How to Update Your iPad (Safely and for Free)

Updating your iPad is free, takes about 20 to 40 minutes, and is the single most important thing you can do to keep it safe from hackers and working smoothly. An update is new software from Apple that fixes security holes and bugs, much like a car getting a safety recall sorted out. Your photos, apps, and messages all stay exactly where they are. Nothing is deleted.

The iPad will tell you when an update is ready with a small red dot on the Settings icon. You do not have to rush, but you should not ignore it for months either, because older software is what criminals look for. The steps below walk you through doing it yourself with confidence.

Why updates matter so much

Most updates close security gaps that have been discovered since the last version. When Apple finds a weakness that could let someone steal your information, it releases a fix, and your iPad only gets that protection once you install it. Running an out-of-date iPad is like leaving a window unlatched after the locksmith has already offered you a better lock.

Updates also fix everyday annoyances, such as an app that crashes or a battery that drains too fast. Now and then they add useful new features, like bigger text options or improvements to FaceTime. There is rarely a downside to updating once a version has been out for a week or two.

Get ready before you start

Three quick checks make the update go smoothly. First, plug the iPad into its charger, because an update can use a lot of battery and you do not want it stopping halfway. Second, connect to your home Wi-Fi, since updates are large files and using Wi-Fi means no data charges. Third, set aside time when you do not need the iPad, as it will be busy for half an hour or so.

It is also wise to make sure your important things are backed up first, though for most people this happens automatically through iCloud. A backup is a safety copy stored online. You can check it is on in Settings by tapping your name at the very top, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup.

Updating step by step

The whole process lives in the Settings app, the grey gear icon on your home screen. You will tap your way to Software Update and then tap one button to begin. The iPad does the rest by itself, including restarting once or twice, which is normal.

1. Tap the grey Settings icon to open it.
2. Tap General in the list on the left.
3. Tap Software Update near the top of the right side.
4. Wait a moment while it checks, then tap Download and Install.
5. Type your passcode if asked, and tap Agree to the terms.
6. Leave the iPad plugged in and let it finish. The screen may go black and show a progress bar.

When it is done, the iPad shows your home screen as usual and everything is in its place. If it asks you to confirm a few settings afterwards, simply tap Continue through them. You cannot pick a wrong answer that causes harm.

Turning on automatic updates

You can let the iPad update itself overnight so you never have to think about it. On the same Software Update screen, tap Automatic Updates, then switch on Download iPadOS Updates and Install iPadOS Updates. From then on, the iPad updates while you sleep, as long as it is plugged in and on Wi-Fi.

This is the easiest choice for most people, because it means you are always protected without remembering to check. If you prefer to stay in control and update by hand, leave these switches off and watch for the red dot on Settings instead. Either approach keeps you safe as long as you do not let updates pile up for months.

If the update will not work

A very old iPad may eventually stop receiving new updates because the hardware is too old to run them. That is not a fault and it does not mean the iPad is dead. It simply means you are on the last version Apple made for that model. When that day comes, it is worth thinking about a newer iPad, but a working one can serve you for years past that point.

The difference between iPad and app updates

There are two kinds of update, and it helps to know which is which. The Software Update described above changes the iPad itself, the underlying system that everything runs on. Separately, each individual app, such as your weather app or your bank's app, gets its own smaller updates that fix that one app. These come from the App Store, not from Settings.

App updates usually happen quietly in the background, so most people never have to think about them. If you want to update an app by hand, open the App Store, tap your round photo or initials at the top right, and scroll down to see any apps with updates waiting. Tap Update beside one, or Update All to do every waiting app at once. These are free as well.

Keeping both kinds current matters for the same reason: an out-of-date app can have its own security gaps, even on a fully updated iPad. The good news is that you can let both update automatically and never give either a second thought. The iPad and the App Store will quietly keep everything current while you sleep, which is the simplest path of all for anyone who would rather not fuss with it. Set it once and you are protected without lifting a finger again.

How often to update

Apple releases several updates a year, and a few of them are small security fixes that are worth installing soon after they appear. Checking once a month is plenty if you update by hand. With automatic updates switched on, you need not check at all, since the iPad handles it for you.

The habit to build is simple: when you see the red dot on Settings, plug the iPad in that evening and let it update. Five minutes of your attention keeps the device secure and running well. It is the cheapest insurance your iPad will ever get, and it never costs a penny.