I just bought an older ipad air.

I am trying to set it up and when I get to backup from icloud thats it. It says the OS isn’t current enough.

Is there some way around that?

Thanks,
Bob

Does it prompt you to update it before performing the restore? It's supposed to do that.

Nope. I have an older iPad mini that's in the same boat. Apple only provides OS updates for a finite period of time, after which you're stuck with an ipad that only 'kinda' works.

had that issue picked up one on Woot, it was too old to update and allow the installation of many apps including Amazon Kindle app.

Woot took it back and we had to choose a model and pay a bit more, which was fine, to get one that will update properly.

Are you able to just set it up as new (not from a back up)?

Are you trying to cloud back up from an ipad that had a newer ios version not supported by that air?

Here is a list of ipads and the final ios supported.

Depends on a few things. The list 2012BOSS posted will let you know if it's currently supported. If it's out of support I'm not sure if there is anything you can do.

Here is a link to the above list.

ipad list

I was able to set it up with no iCloud backup.
That’s just fine for what I need it for.

Thanks guys,
Bob

That’s the issue I am dealing with some of the Apps will not allow me to down load stating they need 13 OS. My IPad Air 2 is as far as it can go on OS updates. I am SOL! Will be looking for a new one soon.

Interesting topic.

I have ( and typing this on) a Ipad on 9.3 OS.
Of course no software upgrades are available, I'm going to keep using it as long as possible.
And of course, the browser not being supported.

Been noticing internet lags, my broadband buffers more over the past year. But, I've really used it a lot.

Recently purchased a 10" HD Fire Tablet and a Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite as possible replacements, but finding I still favor the IPad. I may get another IPad if this one conks. Wish I could afford the Pro model.

Giving one of the new tablets to wife.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
Nope. I have an older iPad mini that's in the same boat. Apple only provides OS updates for a finite period of time,...

To be fair, though, it's a pretty long time. Five years? Five model versions? I know the latest iOS version, 14.x, is available for the iPhone 6S, which was released in 2015.

Heck, my Series 1, Gen. 2 Apple Watch is still getting updates. (I'll be upgrading it to an SE soon, though.)

We just upgraded my wife to a Pro for the 12 in. screen. She used her old iPad extensively, and the battery was getting weak. I'm posting this using the same thing she had: A 2017 iPad 9.7 in., which is running iOS 14.