Always keeping your iPad up to date is important. This way you can always use new iPadOS features and you also remain protected against attacks from malicious parties. Apple regularly releases an update to iPadOS for this purpose. Installing an iPad update is a simple task.
Can I install an iPadOS update?
Not sure if you have the latest version of iPadOS installed? Then you can check that. In another article you can read what the latest iPadOS version is at the moment. This is how you check whether an update is available for your iPad:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to the General tab if you weren’t there already.
- Now tap Software Update and let the iPad search for an update.
- Will there be a new version? Then you can install it, but first follow the steps further in this article. If it says “iPadOS is up to date,” there is no new version available at this time.
Do you get an error message while searching for an update? Then check whether your internet connection on the iPad works properly by, for example, visiting a website or opening the App Store. Restarting the iPad may also help. If a new iPadOS version has just been released, it may take a while until you can see it. Especially with major updates, it is sometimes advisable to try again in an hour.
Have you read somewhere that a new update should be available, but you don’t see it appear? Then two things could be wrong: it is still a beta version or your iPad is not suitable. Apple tests most updates first by releasing beta versions of iPadOS that are not intended for the general public. In addition, not all iPads are suitable for the latest update. Do you have an old iPad? Then this could be the cause.
Prepare for an iPadOS update
Although the chance that an update will fail is very small, Apple still recommends making a backup of your iPad beforehand. If something goes wrong, at least you won’t lose any data. We recommend backing up to iCloud as that is usually the easiest way.
We have a separate article about making an iCloud backup. Follow the steps in that article to create the backup, then return to this article.
Install new version of iPadOS
An update is available, you have a suitable iPad and the backup has been made. Now you are ready to install the iPad update. Follow the steps below, or watch Apple’s video to continue.
- Make sure your iPad is charged or connect the charger.
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to the General tab if you weren’t there already.
- Now tap Software Update and let the iPad search for an update.
- Choose Update Now to update immediately. You may have to agree to new terms and conditions.
- Wait for the update to download and install. Depending on the update, your internet connection and your iPad, this may take shorter or longer. The iPad will restart itself when the process is complete.
Update iPad via computer
As also shown in the video, you have the option to update your iPad via the computer. You need a cable to connect your iPad wired and it will probably take longer to download the update. If you still want to update this way, follow the steps below or watch the Apple video above.
- Connect your iPad to your computer. When your iPad and/or computer asks for this, you indicate that you trust the device.
- Open Finder on Mac. For Windows and old Macs, open iTunes.
- You will find your iPad on the left in the menu. Click on this.
- Now click on Check for update and follow the next steps on the screen. Do not disconnect your iPad until the update is complete.
Did you know that you can also have an iPad update installed automatically? If you set this up, you no longer have to worry about updating. You can read how to achieve this in our separate tip.
