How to Update Your iPad to the Latest iPadOS (and Fix Updates That Fail)

To update your iPad, open Settings > General > Software Update and tap Update Now or Download and Install. Keep the iPad on Wi-Fi and plugged in, or above 50 percent battery. Updates are free. The latest version is iPadOS 27, released September 14, 2026, for the iPad (9th generation) and later, iPad mini (6th generation) and later, iPad Air (4th generation) and later, and iPad Pro models from the 11-inch (2nd generation) and 12.9-inch (4th generation) onward. If the update does not appear, the iPad may be too old, or you may need to free up storage. On a Mac or Windows PC, you can also update through Finder or the Apple Devices app. Back up first with iCloud or a computer.

Ethan's mother uses an iPad for video calls with her grandchildren, recipes and the news, and she had ignored the red badge on Settings for months. When her banking app stopped opening because it needed a newer iPadOS, she called Ethan. Jake took a look on Sunday: the iPad had 2 GB free, too little for the update, and her iCloud backup had not run since spring because iCloud storage was full. Jake cleared old video downloads, ran a backup to Ethan's laptop through the Apple Devices app, and installed the update over the shop's Wi-Fi. Forty minutes later, the banking app opened and the badge was gone. This page covers the whole process, including what to do when an iPad will not update.

Menu names below match recent versions of iPadOS. On older versions, the steps are almost identical.

Check which version your iPad runs

Open Settings > General > About and look at iPadOS Version. The same page shows the Model Name, such as iPad (9th generation), which tells you which updates your iPad can install. If the model name is not shown on older versions, the Model Number there identifies it. Knowing both before you start saves guessing later.

Apple moved to year-based version names in 2025, so iPadOS 18 was followed by iPadOS 26, and then iPadOS 27 in September 2026. The jump in numbers does not mean you skipped versions; the naming simply changed to match the year after release.

If the iPad belongs to a child or relative, write the model and version down; it makes phone support much easier when they call with a question months later.

Why updates matter

Each iPadOS update fixes security weaknesses, some of them actively exploited by attackers through websites, messages or apps. An iPad months behind on updates is exposed to problems that were fixed long ago for everyone else. Updates also fix bugs, improve battery life and performance on supported models, and keep apps working, since developers build for recent versions. For a device used for banking, email and family photos, updates are the single most important security habit.

New features are a bonus. Security is the reason to update even if you like your iPad exactly as it is.

Updates also refresh the built-in apps, such as Safari, Mail and Messages, which handle the most risky content, so their security improvements arrive only through iPadOS updates.

Security fixes are usually described in Apple's security release notes for each update, which list the problems fixed; many describe flaws that could let a malicious website or message run code on the device.

What iPadOS 26 changed

The 2025 release, iPadOS 26, was one of the biggest changes in the iPad's history. It introduced a new visual design that Apple calls Liquid Glass, a new windowing system that lets apps open in resizable windows that can be arranged freely, and a menu bar at the top of the screen, bringing the iPad closer to a laptop. It also brought improvements to Files and new apps such as Preview. If you are coming from an older version, expect the interface to look and work differently, and give yourself a little time to explore. iPadOS 27 builds on that foundation.

Features that were familiar before iPadOS 26, such as Stage Manager and Split View, changed or were folded into the new windowing system, so tutorials written for older versions may not match what you see; Settings and the built-in Tips app explain the current behavior.

Which iPads can install iPadOS 27

iPadOS 27 dropped several older models that ran iPadOS 26, including the iPad (8th generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) and the first 11-inch and third 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. Some new features in each release also need newer chips, so two iPads on the same version can show different features. Apple's support site keeps the official list for every version.

Why some iPads stop getting updates

Apple drops support based mainly on the processor. Each year's release needs certain performance and hardware features, and the oldest chips are left behind. iPadOS 27, for example, left behind iPads using the A12 family of chips while keeping those with A13 and newer. Apple does not publish a fixed support period, but iPads have commonly received major updates for around six to eight years after release, with some lines lasting longer. Buying a model with a newer chip is the best predictor of a longer update life.

