Alongside the launch of iOS 12.4, Apple today released new versions of iOS 9.3.6 and iOS 10.3.4 for older iPhones and iPads that aren't able to run iOS 12.4.

The iOS 9.3.6 update is available for the iPhone 4s and cellular models of the original iPad mini, the iPad 2, and the ‌iPad‌ 3, while iOS 10.3.4 is available for the cellular version of the ‌iPad‌ 4 and the ‌iPhone‌ 5.

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These updates can be downloaded on eligible devices over-the-air through the Settings app. To access the software, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Apple released these older software updates to address an issue that could impact GPS location performance and lead to the system date and time being incorrect. In a support document, Apple says that starting in November 2019, some ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ models introduced in 2012 and earlier will require this update to maintain an accurate GPS location due to the GPS time rollover issue that began affecting GPS-enabled products from other manufacturers on April 6, 2019.

Apple recommends all users with eligible devices install the new updates. Apple devices won't be affected until November 3, 2019, so there should be plenty of time for users with affected iPhones and iPads to install the new software.

According to Apple, those who don't update to the new version of iOS by November 3 might see their iPhones and iPads failing to maintain an accurate GPS position, and features that rely on correct date and time, like syncing with iCloud and fetching email, might not work.

Top Rated Comments

I7guy Avatar
81 months ago
Wow, support for an iPad 2, after 8 years. That’s amazzzzzzing. Seriously.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Homme Avatar
81 months ago
You should be able to update to 10.3.4. One cannot jump 2 versions on the device itself.
Wrong

Even if the Air had iOS 9, or 8, or 7.0.3 and you do a software update via settings it will request you to download iOS 12
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
81 months ago
Ugh, I have an iPad Air (original) that I've kept on 10.x to run some older software. Now they've released an updated 10.x, but it sounds like I won't be able to get it because the iPad Air is capable of running 12.x.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
asv56kx3088 Avatar
82 months ago
('https://www.macrumors.com/2019/07/22/apple-releases-gps-bug-fix-older-iphones-ipads/')
The iOS 9.3.6 update is available for cellular models of the original iPad mini, the iPad 2, and the iPad 3, while iOS 10.3.4 is available for the cellular version of the iPad 4 and the iPhone 4.
Wait, are you sure?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
headsh0t95 Avatar
81 months ago
AppleTV3, AppleTV3(2013), iPhone 4S and anything newer got updates today - this has all way of a 0-day and not only the GPS updates since iPads without GPS got updates too. This no CVE is weird…
Only newer iPads without GPS got an update, the 12.4 update. That does actually contain security fixes.

The older ones are only for iPads with GPS. They say “no cve” because they only contain the GPS fix and nothing else.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thejadedmonkey Avatar
81 months ago
Very bad since iOS 12 is amazing on SE
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to, but then I have to explain to my 5 year old why her favorite games won't work anymore.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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