iPadOS 18 Rumored to Drop Support for These iPad Models

iPadOS 18 will drop support for iPad models equipped with the A10X Fusion chip, according to a post on X today from a private account with a proven track record of sharing build numbers for upcoming iOS and iPadOS updates.

iPad Air 5
This means that iPadOS 18 would not be compatible with the first-generation 10.5-inch iPad Pro or the second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro models released in 2017. It almost certainly means that iPadOS 18 would drop support for iPad models powered by the regular A10 Fusion chip too, including the sixth-generation and seventh-generation iPads.

The post was spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, and it has since been deleted. However, this was likely because the account prefers to keep a low profile, and many of its previously-deleted posts contained accurate information.

If this rumor is accurate, iPadOS 18 would be compatible with the following iPad models:

  • iPad Pro: 2018 and later
  • iPad Air: 2019 and later
  • iPad mini: 2019 and later
  • iPad: 2020 and later

Apple is expected to announce iPadOS 18 at its annual developers conference WWDC in June, and the update should be released to all users with a compatible iPad in September. So far, key new features rumored for the update include new generative AI functionality for Siri and more, and RCS support in the Messages app.

The same source also expects iOS 18 to be compatible with the same iPhone models as iOS 17.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Neutral)

Popular Stories

iOS 19 visionOS UI Elements

iOS 19 to Have Some of the 'Biggest' Design Changes in iPhone's History

Sunday March 16, 2025 10:35 am PDT by
Apple is planning some of the "biggest iOS and macOS redesigns in its history," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman reiterated that iOS 19 will have a visionOS-like design with more transparent interfaces:The new interfaces will adopt the design principles introduced in visionOS, the software for Apple's Vision Pro headset. That includes greater...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Max Rumors Allegedly Refer to 'iPhone 17 Ultra' Model

Friday March 14, 2025 7:56 am PDT by
If you've been following iPhone rumors over the last few years, you may remember reading reports that Apple flirted with the idea of introducing a super high-end "Ultra" model that would either replace its Pro Max device or sit above it in Apple's smartphone hirearchy. These reports appeared in the pre-launch iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 rumor cycles, but ultimately came to nothing. Now though, the...
Bent iPhone Air Feature

Apple Canned Larger iPhone 17 Air Model Over Fears of Bendgate 2.0

Monday March 17, 2025 4:07 am PDT by
Apple prototyped a larger ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air with a 6.9-inch display, but ultimately decided not to go ahead with the device because of fears that it could be susceptible to bending, according to a new report. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, writing in his latest Power On newsletter: When it first started work on the phone, it prototyped a device with a 6.9-inch screen — matching...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Apple's First Foldable iPhone Estimated to Cost Nearly Twice as Much as iPhone 16 Pro Max

Monday March 17, 2025 6:42 am PDT by
In an investor research note today with British bank Barclays, analyst Tim Long said Apple's first foldable iPhone could have a starting price in the $2,300 range in the United States, which would make it by far the most expensive iPhone model ever. If the first foldable iPhone starts at $2,299, that means it would cost nearly twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which starts at $1,199. ...
General iOS Mail Feature

iOS 18.3.2 Broke iCloud Mail Delivery

Monday March 17, 2025 3:31 pm PDT by
The iOS 18.3.2 update that Apple released last week appears to have broken iCloud Mail for some users. There are multiple complaints on Reddit and the MacRumors forums from users who say that iCloud Mail is not able to push new iCloud emails to their iPhones after the iOS 18.3.2 update. Affected users say that despite having the correct settings enabled, new iCloud emails are not showing up...
iPhone 17 Air Size Feature

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Start at $899 With Surprisingly Good Battery Life, Camera Control, and More

Sunday March 16, 2025 9:05 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared some new details about the rumored iPhone 17 Air. In his Power On newsletter, Gurman said he was told that the device may start at roughly $899 in the U.S., which means that it would occupy the same price point as the iPhone 16 Plus. This would make sense, as it has been widely rumored that the Air model will take over the Plus model's spot in the iPhone...
iphone 16 pro models 1

