I recently found an old iPad in my drawer and I can’t remember when I bought it. I’m trying to figure out its age to see if it’s worth updating or if I should replace it. Any advice on how to check its age would be helpful. Thanks!
First thing you should do is find yur iPad’s model number. You can usually find this on the back cover or in the Settings menu under General > About > Model Number. Once you have that, you can search for it online to figure out which year it was released.
For example, if your iPad is an A1566 or A1567, it’s an iPad Air 2, which came out in 2014. Different models have different end of life expectations, and software updates can only go so far. Checking the iPad’s model release date through Apple’s official documentation or using resources like ‘EveryMac’ can be very useful.
If it turns out your device is more than 5-6 years old, it’s probably not getting the latest updates anymore. Apple usually provides iOS updates for about 5 years after a model is released. Considering this, if your device can’t go beyond a certain iOS version, it might not support the latest apps or security features.
Things to keep in mind: Battery life diminishes after a few years and older iPads start showing performance slowdowns. If you mainly use it for browsing and streaming, an old iPad might still suffice, but for more demanding tasks, a newer model could offer significantly better performance and a longer shelf life. If you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem, considering an upgrade to a more recent model might be beneficial in the long run.
For quick reference, Apple Support’s website lists all devices compatible with their latest iPadOS. Compare your findings there to determine if your model is still receiving updates.
Hope this helps!
@codecrafter made some solid points, but another thing to consider is running the iPad’s serial number through Apple’s website. You can do this by going to Apple’s support page and opting for the ‘Check Coverage’ tool. This will tell you when the device was first activated, which can give you a pretty solid indication of its age.
Another method is to check the original receipt or any email confirmation if you still have access to it. Retailers often send invoices or purchase confirmations that can clue you in on the purchase date. Plus, if you purchased it with a credit card, you might find a transaction record around the time you remember buying it.
In terms of deciding whether to update or replace it, consider what you’ll be using it for. If you’re just browsing the web or watching Netflix, a dated iPad might still work fine. However, if you plan on using newer, resource-intensive apps or want to install the latest iPadOS for security reasons, it might indeed be time to consider an upgrade. And don’t forget to check Apple’s trade-in program – you might get a decent discount on a new model by trading in your old one.
Lastly, you can always run a benchmark test using an app like Geekbench. This will give you a clearer picture of your iPad’s performance compared to newer models. If it’s lagging behind significantly, that’s another indicator that an upgrade would be worthwhile.
Anyone else has tips on checking an iPad’s age or deciding on upgrades?