iPad has been in the market for more than a decade, and since then, Apple has released more than two dozen various generations and models. Thus, if you bought your iPad (Pro, Air, or any model) long ago, it’s easy to forget how old it is.
Knowing your iPad’s model lets you know the amount of storage space you have left. At the same time, you would know the accessories to purchase for your device and how old it is.
Fortunately, figuring out how old your iPad (Pro, Air, or any model) is isn’t hard. If you’re unsure how to check it and its model and generation, read this simple guide to the last punctuation mark.
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How Do I Know What Generation My iPad Is?
The simplest way to determine your iPad’s age is by checking the back. Pick it up and look at the lower part of the back.
Locate the iPad label, and you’ll see a write-up that says Designed by Apple in California and assembled in China. Next to this text is the Model. The number beside the Model begins with an A.
Now, this number, alongside the A, is your model number. From the number, you can tell your iPad’s generation. Note down the number and visit this Apple page. Then select your iPad type from iPad, iPad mini, iPad Pro, and iPad Air. It will take you to your selected model, and you’ll see various iPad generations.
Check the generation that matches the A and first four numbers of your iPad’s model number.
All iPad generation
| IPad model | Year of Release | Internet capability | Model Number(s) |
| iPad | 2010 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + 3G | A1219 for Wi-Fi, A1337 for Wi-Fi + 3G |
| iPad 2 (2nd generation) | 2011 | Wi-Fi, GSM, CDMA | A1395 for Wi-Fi, A1396 for GSM, A1397 for CDMA |
| iPad (3rd generation) | Early 2012 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1416 for Wi-Fi, A1430 or A1403 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad (4th generation) | Late 2012 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1458 for Wi-Fi, A1459 or A1460 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad (5th generation) | 2017 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1822 for Wi-Fi, A1823 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad (6th generation) | 2018 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1893 for Wi-Fi, A1954 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad (7th generation) | 2019 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A2197 for Wi-Fi, A2200 or A2198 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad (8th generation) | 2020 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A2270 for Wi-Fi; A2428, A2429, or A2430 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad (9th generation) | 2021 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A2602 for Wi-Fi; A2603, A2604, or A2605 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
All iPad mini generation
| iPad model | Year of Release | Internet capability | Model Number(s) |
| iPad mini | 2012 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1432 for Wi-Fi, A1454 or A1455 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad mini 2 (2nd generation) | Late 2013 and early 2014 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular, Wi-Fi + Cellular (TD-LTE) | A1489 for Wi-Fi, A1490 for Wi-Fi + Cellular, A1491 for Wi-Fi + Cellular (TD-LTE) |
| iPad mini 3 (3rd generation) | Late 2014 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1599 for Wi-Fi, A1600 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad mini 4 (4th generation) | 2015 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1538 for Wi-Fi, A1550 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad mini 5 (5th generation) | 2019 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A2133 for Wi-Fi, A2124, A2125, or A2126 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad mini 6 (6th generation) | 2021 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A2567 for Wi-Fi, A2568 or A2569 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
All iPad Air generation
| iPad model | Year of Release | Internet capability | Model Number(s) |
| iPad Air | Late 2013 and early 2014 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular, Wi-Fi + Cellular (TD-LTE) | A1474 for Wi-Fi, A1475 for Wi-Fi + Cellular, A1476 for Wi-Fi + Cellular (TD-LTE) |
| iPad Air 2 (2nd generation) | Late 2014 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1566 for Wi-Fi, A1567 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad Air 3 (3rd generation) | 2019 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A2152 for Wi-Fi; A2123, A2153, or A2154 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad Air 4 (4th generation) | 2020 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A2316 for Wi-Fi; A2324, A2325, or A2072 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad Air 5 (5th generation) | 2022 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A2588 for Wi-Fi; A2589, or A2591 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
All iPad Pro generation
| iPad model | Year of Release | Internet capability | Model Number(s) |
| iPad Pro [12.9-inch] | 2015 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1584 for Wi-Fi, A1652 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad Pro [9.7-inch] | 2016 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1673 for Wi-Fi, A1674 or A1675 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad Pro [10.5-inch] | 2017 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1701 for Wi-Fi, A1709 or A1852 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad Pro [12.9-inch] (2nd generation) | 2017 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1670 for Wi-Fi, A1671 or A1821 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad Pro [11-inch] | 2018 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1980 for Wi-Fi; A2013, A1934, or A1979 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad Pro [12.9-inch] (3rd generation) | 2018 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A1876 for Wi-Fi; A2014, A1895, or A1983 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad Pro [11-inch] (2nd generation) | 2020 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A2228 for Wi-Fi; A2068, A2230, or A2231 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad Pro [12.9-inch] (4th generation) | 2020 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular | A2229 for Wi-Fi; A2069, A2232, or A2233 for Wi-Fi + Cellular |
| iPad Pro [11-inch] (3rd generation) | 2021 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular, Wi-Fi + Cellular with mmWave 5G | A2377 for Wi-Fi; A2459 or A2460 for Wi-Fi + Cellular; A2301 for Wi-Fi + Cellular with mmWave 5G |
| iPad Pro [12.9-inch] (5th generation) | 2021 | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + Cellular, Wi-Fi + Cellular with mmWave 5G | A2378 for Wi-Fi; A2461 or A2462 for Wi-Fi + Cellular; A2379 for Wi-Fi + Cellular with mmWave 5G |
How Old Is My iPad?