When planning a purchase for a child or relative, choosing a current model rather than a discounted older one often pays for itself in extra years of updates.

Apple's support pages list each model's chip, which makes it easy to compare two iPads when choosing which to keep or buy.

Back up before updating

Updates rarely lose data, but a backup is cheap insurance. Choose one:

• iCloud Backup: open Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now while on Wi-Fi. Check the time of the last successful backup on the same screen.
• Mac: connect the iPad, open Finder, select the iPad in the sidebar and choose Back up now.
• Windows PC: install Apple's Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store, connect the iPad, select it and choose Back up now. Older PCs may still use iTunes for the same job.

If iCloud says there is not enough storage, either buy more iCloud storage or back up to a computer instead, which costs nothing. Encrypting a computer backup, an option in Finder and Apple Devices, also saves passwords and health data. Ethan's mother's iCloud was full, which is why the computer backup was the quick fix.

iCloud storage for backups

Every Apple Account includes 5 GB of free iCloud storage, which fills quickly once photos and backups share it. Paid iCloud+ plans add more, from 50 GB up to several terabytes, and the larger plans can be shared with family members through Family Sharing, so one plan covers everyone's backups. To see what uses the space, open Settings > your name > iCloud. Old backups from devices you no longer own are often the easiest space to reclaim; delete them from the same screen.

If you prefer not to pay, regular backups to a computer cost nothing and are just as complete, though they only run when you connect the iPad.

Turning off backup for large apps that store their own data in the cloud, in the backup settings list, can shrink backups so they fit within a smaller plan.

Moving to a new iPad instead

If your iPad is too old for current updates, a new iPad can take over everything from it. Place the new iPad next to the old one during setup and use Quick Start to transfer data directly, or restore from the iCloud or computer backup you made. Apps, settings, photos and accounts move across, and the new iPad then updates itself to the latest version. Keep the old iPad until you have confirmed everything transferred, then erase it before passing it on.

Quick Start needs both iPads on the same Wi-Fi network and Bluetooth on, and it can take an hour or more for a full iPad, so start it when you have time to leave both devices charging.

After the transfer, check that apps signed you in again, since banking and some secure apps deliberately require a fresh sign-in on a new device.

Buying a used iPad: check update support first

Before buying a second-hand iPad, check its exact model against the current compatibility list and consider how long it is likely to keep receiving updates; a model already near the bottom of the list may lose support within a year or two. Check that Activation Lock is off: the seller must sign out of their Apple Account and erase the iPad, otherwise it cannot be set up by anyone else. Ask the seller to show Settings > General > About with the version and model, and avoid any iPad that seems locked or shows someone else's account.

Also check the battery and storage size: a used iPad with 32 GB of storage will struggle with modern updates and apps, so 64 GB or more is a sensible minimum today.

Sign-in after the update

After a major update, the iPad may ask you to sign in to your Apple Account, the new name Apple uses for what was called an Apple ID. Have the password ready, along with the trusted device or phone number that receives verification codes. If you have forgotten the password, reset it from Settings on another Apple device or Apple's account website before updating, so the iPad is not left half set up. Setting up a recovery contact in Apple Account settings is a sensible step for anyone worried about losing access.

Two-factor authentication is standard for Apple Accounts, so keep your trusted phone number current in Settings > your name > Sign-In & Security; an outdated number is the most common reason people get locked out after an update or a new device.

Update an iPad: step by step

1. Connect to Wi-Fi. iPadOS updates are large, often several gigabytes.
2. Plug the iPad into power, or make sure the battery is above 50 percent.
3. Open Settings > General > Software Update.
4. If two options appear, choose the newest version, such as iPadOS 27, or stay on the current version's latest security update if you prefer to wait.
5. Tap Update Now or Download and Install, and enter your passcode.
6. Wait while the update downloads and prepares; the iPad remains usable during the download.
7. Tap Install Now when ready. The iPad restarts, shows the Apple logo and a progress bar, and may restart more than once.
8. Sign in when prompted and complete any setup screens.

