iPad Air
Our verdict
Repurpose it.
Its update days are over. Its useful days aren’t.
I
Give it a job
A recipe stand, a HomeKit dashboard, a digital photo frame.
II
Keep it off the open web
Without security updates, treat it as a single-purpose appliance rather than a daily browser.
III
Or let it go
Apple no longer services this model, but Apple Stores still take it for free recycling. Working units are worth more sold than scrapped.
ObsoleteTops out at iPadOS 12.5.7.
Where to sell it
The record
Introduced
2013
Model identifier
iPad4,1, iPad4,2
Variants
Wi-Fi · cellular
Chip
Apple A7
Architecture
64-bit ARM
Latest official release
iPadOS 12.5.7
With OpenCore Patcher
Not applicable
Security updates
Ended — iOS 12 received its final security update in 2023 (last release 12.5.7).
Apple hardware status
Obsolete — no longer serviced
Data confidence
high
Common questions
What is the newest iPadOS for the iPad Air?
The iPad Air officially tops out at iPadOS 12.5.7.
Is the iPad Air still getting security updates?
No. Ended — iOS 12 received its final security update in 2023 (last release 12.5.7).
Is the iPad Air vintage or obsolete?
Apple classifies it as obsolete: no more parts, no more service. Apple Stores will still recycle it for free.
The fine print
a
apple_device_models_2013_present.csv says iPad Air (iPad4,2) · task1_models.csv says iPad Air (1st generation) (iPad4,1). We use: iPad Air.
Same shelf