How long do you use your iPad before buying a new one? Apple products last a long time and this is even more true for the iPad. The tablet is usually at home on the couch or in a thick protective case. The chance that it will break on the paving stones is not that big. The lifespan is therefore mainly determined by the software and the internal components. Some people use an iPad for five years or more and that is of course completely fine, because using things for longer is better for the environment. But there comes a time when the iPad really needs to be replaced. Here are 4 signs that an iPad is too old.
#1 iPad no longer receives software or security updates
Apple has been releasing software updates for years. For example, you can still update the 2018 iPad Pros to iPadOS 18. You can also often update older models to fairly recent software versions such as iPadOS 15 and 16. This gives you almost all the options you need to surf the internet, watch movies and more. Do you like to look forward to the new features that Apple has in store every year and do you want to try them out on your iPad right away? Then it’s time for a new one. But if the iPad is mainly intended for basic functions, you don’t have to worry about the fact that there will be no more software updates. You will no longer get new features, but you may not have been waiting for that at all.
Things will be different if Apple stops releasing security updates. Even for older iPads, small updates are released regularly that close security holes. Apple does this for iPads that are a maximum of about ten years old. You can continue to use an iPad after that, but it is not really safe. You run the risk that someone with malicious intent can look into your private data and use it for financial gain.
#2 iPad is getting slow
A top model like the iPad Pro will last longer than an entry-level model. This is because the more expensive models are always equipped with the latest and most powerful chip. This ensures that they receive software updates for longer, but also that the tablet continues to respond smoothly during use. Simply because the hardware is better and more future-proof. If an iPad feels very slow, it is no longer pleasant to use and it is time for a new one.
#3 iPad battery drains quickly
Batteries are susceptible to wear and tear. This is an irreversible process, which the manufacturer cannot do much about. With a large format tablet with a high battery capacity, you will not notice this so much, but with smaller tablets it is annoying if you always have to have a charger at hand. You could consider having a new battery installed, but this also has costs involved. You can probably switch to a brand new iPad for 100-200 euros more, which you will enjoy for much longer.
#4 Your favorite app no ​​longer works
If your iPad is running an older version of software, that doesn’t have to be a problem. Many apps do take into account older iPads that are still running iPadOS 15 or 16. But things are different if you’re dependent on a much older version of iPadOS. Developers of third-party apps won’t continue to support these older software versions forever, and that makes sense. It holds back new functionality if they always have to take into account a handful of users who still have an old iPad. The same goes for Apple’s software: if you want to use Garageband on the iPad, you need at least iPadOS 17.4. If your favorite app no ​​longer works, it’s time for a new iPad.
Conclusion: when is your iPad too old?
An iPad is too old when it becomes too slow to use comfortably. We also consider an iPad too old when there are no more security updates. This applies to iPads that are about 10 years old or older. You would be wise to buy a newer model, so that you can use your iPad safely.
By the way, you can still do a lot with an old iPad. You won’t get much for it when you trade it in, but there are all sorts of other applications you can think of. A good idea is to use your old iPad as a photo frame. That is also possible if the iPad no longer receives security updates, because you can use such a photo frame completely offline.
You can read which iPad you should get in our iPad buying overview, where we introduce you to the latest models and tell you which ones you should and shouldn’t buy.