Total time is typically 20 minutes to an hour, depending on Wi-Fi speed and the iPad's age. Do not force the iPad off during installation.

Pick a good time to update

Major updates take the iPad out of action for part of the process, and some apps need updating afterwards, so pick a time when you will not need it for an hour: an evening at home, not just before a video call or a flight. Starting the download in the morning and installing at night, when prompted, splits the wait. With automatic updates on, the iPad does this itself overnight while charging, which is the easiest option of all for most people.

If the iPad is used for work calls or school, schedule updates around those commitments; a half-installed update is the worst possible moment to discover you need it.

Wi-Fi and mobile data for big downloads

Major iPadOS downloads are several gigabytes, so a fast, stable Wi-Fi connection makes the process smoother. Stay near the router, avoid busy public networks, and pause other large downloads. iPads with cellular service can often download updates over mobile data as well, depending on the carrier, plan and settings in Settings > Cellular; check your data allowance first, since an update can use a large share of a small plan. Using a phone's personal hotspot works too, with the same caution about data.

If downloads keep failing partway through, try at a different time of day, when networks are less busy, or update through a computer on a wired connection.

If the iPad keeps dropping Wi-Fi during downloads, forget the network and rejoin it, or restart the router; a stable connection is worth more than a fast but flaky one for multi-gigabyte downloads.

Public Wi-Fi in cafes and hotels often throttles large downloads, so home Wi-Fi is the better choice for major updates.

Turn on automatic updates

In Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates, you can let iPadOS download and install updates by itself, usually overnight while the iPad is charging and on Wi-Fi. There are separate switches for iPadOS updates and for Security Responses & System Files, which deliver important security fixes quickly between full updates. Turning on at least the security option is wise for anyone who does not check for updates regularly, such as an older relative or a child.

Automatic installation of major new versions may wait a while after release, while updates within the same version arrive sooner. If you want a major version straight away, install it manually from the same page.

To see whether automatic updates installed something overnight, open Software Update; it shows the current version and, if an update is waiting, when it is scheduled to install.

Update right away or wait a few days?

Some people wait a week or two after a major release, letting early bugs surface and get fixed in the first follow-up update, often numbered with a .0.1 or .1. That is a reasonable approach for an iPad you depend on for work, provided you install security updates promptly. Point updates within a version, such as 27.0.1 or 27.1, usually fix bugs and security issues and are worth installing soon after release. Whatever you choose, do not wait months: the security fixes in each release are the main reason to update.

Reading a few early reviews or support forum threads after a big release tells you quickly whether there are widespread problems worth waiting out.

For managed and school iPads, the organization sets this timing for you.

How often iPadOS updates arrive

Apple releases a major iPadOS version each September, with new features. Through the following year, point releases add smaller features and fixes, roughly every month or two, and urgent security fixes can arrive in between, sometimes as background security responses that need only a quick restart. Over the year, a supported iPad typically receives a dozen or more updates. Automatic updates handle all of this quietly for most people.

You can see the history of what each update fixed by tapping the Learn more link on the Software Update screen before installing, which describes new features and security content.

Major versions also receive a final round of security updates for a while after the next one arrives, which is how recently dropped iPads stay protected for a time.

Not enough storage for the update

An update needs free space to download and unpack, often several gigabytes more than its download size. If iPadOS says there is not enough space, open Settings > General > iPad Storage. It shows what uses the space and offers recommendations, such as offloading unused apps, which removes the app but keeps its documents and data, and reviewing large attachments in Messages.

Common space users are downloaded videos in streaming apps, old photos and videos when iCloud Photos is off, podcast downloads and messaging app media. Delete what you can, then try again. If space is still short, updating from a computer, described next, needs less free space on the iPad because the computer does the downloading and unpacking.

