At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2023), Apple unveiled the latest version of iPadOS — iPadOS 17, equipped with new features and improvements. The update brings new ways of customizing the lock screen, interacting with widgets, and working on PDFs in the Notes app. Additionally, the Health app is now available on iPads for the first time.
The iPadOS 17 update, while perhaps featuring fewer new or updated features than previous versions, still brings several noteworthy changes and improvements. For instance, the Messages app has received some updates, as has FaceTime. Additionally, Safari and Password have seen some tweaks and improvements. In addition to these changes, the update includes new sticker packs, which can add fun and creativity to your conversations. While it may not be the most extensive update, iPadOS 17 still brings valuable and enjoyable improvements.
However, not all iPads are compatible with iPadOS 17. In fact, some iPads that supported the previous version (iPadOS 16) won’t be able to run the new version. Here is the complete list of iPads that are compatible with iPadOS 17.
Which iPads can download iPadOS 17?
Interestingly, the iPadOS 17 update works on the iPad 6th gen, which includes the A10 chipset. The iPhone models that use the A11 processor, which is a generation newer, don’t work with iOS 17. The full list of iPads getting iPadOS 17 is as follows:
- iPad (6th generation and later)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation and later)
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
Some iPadOS 17 features, like using your hands for 3D reactions in FaceTime, are limited to newer iPads like the iPad 10th gen and above. The feature lets you add 3D augmented reality effects like hearts, confetti, fireworks, and more on video calls. Another feature that is making waves is the one that notifies you when your iPad is too close to your face. This feature ensures you maintain a safe distance between your eyes and the iPad screen to avoid potential harm. However, this feature is only available on iPad Pro models due to the presence of Face ID sensors.
So, which models are finally cut off from updates? The 5th gen iPad got iPadOS 16 last year, but it is not getting iPadOS 17. This is also true of the first-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which also got iPadOS 16 but won’t work with iPadOS 17.
If Apple announces a new iPad before the end of 2023, it will almost certainly ship with iPadOS 17. New iPads in the coming months are likely; the most recent iPads on the market were released late in 2022, including the iPad 10th generation and iPad Pro 6th generation. The most recent iPad mini and iPad Air are even older.
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