The iPad (6th generation) and iPad (7th generation) have both reached end-of-life, but neither's final build is stated anywhere on this site's main iPad guide — it lists their identifiers but stops there. Here is exactly which iPadOS build applies to each.
For the identifier system used across every current iPad, see iPad Firmware: IPSW Downloads for Every iPad Model. Both generations covered here are already listed in that guide's numbered-models table, but without final-build data.
Direct Answer: The iPad (6th generation) tops out at iPadOS 17.7.11 (build 21H461). The iPad (7th generation) goes one version further, ending at iPadOS 18.7.10 (build 22H374). Both are final and unlikely to change.
iPad (6th Generation) Model Identifiers
| Model identifier | Configuration | Final iPadOS | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad7,5 | Wi-Fi | iPadOS 17.7.11 (21H461) | iPad7,5 firmware |
| iPad7,6 | Wi-Fi + Cellular | iPadOS 17.7.11 (21H461) | iPad7,6 firmware |
iPad (7th Generation) Model Identifiers
| Model identifier | Configuration | Final iPadOS | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad7,11 | Wi-Fi | iPadOS 18.7.10 (22H374) | iPad7,11 firmware |
| iPad7,12 | Wi-Fi + Cellular | iPadOS 18.7.10 (22H374) | iPad7,12 firmware |
Confirm your identifier at Settings → General → About → Model Number. Unlike the iPad 2/3/4 generations, Wi-Fi and cellular models within each of these generations share the same final build — there's no split here.
Telling the Two Generations Apart
Both shipped as simply "iPad" with no generation number on the box, sold about a year apart (2018 and 2019), and look nearly identical externally. The model identifier is the only reliable way to distinguish them: iPad7,5 / iPad7,6 is the 6th generation, while iPad7,11 / iPad7,12 is the 7th generation. If your device shows an iPad7,11 or iPad7,12 identifier, it can run one iPadOS version higher than a 6th-gen device — the 7th gen added a larger 10.2" display and a Smart Connector, not a new chip, but that revision was enough for Apple to extend its support window by one version.
What EOL Means for These Devices
- No further major versions: the 6th gen will never run iPadOS 18 or later; the 7th gen will never run iPadOS 19 or later.
- Security patching has ended: unlike iPads still on active security-patch branches (iPadOS 26.x for current devices), these final builds are themselves the end of the line — no further point releases are coming.
- App compatibility narrows going forward: as developers raise minimum iPadOS requirements past 17 and 18, an increasing share of current apps will stop installing or updating on these devices.
- Both remain functional for core use: Safari, Mail, and most productivity apps continue to work; the practical limit is newer apps with higher minimum-version requirements.
Currently Signed Builds (Verify Live)
Because both generations reached end-of-life, their final builds have remained the only signed option and are unlikely to change. Confirm current status on your identifier's device page before restoring — see how to check IPSW signing status.
Restoring an iPad 6 or iPad 7 Using an IPSW File
- Back up any data you need — restoring erases the device.
- Download the IPSW matching your exact identifier (iPad7,5/6 for 6th gen, or iPad7,11/12 for 7th gen). Confirm it is signed.
- Disable Find My iPad: Settings → [Your Name] → Find My → Find My iPad → Off.
- Connect the iPad to a Mac or PC via Lightning cable.
- Open Finder (recent macOS), Apple Devices, or iTunes and select the iPad.
- Hold Option (Mac) or Shift (Windows), click Restore iPad, and select the downloaded IPSW file.
If the device gets stuck during restore, see Boot Loop Fix: Recover Without Losing Data for DFU-mode recovery steps — the same DFU process applies to iPad.
For the full range of iPad models and their identifiers, see iPad Firmware: IPSW Downloads for Every iPad Model. You can also browse every model from the iPad firmware page.
FAQ
What is the last iPadOS version for the iPad (6th generation)?
iPadOS 17.7.11 (build 21H461), the same final build for both the Wi-Fi (iPad7,5) and Wi-Fi + Cellular (iPad7,6) models.
What is the last iPadOS version for the iPad (7th generation)?
iPadOS 18.7.10 (build 22H374), the same final build for both the Wi-Fi (iPad7,11) and Wi-Fi + Cellular (iPad7,12) models.
How do I tell my iPad 6 apart from an iPad 7? They look almost identical.
Check the model identifier at Settings → General → About → Model Number. iPad7,5 / iPad7,6 is the 6th generation. iPad7,11 / iPad7,12 is the 7th generation. The 7th gen has a slightly larger 10.2" screen and a Smart Connector on the side, but the identifier is the only certain way to distinguish them.
Can I install iPadOS 18 on an iPad (6th generation)?
No. The 6th generation is not supported by iPadOS 18 or any later version. This is a permanent limitation, not something a restore or update can change.
Are the iPad 6 and iPad 7 still useful in 2026?
For core tasks — browsing, email, note-taking, most productivity apps — yes. The practical constraint is newer apps that require iPadOS versions beyond what these generations can run.
