-15-minutes-timeout) may contain some useful links for you. ---
**Author:** ![GMANCANADA](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gmancanada/32/2837_2.png) [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-update-the-system-on-an-old-ipad/828518/4 "2019-01-28T11:22:56Z")
You can check what model you have with this link to Apple: > **[Identify your iPad model](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201471)** > > Find out which iPad model you have. Each model has a serial number etched on the back of the unit. Its sorted roughly by model & year. Find roughly the year you got it and then check the model’s serial numbers for that year. Once you have that, I’d just google How I update iPad model XXX? Some older models can’t accept the latest OS, so you may just have to install whatever the most recent compatible OS. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-update-the-system-on-an-old-ipad/828518/5 "2019-01-28T11:40:33Z")
If you have a 32-bit iPad, Apple stopped updating them a while back. > **[Apple gets ready to end support for 32-bit iOS apps](https://www.cultofmac.com/464817/apple-prepares-drop-support-32-bit-ios-apps/)** > > Apple is preparing to end support for 32-bit iOS apps, according to an error message discovered in the new iOS 10.3 beta. The company warns that certain > **[Apple seemingly ends support for 32-bit devices with iOS 10.3.2 | AppleInsider](https://appleinsider.com/articles/17/03/28/apple-seemingly-ends-support-for-32-bit-devices-with-ios-1032)** > > With the release of iOS 10.3.2 beta, Apple is not offering iTunes restore images for 32-bit devices like the iPhone 5 and fourth-generation iPad, suggesting the forthcoming point update will mark a watershed for iOS. > [@](#): > > With the release of iOS 10.3.2 beta, Apple is not offering iTunes restore images for 32-bit devices like the iPhone 5 and fourth-generation iPad, suggesting the forthcoming point update will mark a watershed for iOS. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-update-the-system-on-an-old-ipad/828518/6 "2019-01-28T18:28:38Z")
Yeah, I’m starting to get similar issues with my iPad mini. I forget how old it is exactly, but it is probably at least 6 years. I now find I can’t install some newer apps because they are not compatible with the iOS installed, and when I check for iOS updates it says there aren’t any. So I guess I will just use it until it becomes too buggy to do so, then trash it.