Quick answer
iPadOS 27 supports 23 iPads: the iPad (9th generation) and later, iPad mini (6th generation) and later, iPad Air (4th generation) and later, and iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) or 12.9-inch (4th generation) and later. Five A12-based iPads were dropped. Apple Intelligence needs an M-series chip or the A17 Pro.
Which iPads get iPadOS 27?
Every iPad with an A13 Bionic or newer, plus the 2020 iPad Pro with the A12Z, runs iPadOS 27. The current public release is iPadOS 27.0.1 (build 24A446), and the 27.2 beta is on its fourth build. The table lists all 23 supported models with their chip and whether Apple Intelligence is available.
iPad Pro
| Model | Chip | Apple Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) and 13-inch (M5) | M5 | Yes |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) and 13-inch (M4) | M4 | Yes |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) and 12.9-inch (6th generation) | M2 | Yes |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) and 12.9-inch (5th generation) | M1 | Yes |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) and 12.9-inch (4th generation) | A12Z Bionic | No |
iPad Air
| Model | Chip | Apple Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Air 11-inch (M4) and 13-inch (M4) | M4 | Yes |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M3) and 13-inch (M3) | M3 | Yes |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M2) and 13-inch (M2) | M2 | Yes |
| iPad Air (5th generation) | M1 | Yes |
| iPad Air (4th generation) | A14 Bionic | No |
iPad mini
| Model | Chip | Apple Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| iPad mini (A17 Pro) | A17 Pro | Yes |
| iPad mini (6th generation) | A15 Bionic | No |
iPad
| Model | Chip | Apple Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| iPad (A16) | A16 | No |
| iPad (10th generation) | A14 Bionic | No |
| iPad (9th generation) | A13 Bionic | No |
That makes 16 iPads with Apple Intelligence and 7 that run iPadOS 27 without it. Firmware for individual models, such as the iPad (A16) or the iPad (9th generation), is listed with live signing status in the IPSW download library.
Which iPads were dropped from iPadOS 27?
Five iPads that ran iPadOS 26 stop there. All of them use the A12 family of chips.
| Model | Chip | Last major version |
|---|---|---|
| iPad (8th generation) | A12 Bionic | iPadOS 26 |
| iPad Air (3rd generation) | A12 Bionic | iPadOS 26 |
| iPad mini (5th generation) | A12 Bionic | iPadOS 26 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) | A12X Bionic | iPadOS 26 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) | A12X Bionic | iPadOS 26 |
The cut is not purely by age. The iPad (9th generation) from 2021 stays, while the 2018 iPad Pro models with the A12X go. The 2020 iPad Pro with the A12Z also stays, so check the generation carefully if you own an older Pro.
How to check which iPad you have
The model name in Settings is the quickest way to match your iPad to the tables above.
- Open
Settings › General › About. - Read the Model Name line, for example iPad Air (5th generation).
- If you need the exact variant, tap Model Number to switch it to a number that starts with A.
Apple's support site lists every model number by generation if the name alone leaves you unsure.
Which iPads get Apple Intelligence on iPadOS 27?
Apple Intelligence needs an M1 chip or newer, or the A17 Pro. On iPad that means every iPad Pro from the M1 models onward, the iPad Air (5th generation) and every later Air, and the iPad mini (A17 Pro).
The standard iPad is the one most people get wrong. Even the newest model, the iPad (A16), does not support Apple Intelligence. The same goes for the iPad mini (6th generation), the iPad Air (4th generation) and the 2020 A12Z iPad Pro. These iPads still get iPadOS 27 itself and its security updates. If you are choosing an iPad for the AI features, compare models on our Apple Intelligence availability page first.
How to update a supported iPad to iPadOS 27
Supported iPads see iPadOS 27.0.1 as a normal software update.
- Back up the iPad to iCloud or a computer.
- Connect it to power and Wi-Fi.
- Open
Settings › General › Software Update. - Tap Update Now and enter your passcode.
- Leave the iPad charging until it restarts.
To test the 27.2 beta instead, sign in with your Apple Account, open Settings › General › Software Update › Beta Updates and pick the public or developer beta. Our iPadOS 27 beta download guide covers enrollment and the manual IPSW route.
What happens if your iPad isn't supported?
Nothing breaks. An iPad that stops at iPadOS 26 keeps working, keeps its apps and data, and stays signed in to iCloud. Apple is still releasing updates for those models: the five dropped iPads are currently offered iPadOS 26.7.1.
Over time, new app versions may require a newer system, and the iPad will stop receiving feature updates. If that matters for how you use it, our explainer on what happens when Apple stops supporting a device walks through the stages. It is written for iPhone, but the same pattern applies to iPad.
Can you go back from iPadOS 27 to iPadOS 26?
Yes, for now. Apple is signing iPadOS 26.6.1 RC (23G82) for iPads that run iPadOS 27. The restore erases the iPad, so you need a backup made on iPadOS 26 to get your data back. A backup made on iPadOS 27 will not restore onto the older version. The steps are the same as on iPhone and are in our downgrade guide.
What to do next
If your iPad is on the supported list, back it up and install iPadOS 27.0.1 from Settings. If you want to see what is coming in 27.2 before it ships, follow the iPadOS 27 beta installation guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which iPads are compatible with iPadOS 27?
iPadOS 27 runs on 23 iPads: the iPad (9th generation), iPad (10th generation) and iPad (A16); iPad mini (6th generation) and iPad mini (A17 Pro); iPad Air (4th generation) and newer, up to the M4 models; and iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) onwards, up to the M5 models.
Which iPads lost support in iPadOS 27?
Five iPads that ran iPadOS 26 do not get iPadOS 27: the iPad (8th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation). All five use the A12 Bionic or A12X Bionic. They stay on iPadOS 26, and Apple currently offers them iPadOS 26.7.1.
Does the iPad 9th generation get iPadOS 27?
Yes. The iPad (9th generation) from 2021, with the A13 Bionic, is the oldest standard iPad on the iPadOS 27 list. Our pre-launch list marked it as uncertain, but it made the cut. It does not get Apple Intelligence, which needs an M1 chip or newer or the A17 Pro. Update it through Settings › General › Software Update.
Which iPads support Apple Intelligence in iPadOS 27?
iPads with an M-series chip or the A17 Pro. That covers the iPad Pro from the M1 models onward, the iPad Air (5th generation) with M1 and every later iPad Air, and the iPad mini (A17 Pro). The iPad (A16), iPad (10th generation), iPad (9th generation), iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Air (4th generation) and the 2020 A12Z iPad Pro models run iPadOS 27 without it.
What is the latest version of iPadOS 27?
The latest public release is iPadOS 27.0.1, build 24A446, released on 28 September 2026. The latest beta is iPadOS 27.2 beta 4, build 24B5110a, released on 13 October 2026. You can join the beta for free with your Apple Account at Settings › General › Software Update › Beta Updates, but keep an archived backup in case you want to go back.
Can I downgrade my iPad from iPadOS 27 to iPadOS 26?
Yes, while Apple keeps signing the older version. For iPads that run iPadOS 27, Apple is signing iPadOS 26.6.1 RC (23G82). Restore it from a Mac with Finder or a Windows PC with the Apple Devices app, which erases the iPad, then restore a backup made before you updated. Backups created on iPadOS 27 cannot be restored onto iPadOS 26.