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I have an iPad mini 2. How do I update my iOS 12 to iOS 16.6.1

I have a website stating that I must have ios16.6.1 but my system says it is up to date. It is only 12.5.7. Where’d I I get the download


iPad mini, iOS 12

Posted on Nov 8, 2023 4:16 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 14, 2024 5:53 AM

I need to update my iPad mini 2 to 16 ios

14 replies

Nov 8, 2023 5:15 PM in response to 1stgrammie

The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.7.


Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they continue to receive occasional “point” security updates, the most recent being released January 2023. These devices cannot be updated to iPadOS 13 (or any later major versions of iPadOS) as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements (CPU capabilities and available RAM) for newer versions of iOS/iPadOS.


Some App developers have dropped support for iOS versions preceding iOS 13.x for technical reasons (often because APIs or software libraries upon which they rely have been updated in the new version of iPadOS, making their App incompatible with earlier versions). 


For security, some websites and almost all Financial Institutions require that customers use computers that are both using a current/supported version of the computer's host Operating System - and secure version of web browser software. If your iPad (or other computer) cannot meet the required minimum requirements, you have no alternative than to replace the computer with a device and OS that does meet the required minima. For iPad, if you need to access to Apps or websites requiring the most recent versions of iOS, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model that supports iPadOS16/17.



For information, here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated:


32-bit devices (obsolete)

iPad1 - iOS 5.1.1

iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular)

iPad4 - iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only), iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular)


64-bit devices

iPad Air1, iPad mini2 and iPad mini3 - iOS 12.5.7

iPad Air2, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.8

iPad5, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" first generation) - iPadOS 16.7.2


Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 17.1.1

  • iPad Pro 12.9" (2nd generation and later)
  • iPad Pro 11" (1st generation and later)
  • iPad Pro 10.5"
  • iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
  • iPad (6th generation and later)
  • iPad mini (5th generation and later)



Jun 8, 2024 10:00 AM in response to bikrom288

bikrom288 wrote:

Plz update my phone 7


This forum is for the iPad, and this thread is about the iPad mini 2.


But if your question was about updating the iPhone 7 to iOS 16, you can't. You can update an iPhone 7 to the latest release of iOS 15. Your iPhone 7 will never offer you an update to iOS 16 or higher.


About iOS 15 Updates - Apple Support

Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Jun 6, 2024 1:26 AM in response to Somdimong

Somdimong wrote:

I want to update version software iPad mini 2 iOS 12 to iOS 16.6


As indicated elsewhere in this thread, the iPad mini2 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.7.


Apple ended major update support for this and other models of iPad in September 2019 - although they have since received occasional “point” security updates, the most recent being released January 2023. These devices cannot be updated to iPadOS 13 (or any later major versions of iPadOS) as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements (CPU capabilities and available RAM) for newer versions of iOS/iPadOS.


Whilst many App titles remain compatible with your iPad, if you want or need to access to Apps requiring more recent versions of iOS, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model that supports iPadOS16/17.

Apr 14, 2024 9:06 AM in response to abinadinoga

abinadinoga wrote:

I need to update my iPad mini 2 to 16 ios


The iPad mini 2 will never run iOS / iPadOS 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17 – no matter how much you want it to do so. Apple released that iPad more than 10 years ago, in October 2013 – and among other things, it only has 1 GB of RAM.


If you need an iPad mini with something more recent than the latest release of iOS 12, see:


Apple Trade In - Apple

Buy iPad - Apple

Refurbished iPad Deals - Apple


or the corresponding Apple sites for your country. I am guessing that Apple probably won't offer you any trade-in credit, but will offer to recycle the iPad mini 2 for free.

I have an iPad mini 2. How do I update my iOS 12 to iOS 16.6.1

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