It would be interesting to know how often Apple systems get attacked. Then one could make a risk assessment about going "naked". I bet they get attacked a lot more than most people would think. I tend to agree with cupcake2000. If security updates are irrelevant then why would Apple release them? The other side of it is how likely is an iPad with a security flaw going to be exploited? I dunno. See above.
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iPad 2017 iPad Pro cellular; no iOS updates. Time to replace?
- Thread starter Cobalt50
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You'd have WiFi position approximation.
I wrote this back in 2021:
I tested with my WiFi-only 2021 12.9 Pro & cellular Mini 6, driving around a dense residential area with Google maps. As expected, the Mini 6 with GPS was right on. The 12.9 tracking was not very good, often off by a couple of hundred feet and with very erratic position updates. I tried both tethered to my 12 Pro Max and untethered - didn't make any difference in position accuracy.
I think almost definitely extremely rarely. Certainly if you personally don’t actually do something to help the attacker (dodgy apps, weak network security, other generally bad system security practices). Zero day attacks are about the only risk in reality, as long as the user has a modicum of common sense. But that’s exactly what these security updates fix. Zero day attacks tend to be highly targeted. As I said before - it’s not particularly likely. But the risk is there and the risk is real. If you never connect your device to the internet, it’s irrelevant. If you do then it’s a potentially very serious risk. Anyone can do what they like, but it’s a risk that exists, which is why I don’t recommend heeding ‘off the cuff’ comments which suggest that’s it’s fine to run internet connected out of date operating systems.
The only attacks are social engineering ones, which generally target businesses, not individuals. And iPads are not the best device for them, but can theoretically be. Essentially a hacker knows who you are, pretends to be someone you trust, and ask you to connect your device to a PC or Mac or to download some specific software that can take advantage of the vulnerability and ask you to say yes to every authorization request. That's the same process you use to sideload stuff on unpatched devices and to jailbreak them. I could install Windows 11 on my 16GB M1 iPad pro thanks to this. No longer possible, if I update, it won't work anymore.
If you use the iPad just to run regular apps, watching videos etc your risk is essentially non existant because of the closed nature of the OS. That's doesn't mean that Apple should stop patching vulnerabilities. So far however, in the history of iPads those vulnerability has served more to remove limitations of iOS/iPadOS than for hacking attacks. Hackers don't target iPads because they know how hard it is and that they need to target very dumb people to succeed.
iOS is not as indestructible as you seem to think, and definitely it’s not if it’s not updated properly.
Victims are also not as stupid as you seem to think. Obviously the email from the Nigerian prince notwithstanding, there are very sophisticated attacks which can inject code via ways you seem to be unable to comprehend.
That’s why they fix zero days exploits.
That’s why critical security updates automatically installing is a thing. That’s why they have an actual lockdown mode to further secure iOS.
As I said, it tends to be targeted, but who’s to say who the target is, and who’s to say who has the exploit and why they want to use it and against whom.
The absolute fact of the matter is, if one uses an out of date operating system, one is at risk, even if one doesn’t think they are.
I don’t think anyone saying that it’s ok to run out of date operating systems should be listened to with any seriousness. Sure, it’s up to you or anyone how systems and networks are run and secured, but it’s without a doubt, bad advice to suggest that it’s ‘nothing’.
is there something I’m missing here?
I’m not seeing why you need to replace it.
Is there something you want to do that it can no longer do?
If the Mini form factor would suit your uses (you mention navigation) you might consider the 6th Gen Mini instead. It should be available Apple Certified Refurbished and is the latest mini that accepts a physical sim if that is important to you. You could keep your Pro to use alongside for uses where the lack of updates won’t be an issue (YouTube etc.)
In my country the 256GB mini 6 cellular is 60 less than the mini 7 128GB cellular.
In my country the 256GB mini 6 cellular is 60 less than the mini 7 128GB cellular.
I am not entering in an endless debate, I was not even replying to you, I have explained my points, but let's agree to disagree.
There’s no debate. It’s researchable freely available information, you can even find information of such vulnerabilities on apples own website. I’m not sure why you’re insisting it’s fine to ignore.
For example, a recent Zero days, in the wild, which can open doors to arbitrary code execution.
About the security content of iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1 – Apple Support (UK)
This document describes the security content of iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1.
Multiple Vulnerabilities in Apple Products Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution
No. 2024-121Date: 10/29/2024
Perhaps not. But maybe the OP would be. Trying to convince anyone it’s nothing or is safe to ignore is disingenuous at the least.
Good eye! Works fine right now. Who knows when Apple will stop security updates? I'm guessing in one year. Right now my iPad has about $100 value. In a year I doubt that will be true. So I feel a little pressure to do something now to take advantage of that value. But in a year I suppose most used iPads will be cheaper too so I guess it is a wash.
Thanks for the suggestion. I've considered this and my short answer is that with the relatively minimal difference in price it seems cost effective to just buy the mini7 128 cellular. But I'm balking at that cost.
The relevance of me bringing up 12.5.7 is that it covered devices as old as 10 years (iPhone 5s) at the time of release date of the patch. That patch was released specifically to address actively exploited vulnerabilities that Apple acknowledged were critical to be addressed on devices still being used but were no longer being actively supported by periodic updates.
Personally my old unsupported devices are no longer used for things like online banking and shopping but I will continue using them for non-critical purposes like streaming content consumption. I think people should just be aware of the heightened security risks and plan accordingly.
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I’ve used one for the last 3 years and it’s never skipped a beat, and I’ve thrown hundred-square meter Lidar scans and detailed CAD models at it. It plays all the top games, has the helpful AI rewriting feature and ProMotion. You might find you use the display output as well. If you only need a straightforward desktop it does a good job.
I went to the local Apple store today to check out how maps render on the Mini 7. It's all a little small for my tastes. However, while there, I did engage an Apple sales guy about my iPad and my concerns. He told me that if I were in government or some such that he might recommend an upgrade. But he said for a regular guy to do regular things to just use the iPad until it stops working. I pressed him on that and he was quite sure about that. So that is probably what I am going to do.
It’s nice to see that some staffers do answer questions genuinely rather than simply trying to sell something.
If the 11th Gen comes and meets your needs, then you could pick one up, reassured that you can upgrade because you want to and not because you have to.
The 10th Gen currently has the same RAM as your Pro, so the 11th may be the time that it overtakes it (but you would lose Promotion and Quad Speakers for sure and likely the laminated display too.)
I too had the first generation iPad Pro which stopped receiving iOS updates. However, unlike you, the iPad is my primary at-home mobile device, in use constantly. Not wanting to subject myself to potential risks from not receiving security updates, I upgraded to the latest iPad Pro. I have no regrets. In addition to peace of mind, the new iPad is noticeably faster, has a better display, and also receives all app updates. I received a $100 trade-in.
I've had mostly positive experiences at my Apple store. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to use this iPad until it conks out. When the time comes I'll probably get a used Pro.
It looks like for your use case you did the right thing. My iPad can lay around for months without being touched although lately I use it daily as a timer. But when I take long road trips I find the map and camping apps invaluable. I think what I have will do that for a long time.