Computers, Laptops & Tablets Apple 1,934 1934 people found this article helpful Is Your iPad Obsolete and Outdated? Here are the models that are discontinued by Daniel Nations Writer Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, The Spruce, and other publications. our editorial process Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Daniel Nations Updated on September 11, 2020 reviewed by Michelle Adeola Adelufosi Lifewire Tech Review Board Member Michelle Adeola Adelufosi is a marketing consultant with 9 years' experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design. our review board Article reviewed on Feb 15, 2020 Michelle Adeola Adelufosi Apple iPad Macs Tweet Share Email Did you know about half of the iPads out in the world are obsolete? And most people don't even know it because their devices still work quite well. That's the great "mistake" of Apple's iPad. It works so well, people don't realize when it might be time to upgrade. If you are one of those people walking around with an obsolete or outdated iPad, you may soon find it unable to run the newest apps or it won't update existing apps. In a technical sense, an obsolete device is one that's no longer supported by the manufacturer, but the real-world definition of being obsolete is when a device is closer to a paperweight than a useful tablet. Obsolete Models as of October 2019 The following iPad models became obsolete on or before September 26, 2019. In this case, "obsolete" mean the modell are both discontinued and unsupported by Apple, and they won't support the latest versions of iPadOS. iPad, iPad 2, iPad (3rd generation), iPad (4th generation), iPad AiriPad Mini through iPad Mini 3 Theresa Chiechi / Lifewire Discontinued but Supported The following models are no longer sold, but they remain within Apple's service window for iPadOS updates: iPad Air 2iPad Mini 4iPad Pro, 1st and 2nd generationiPad, 5th and 6th generation Currently Sold and Supported If you're rocking one of these devices in the autumn of 2019, you're in excellent shape: iPad Pro, 4th generationiPad Air, 3rd generationiPad Mini, 5th generationiPad, 7th generation Uses for Obsolete iPads An iPad out of the service window isn't necessarily useless. Although it may be older or no longer capable of receiving iPadOS updates, an older tablet still makes a great tableside companion in your living room, an effective e-book reader, or a light-duty device for reading mail or checking your favorite websites. It's OK to use the device until it dies; just know that the longer you go without updates from Apple, the more likely it is that security glitches could affect your tablet. So don't use an unpatched iPad for important or sensitive applications.