The earliest supported iPad is the fifth-generation model. Your iPad 4 will survive and stay a viable, functioning iPad for a couple more years. Sadly there is not a way to get the iPad 4 onto iOS 11. Below are the direct links for the iOS firmware updates that have been released for the iPad by Apple so far. List of Apple’s All iOS 12 Compatible devices. Apple has just announced the latest versions of its mobile software: iOS 13 for the iPhone, and the newly renamed iPadOS for its iPad lineups.

Honestly though, despite the feature set (which would be gimped a bit on iPad 4, as it is on older compatible iPads), I would not advise you to put it on that device if it were possible. Currently, iPad 4 models are STILL receiving app … Apple wants as many people to download and use iOS 12 as possible, and the update will be available for all devices that currently support iOS 11 and later. The easiest way to get iOS 12 is to install it right on the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch you want to update. This includes every iPhone since the iPhone 5s, a whole lot of iPads, and even the most recent generation of iPod touch. Unlike iOS 11 before it, which did drop support for some devices, iOS 12 supports the same iOS devices as its predecessor. From iPhone 5S onwards iOS 11 was available. iPhone 5 and below devices were not given iOS 11 updates. The final app updates your 4th gen iPad will receive will be its last!

If you’re not sure which firmware file to download for your iPad, then check the post which will help you identify which firmware file to download based on your iPad’s model. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Specifically, iOS 12 supports the "iPhone 5s and later, all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation, iPad 6th generation, iPad mini 2 and later and iPod touch 6th generation… Now for iPad, iPad 4th gen was not included in iOS 11 update, and iPod touch 6 th generation was included for iOS 11. The 4th gen iPad has had over 5 years of iOS upgrades/updates.