All Four iPhone 17 Models Rumored to Feature Upgraded 24-Megapixel Front Camera and More

Monday March 17, 2025 7:50 pm PDT by
All four iPhone 17 models launching later this year will feature an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera, according to analyst Jeff Pu. In a research note today with investment firm GF Securities, Pu shared a chart in which he reiterated that the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with a 24-megapixel front camera. By comparison, all four ...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro Already Rumored to Have Five New Features

Tuesday March 18, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around a year and a half away from launching, there are already some early rumors about the devices. Below, we recap some key iPhone 18 Pro rumors so far. Under-Screen Face ID In April 2023, display industry analyst Ross Young shared a roadmap showing that iPhone 17 Pro models would feature under-display Face ID. In May 2024, however, Young said ...

Top Rated Comments

abatabia Avatar
14 months ago
Given the state of iPadOS, this is not the end of the world. My still in use iPad Air 2, which I turn on once a week, is stuck on 15 and I hardly miss a thing.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
14 months ago
I really wish Apple was better at making sure a supported OS doesn't wreck a device's usability. I have an old iPad Mini 4, and kept updating it as long as it would allow. iPadOS 15 absolutely murdered it, and it's absurdly slow now. Up to some point (iPadOS 14 maybe?) it was still zippy and responsive. Still keep it around for the kid to watch cartoons, but it's not usable for much beyond that.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gloor Avatar
14 months ago
This is a better way to report, take notice Macrumors. As you can see, no need for 2 articles.

https://9to5mac.com/2024/02/27/ios-18-devices-rumor/

I think we would appreciate it more for the simplicity also.

Thank you


('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/27/ipados-18-compatible-ipads-rumor/')

iPadOS 18 will drop support for iPad models equipped with the A10X Fusion chip, according to a post on X today from a private account with a proven track record of sharing build numbers for upcoming iOS and iPadOS updates.



This means that iPadOS 18 would not be compatible with the first-generation 10.5-inch iPad Pro or the second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro models released in 2017. It almost certainly means that iPadOS 18 would drop support for iPad models powered by the regular A10 Fusion chip, including the sixth-generation and seventh-generation iPads.

The post was spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris ('https://twitter.com/aaronp613'), and it has since been deleted. However, this was likely because the account prefers to keep a low profile, and many of its previously-deleted posts contained accurate information.

If this rumor is accurate, iPadOS 18 would be compatible with the following iPad models:

* iPad Pro: 2018 and later
* iPad Air: 2019 and later
* iPad mini: 2019 and later
* iPad: 2020 and later

Apple is expected to announce iPadOS 18 at its annual developers conference WWDC in June, and the update should be released to all users with a compatible iPad in September. So far, key new features rumored for the update include new generative AI functionality for Siri and more ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/16/ios-18-slew-of-new-ai-features/'), and RCS support in the Messages app ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/11/16/apple-to-adopt-rcs-messaging-standard/').

The same source also expects iOS 18 to be compatible with the same iPhone models as iOS 17 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/27/ios-18-compatible-iphones-rumor/').

Article Link: iPadOS 18 Rumored to Drop Support for These iPad Models ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/27/ipados-18-compatible-ipads-rumor/')
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
14 months ago
Makes sense, the A10X was the last without a dedicated neural processing Unit.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ajisaputrarakasiwi Avatar
14 months ago
Me reading this using iPad Air 1
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kissmo1980 Avatar
14 months ago
I have the feeling iPad OS will be the same banana like it always has been with some AI.

While I am not complaining about the latest enhancements, it just feels like a Ferrari with and aggressive speed limitation applied (60mph/100hm/h top limit)

It could be so much more and it doesn't get enough love.
Amazing HW on an OK-ish OS....

Apple, please give us a propper OS for it ??
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)