Your iPad’s age will determine the generation it falls into. It will let you know whether your iPad is eligible when Apple releases an accessory or update for specific generations or models.
But if it’s been a while since you bought your iPad, it may not be eligible anymore. However, it doesn’t make your iPad worthless.
You can do many things with your iPad if it doesn’t receive updates from Apple anymore. This includes using it as an eBook reader or streaming and watching your favorite shows.
So before wondering what to do if your iPad doesn’t receive updates from Apple, find out how old it is.
There are three ways to know how old your iPad is: serial number, Settings app, and model number. Below is an elaboration on the methods to follow.
Using Settings App
One primary way to know the age of your iPad is by checking your Settings app. The exciting thing about this method is that it’s straightforward; it doesn’t require any third-party app.
All you require to use this method is your iPad and navigate your Settings app.
Below are the steps to check your iPad’s age.
- On your iPad’s home screen, click on the Settings app. If you use an iPad 3 or later, tell Siri to open it.
- Tap on General.
- Choose Legal & Regulatory.
- Scroll down; you’ll find the date you bought your iPad (in the format YYYY-MM-DD).
Boom! That’s how to check how old your iPad mini, Pro, Air, etc.
Using the Serial Number
If your iPad is not turned on, or you don’t want to use the first method, you can still check how old it is using the serial number. You will always see the serial number on the rear side of your iPad, its receipt, the Settings app, and its packaging.
Follow these instructions to find out how old your iPad is using the serial number.
- To check your iPad’s serial number using the Settings app, navigate to Settings → General → About. Then, you’ll see the serial number among the options.
- Visit Apple’s Coverage website and enter the iPad serial number in the search box.
- It will show the result, and you’ll see information about your iPad.
Note: The date you see on the Apple Coverage website after entering your iPad serial number is the year Apple first launched your iPad model.
Using Your iPad Model Number
Usually, people identify an iPad by its common names—iPad 5th generation, iPad 6th generation, etc. But you can also differentiate it with its model number.
However, the model number is quite long, so people often don’t memorize it. And knowing the model number of your iPad can enable you to find information about it, including how old it is, on Apple’s website.
To know your iPad’s age using the model number, do these:
- Go to your iPad’s home screen, tap the Settings app or tell Siri to open it.
- In the Settings app, tap General among the options.
- Click on About to see the model number.
- Copy the model number and head to the Apple Coverage website to search for your model number.
- After searching, you will see information about your iPad.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the essential information about your iPad, including how old it is, is valuable. This simple guide shows that it’s easy to check how old your iPad (mini, Air, and Pro) is.
Also, with the various methods for checking it, you shouldn’t have an excuse not to know your iPad’s age.
FAQs
The standard lifespan for an iPad is five years.
Its performance will likely deteriorate. You may also notice unresponsive buttons, crashed apps, poor battery life, and low storage.
The following iPads cannot be updated beyond iOS 9.3—iPad 2, iPad 3, and iPad Mini.
We suggest you replace your iPad every three years to stay up-to-date with the speed, security features, and memory size required to run all programs.
You can do the following:
give it to your kids.
use it as a remote control.
mount it in your car.
use it as a second monitor.
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