Which iPads Can Run iPadOS 16? Full List

iPadOS 16 runs on every iPad that supports iPadOS 15, except the 5th-generation iPad (2017). In total, 16 iPad models are eligible, from the iPad mini 5 (2019) and iPad 6th generation (2018) up through the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The full list, along with how to check your model and what to do if yours isn’t supported, is below.

Full List of Supported iPads

Apple published the official compatibility list when iPadOS 16 was released in October 2022. These are the models that can install and run iPadOS 16:

iPad Pro (all models, 1st generation and later)
iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
iPad (6th generation and later)
iPad mini (5th generation and later)

That translates to these specific models:

iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th generation)
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th generation)
iPad Pro 10.5-inch
iPad Pro 9.7-inch
iPad Air (3rd, 4th, 5th generation)
iPad (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th generation)
iPad mini (5th and 6th generation)

If you have an iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation, 2015), an iPad Pro 9.7-inch (2016), or an iPad Pro 10.5-inch (2017), you’re fine. The only iPad that ran iPadOS 15 but not iPadOS 16 is the 5th-generation iPad (2017), which has the A9 chip and 2 GB of RAM.

Why Some iPads Were Dropped

Apple typically drops older devices when a new OS version requires more memory or a faster processor. For iPadOS 16, the cutoff was the A9 chip. The iPad 5th generation (2017) uses the A9, while the iPad 6th generation (2018) uses the A10 Fusion. That’s why the 6th-gen iPad made the cut but the 5th-gen didn’t.

Apple’s pattern has been to support devices for about 5–6 years after release. The 5th-gen iPad was released in March 2017, so it got five years of updates (through iPadOS 15). The 6th-gen iPad, released a year later, got an extra year.

How to Check Your iPad Model

Not sure which generation you own? Here’s how to find out:

Open the Settings app.
Tap General → About.
Look for Model Name (e.g., iPad Air (4th generation)).
If you only see a model number (like A2152), tap on it to reveal the model name.

You can also check the back of the iPad for a small model number. Cross-reference that with Apple’s list of iPad model numbers to identify the generation.

How to Install iPadOS 16

If your iPad is supported, you can update wirelessly:

Connect to Wi-Fi and plug in your iPad (optional but recommended).
Go to Settings → General → Software Update.
Tap Download and Install.
Enter your passcode if prompted, and agree to the terms.

The update is about 2–3 GB, so make sure you have enough free storage. If you don’t see the update, your iPad may be unsupported or the update may not be available in your region yet.

Key Features of iPadOS 16

iPadOS 16 introduced several features that require specific hardware. Here’s what you get on any supported iPad:

Stage Manager – A new multitasking interface, but only on iPad Pro and iPad Air models with M1 or M2 chips (iPad Pro 5th/6th gen, iPad Air 5th gen).
Weather app – Native weather app for iPad, available on all supported models.
Freeform – A collaborative whiteboard app (requires iPadOS 16.1 or later).
Reference Mode – For color-accurate work, only on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th gen and later) with Liquid Retina XDR display.
Full external display support – Only with M1/M2 iPads.

So even if your iPad is supported, some headline features may not be available. For example, an iPad 6th gen can run iPadOS 16 but won’t get Stage Manager.

What If Your iPad Isn’t Supported?

If your iPad is the 5th generation (2017) or older, you can’t install iPadOS 16. You’ll stay on iPadOS 15, which Apple continues to provide security updates for a while. You can still use your iPad normally, but you won’t get new features.

If you’re considering upgrading, look for a used or refurbished iPad 6th generation or newer. Any of those will run iPadOS 16. The iPad 9th generation (2021) is a budget-friendly option that supports iPadOS 16 and will likely get several more years of updates.

Common Problems and Fixes

Even on supported iPads, updates can fail. Here are typical issues and solutions:

Update not appearing – Check that your iPad is on the list. If it is, restart the iPad and check again. Also make sure the update is released for your region.
Not enough storage – Go to Settings → General → iPad Storage and delete unused apps or videos. You need at least 3–4 GB free.
Update stuck on “Preparing” – Force restart your iPad (press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the top button until the Apple logo appears). Then retry.
Battery drains faster after update – This is normal for the first day or two as the iPad reindexes. If it persists, restart your iPad and check background app refresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will iPadOS 16 be the last update for my iPad? Not necessarily. Apple typically supports devices for 5–6 years. For example, the iPad 6th gen (2018) got iPadOS 16, and it’s likely to get iPadOS 17 as well (though not guaranteed). The iPad 5th gen (2017) was dropped after 5 years, so expect similar support for newer models.

Can I downgrade back to iPadOS 15? Yes, but only for a short time after a new update is released. Apple stops signing the previous version within a few weeks. After that, you can’t downgrade without a jailbreak or unsupported methods.

Does iPadOS 16 run well on older iPads? Generally, yes, but expect slower performance on devices with older chips like the A10 or A12. Features like Stage Manager are not available on those, so the experience is closer to iPadOS 15 with some visual changes.

Is iPadOS 16 free? Yes, it’s a free download for all supported iPads. You just need enough storage and a Wi-Fi connection.

What’s the newest iPadOS version? As of late 2024, iPadOS 17 is the latest, with iPadOS 18 announced at WWDC 2024. If you’re on iPadOS 16, you can update to the latest version if your iPad supports it (most iPads that run iPadOS 16 also run iPadOS 17, except the iPad 6th gen and iPad Pro 10.5-inch/12.9-inch 2nd gen, which are not supported in iPadOS 17).

Can I install iPadOS 16 on an unsupported iPad? Not officially. There are third-party tools that claim to bypass compatibility checks, but they’re risky and can brick your device. It’s not recommended.

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