Freeing space without losing anything

Several settings free space safely. In Settings > Photos, turning on iCloud Photos with Optimize iPad Storage keeps full-resolution photos in iCloud and smaller versions on the iPad. In Settings > Messages, setting Keep Messages to one year removes old message attachments automatically. In Settings > App Store, Offload Unused Apps removes apps you have not used for a while while keeping their data. Streaming apps' downloads, often several gigabytes, can be deleted in each app and downloaded again later.

These changes free space for this update and keep it free for the next, which is why Jake set them on Ethan's mother's iPad after the update finished.

Check iPad Storage again a week after the update; the system data category often shrinks once temporary update files are cleaned up automatically.

Update from a Mac or Windows PC

1. Connect the iPad to the computer with a cable and unlock it; tap Trust if asked.
2. On a Mac, open Finder and select the iPad; on Windows, open the Apple Devices app or, on older setups, iTunes.
3. In the General or Summary section, select Check for Update.
4. Select Download and Update, and follow the prompts.
5. Keep the iPad connected until it restarts and shows the Home Screen.

Computer updates are also the route when an iPad cannot update over the air, for example on unreliable Wi-Fi or when storage is very tight. Ethan used this method on his laptop for his mother's iPad.

On Windows, if the Apple Devices app does not see the iPad, try another cable and USB port, unlock the iPad and accept the Trust prompt again, and make sure the app is updated from the Microsoft Store. Some USB hubs and cheap cables carry power but not data.

A computer update also creates a natural moment to make a fresh local backup, since the iPad is already connected.

When the update will not install

• No update shown: the iPad may already be up to date, or too old for the newest version. Check the model against the compatibility list.
• "Unable to Check for Update": check Wi-Fi, try another network, and restart the iPad.
• "Unable to Verify Update": delete the downloaded update in iPad Storage (it appears as an iPadOS entry), restart, and download again.
• Stuck at "Preparing Update": wait up to an hour on slower iPads; if nothing changes, restart and try again.
• Not enough space: free space or update from a computer.
• Battery too low: plug in.
• Managed iPad: school or work iPads may have updates controlled by the organization; ask its IT team.

Persistent problems on a single iPad, after trying the computer route, are worth taking to Apple Support or an authorized service provider, who can run diagnostics and reinstall the software if needed.

Update messages and what they mean

Most messages point straight to their fix; the table saves guessing which one applies.

If a message appears that is not listed, restarting the iPad and trying once more clears most one-off errors; if it repeats, the computer route nearly always works.

Error codes shown in Finder or Apple Devices during computer updates are listed on Apple's support site, which explains each one and its usual fix.

Stuck on the Apple logo or in a restart loop

If the iPad stays on the Apple logo for a very long time after an update, or keeps restarting, first try a force restart. On iPads without a Home button, quickly press and release the volume button nearest the top button, then the other volume button, then press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. On iPads with a Home button, press and hold the Home and top buttons together until the logo appears.

If that fails, use recovery mode with a computer: connect the iPad, open Finder or Apple Devices, then perform the force restart sequence but keep holding the top button until the recovery screen with a computer and cable appears. Choose Update, which tries to reinstall iPadOS without erasing data. Only if Update fails should you choose Restore, which erases the iPad, after which you restore from your backup.

Recovery mode downloads the full iPadOS software, which can take a while on slow connections; if it takes longer than about 15 minutes, the iPad may exit recovery mode, and you simply repeat the button sequence to return.

Stay with the iPad during recovery: a prompt on the computer may need a click to continue, and missing it can make the process seem stuck.

Older iPads that cannot update

An iPad dropped from the newest version keeps working, and it continues to run its last supported version. Apple has generally provided security updates for the previous major version on supported devices for a period after a new release, so a recent iPad that missed the cut can still receive some security fixes for a time. Check Software Update for those.

Over time, apps raise their minimum version, as Ethan's mother's banking app did, and an old iPad gradually loses access to apps and services. For browsing, video calls and reading, an older iPad remains useful for years; for banking, shopping and anything sensitive, a supported device is safer. When you replace one, erase it properly first in Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings, after signing out of your Apple Account.

