Can I update the iOS on my iPad Air 2 if the software version shows as “up to date” in Settings?

An Air2 is capable of update to iPadOS 15.8.x; the Air2 fundamentally does not support iPadOS16 or later.

The iPad Air2 was announced almost ten years ago (October 2014). While Apple does not declare specific periods that updates can be expected, history demonstrates that you might reasonably anticipate update support being available for five to seven years from initial release of the iPad model. The Air2 received system software updates longer than any other preceding model.

While Apple might release an additional point security update for iPadOS 15 devices, these would be exceptional - and would likely mitigate a very specific security issue.

For information, here is a list of the highest version of iOS supported by the older models of iPad (for simplicity - “generations” are shortened to a number) that are restricted in their ability to be updated:

32-bit devices (obsolete)

iPad1 - iOS 5.1.1

iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 - iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models), iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular)

iPad4 - iOS 10.3.3 (WiFi Only), iOS 10.3.4 (WiFi & Cellular)

64-bit devices

iPad Air1*, iPad mini2 and iPad mini3* - iOS 12.5.7

iPad Air2, iPad mini4 - iPadOS 15.8.2

iPad5, iPad Pro (9.7"/12.9" first generation) - iPadOS 16.7.7

(*) obsolete

Newer models are all able to be updated to the current version - iPadOS 17.4.1

• iPad Pro 12.9" (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11" (1st generation and later)
• iPad Pro 10.5"
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad (6th generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)

Not to 16 or above. Nobody on these boards can say if Apple's going to update 15 again.

(252981)