Keeping an unsupported iPad useful

An iPad that no longer receives updates can still do plenty of safe jobs: an e-reader with downloaded books, a recipe screen in the kitchen, a digital photo frame, a music remote for speakers, or a video player for downloaded films on trips. Keep it off sensitive accounts such as banking and email, use it mostly offline or on your home network, and keep whatever apps it can still update current. Guided Access, in Settings > Accessibility, can lock it to a single app, useful for a kitchen or child's device.

If you eventually retire it, Apple and many retailers offer trade-in or recycling, which also erases it safely when you follow their instructions.

Many families pass an older iPad to a child for reading and educational apps; set it up with a child account and Screen Time, and keep it to apps that still receive updates on its version.

Battery health on older iPads

Older iPads with worn batteries may struggle during big updates, shutting down unexpectedly at low charge. Keep them plugged in throughout. Recent iPad models show battery health in Settings > Battery; on older ones, Apple Support or an authorized service provider can check it. A battery replacement can extend an iPad's useful life considerably if the model is still supported by updates, which is often a better deal than replacing an iPad that only has a tired battery.

Very old batteries can also swell over time; if an iPad's screen starts lifting from its frame, stop charging it and seek service rather than attempting an update.

An authorized battery replacement uses genuine parts and is carried out safely, which matters with lithium batteries, and keeps the iPad eligible for further service.

When apps require a newer iPadOS

App developers set a minimum iPadOS version, and they raise it over time as they adopt new features and drop support for old ones. When an app needs a newer version than your iPad has, the App Store shows a message saying it requires a later iPadOS, or the installed app stops updating. Banking, government and payment apps tend to raise minimums quickly for security reasons. If your iPad can update, updating fixes this. If it cannot, the App Store may offer the last compatible version of some apps, which keeps working for a while but without new updates.

The App Store's purchased list, under your account picture, lets you re-download apps you own, and on older iPads it may offer the last compatible version automatically.

Beta versions: should you try them?

Apple offers developer and public beta versions of upcoming iPadOS releases, enabled in Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates after joining Apple's free Beta Software Program with your Apple Account. Betas give early access to new features but can be unstable, drain battery and break apps. Install them only on a spare iPad, never on one you rely on for work, school or banking, and always back up first, since returning to the stable version may require erasing the iPad.

The original version of this page, from 2019, covered installing the first iPadOS beta, when Apple split iPadOS from iOS and gave the iPad its own operating system name for the first time.

To leave the beta program, turn off Beta Updates in Software Update and wait for the next public release, which will install over the beta without erasing the iPad.

Feedback you send during a beta through the Feedback app helps Apple fix problems before the public release.

After updating: what to check

After a major update, give the iPad a day: it re-indexes content in the background, which can make it warm and slower for a short time. Open your important apps and update them from the App Store, since developers release compatibility updates around major versions. Check Settings > Privacy & Security for new options, and review any new features that changed defaults. If battery life seems worse after a few days, check Settings > Battery for apps using unusual power.

If an app misbehaves after the update and no app update is available yet, deleting and reinstalling it from the App Store often helps, though check first that its data is synced or backed up.

Review privacy settings after a major update

Major updates sometimes add new privacy features or change defaults. After updating, spend a few minutes in Settings > Privacy & Security: review location access, tracking permissions and the App Privacy Report, and check any new options mentioned in the update notes. Our guide to what data your phone or tablet sends covers these settings in detail for iPad and iPhone as well as Android.

It is also a good moment to remove apps you no longer use, since each one is something that needs updating and can collect data in the background.

Notifications are worth a look too: new versions sometimes let apps request new kinds of notifications, which you can decline.

Common issues after updating

• Battery drains faster for a day or two: normal while the iPad re-indexes; check again after a few days.
• Wi-Fi problems: forget and rejoin the network, or reset network settings.
• An app crashes: update it from the App Store, or reinstall it.
• Mail or accounts ask for passwords: sign in again; this is common after major updates.
• Settings changed: review new options in Settings, especially privacy and notifications.

If problems persist after a few days, Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings resets preferences without erasing data or apps, a useful middle step before anything more drastic.

Keyboard shortcuts and gestures sometimes change between major versions too; the Tips app and a long press on the Globe key on keyboards show the current shortcuts.

An older iPad feels slower after updating

The oldest models on a new release sometimes feel slower, because new features ask more of their hardware. Give it a few days for background indexing to finish, then try a few steps: restart it, close apps you are not using, turn off features you do not need such as some widgets and visual effects in Accessibility > Motion > Reduce Motion, and keep plenty of storage free. If it is still noticeably slower after a week, that is a sign the iPad is near the end of its practical life for heavy use, though it remains fine for lighter tasks.

Turning off Background App Refresh for apps that do not need it, in General settings, also lightens the load on older hardware and saves battery.

Apple Pencil, keyboards and accessories

Apple accessories such as the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard have their own firmware, which updates automatically when they are connected to an updated iPad. There is usually nothing to do except keep them connected and charged for a while after a major update. If an accessory stops working after an update, disconnect and reconnect it, restart the iPad, and check that the accessory is compatible with that iPad model. Third-party keyboards and cases with their own apps may need those apps updated too.

Pencil and keyboard firmware versions are visible in Settings > General > About when the accessory is connected, which helps support teams if problems persist.

Older accessories designed for earlier iPad models may not fit or charge on newer ones, which matters more when replacing an iPad than when updating it.

Updating a child's or relative's iPad

Family members' iPads often fall behind on updates. If you manage a child's iPad through Family Sharing and Screen Time, updates still install on the device itself, so turn on automatic updates there. For an older relative, set automatic updates, make sure iCloud Backup has enough space, and show them that the red badge on Settings means an update is waiting. A quick check during visits keeps their iPad secure; it took Jake ten minutes to set this up for Ethan's mother once the big update was done.

A shared family note listing each iPad's model and current version also helps whoever handles the next update, and makes it obvious when a device has fallen behind or reached the end of support.

A simple iPad update checklist

1. Check the model and version in Settings > General > About.
2. Confirm the model supports the newest iPadOS.
3. Back up to iCloud or a computer.
4. Free several gigabytes of storage.
5. Connect to Wi-Fi and power.
6. Install from Software Update, or from a computer if that fails.
7. Update apps from the App Store afterwards.
8. Turn on automatic updates for next time.

Following these steps in order avoids nearly every problem on this page, which is exactly the order Jake followed for Ethan's mother.

School and work iPads

iPads issued by schools and employers are usually managed through device management, which can delay or require updates according to the organization's schedule. You may see an update offered later than on a personal iPad, or a notice that your organization requires an update by a certain date. Follow those instructions rather than trying to bypass them, and contact the IT team if an update fails. Personal accounts and data on managed iPads may be limited by policy, so keep important personal files backed up elsewhere.

If you are given a school iPad for a child, ask whether you should install updates at home or leave them to the school, since policies differ.

Managed iPads may also show a notice at the bottom of Settings explaining that the device is supervised, which confirms the organization controls some settings.

What this page said in 2019

In June 2019, Apple announced iPadOS 13, its first operating system made specifically for the iPad, separate from iOS for iPhones, and this page explained how to install the beta. iPadOS has since gained desktop-class features, from multitasking and windowing to keyboard and trackpad support, and changed naming to match the year. This rewrite turns the beta note into a guide for keeping any iPad up to date.

The lasting point from that era is simple: the iPad gets its own updates on its own schedule, and keeping up with them keeps it useful.

Updating an iPad: frequently asked questions

Ethan's mother's iPad now updates itself overnight, backs up to iCloud after Ethan bought her a little more storage, and her banking app has not complained since. The update itself was never the hard part; the full storage and the forgotten backup were. With those sorted, keeping an iPad current is something it does on its own.

Revision note. Written October 2, 2026, rewriting our 2019 note on installing the first iPadOS beta into a complete guide to updating an iPad to the latest iPadOS. May your iPad always be on a version its apps are happy with.