iPad Pro Can someone help me understand why I can no longer update my iPad

[AthenaNoctua]

To start with I'll say I'm in the UK and I have no choice but to use wifi broadband as landline broadband isn't an option where I live. I'm paying for what I'm told is a "truly unlimited" data contract with EE (4G only no 5G here - I'm in the middle of nowhere). Replacing the iPad - as much as I would love to - isn't an option financially at the moment.

I've not been able to update it since iPadOS 16.1. I have no issues installing macOS updates (which are often a similar size to iPadOS updates).

My phone is a Galaxy S23+, running whatever the latest version of Android is (I only updated it a few days ago). I have no issues updating Android, either - the only issue is my iPad.

I can't remember when I started noticing the 'do you want to use data or wait for wifi?' prompts when downloading from the App Store - but I get them now when I attempt to download updates/apps larger than about 100MB. I tap 'use data' and whatever I'm downloading downloads.

I get them on my phone when I update from the Play Store - and I also get one when I update Android, but I tap 'use data' and the download proceeds.

However the same thing DOES NOT occur on my iPad (I received a prompt once - tapped 'use data' and the update immediately paused and never resumed. Now it just pauses immediately).

I can't get any sense out of EE - but I don't understand what's changed - because something obviously has. I'm autistic and I'm becoming really, REALLY frustrated by this now.

I have checked on my iPad and on my phone and 'low data mode' is most definitely OFF on both (if it wasn't off on my phone, then I wouldn't be able to update macOS either presumably).

EE is insistent that they've changed NOTHING - and I've changed nothing (at least not wittingly). I DO NOT have a VPN. What concerns me is why - when EE refers to my contract as 'mobile broadband' - are my phone and iPad acting like I'm using metered data (which EE insists I'm not)...?

Replacing the iPad isn't an option but, obviously, I do need to update it. I even registered for the 17 public beta to see if that would fool it - nope (the first time I attempted to download 17 was the only time I've ever seen the 'do you want to download using data or wait for wifi?' message when attempting to update my iPad.

This has been escalated to second tier support at EE and they're STILL clueless. Oh and just in case it means anything I have been living here now since the beginning of February so, obviously, I have been able to update my iPad twice (I think) since moving here (not through my choice I hasten to add).

Can anyone here help...?

Thank you

 

[mectojic]

Why not take the iPad to Apple, rather than try resolving a potential hardware issue with EE? Maybe Apple could offer a replacement device if the fault is theirs.

 

[iStorm]

Any particular reason why you don't upgrade your iPad via Finder/iTunes on your Mac? Or go to a place with free public Wi-Fi, like a library?

I know it doesn't exactly solve your problem over cellular, but perhaps it's a bug in 16.1 that won't get resolved until it gets upgraded via some other method.

 

[JayKay514]

That's an awful situation!

To help diagnose the issue further, could you tell us:

• what version of iPad you have;
• what the current OS is;
• the amount of free space noted in the Storage tab under Settings?

Older iPads may not be supported past a certain OS version.

Am I correct in assuming the iPad connects to EE directly via cellular, vs. having a home wifi router that connects to wireless broadband?

 

[chrfr]

To start with I'll say I'm in the UK and I have no choice but to use wifi broadband as landline broadband isn't an option where I live. I'm paying for what I'm told is a "truly unlimited" data contract with EE (4G only no 5G here - I'm in the middle of nowhere). Replacing the iPad - as much as I would love to - isn't an option financially at the moment.

I've not been able to update it since iPadOS 16.1. I have no issues installing macOS updates (which are often a similar size to iPadOS updates).

I'm not really clear on how you're connected to the internet with the iPad. If you're trying to use the iPad's built-in cellular connection to do iPadOS updates, that's not going to work. For some reason, Apple requires the iPad to be on wifi or ethernet (with an adapter) to install operating system updates. The setting to allow app updates over cellular isn't related to this limitation.
If you have an Apple Store nearby, you can certainly use their wifi to install the updates, but their genius bar will be able to assist and may be able to get the update installed more quickly for you.

 

[iStorm]

I'm not really clear on how you're connected to the internet with the iPad. If you're trying to use the iPad's built-in cellular connection to do iPadOS updates, that's not going to work. For some reason, Apple requires the iPad to be on wifi or ethernet (with an adapter) to install operating system updates. The setting to allow app updates over cellular isn't related to this limitation.
If you have an Apple Store nearby, you can certainly use their wifi to install the updates, but their genius bar will be able to assist and may be able to get the update installed more quickly for you.

You can update iPhones and iPads over cellular now if you have 5G. But that's a good point...is the OP using 5G? If not, that would probably explain why it's not updating since it'd be waiting for a 5G connection.

Use 5G with your iPad – Apple Support (UK)

Find out how to use 5G mobile data service with your iPad.

support.apple.com

 

[rui no onna]

I know it doesn't exactly solve you problem over cellular, but perhaps it's a bug in 16.1 that won't get resolved until it gets upgraded via some other method.

Yep, this.

I just updated a 200MB app as well as installed the iOS rapid security 16.5.1(c) update on LTE (well AT&T's fake 5GE). It prompted if I wanted to use cellular but the updates went through.

By the way, if you have hotspot available on smartphone plan, you can tether your iPad temporarily just to update to the latest iOS version and see if that fixes things.

 

[MacCraig Pro]

That's an awful situation!

To help diagnose the issue further, could you tell us:

• what version of iPad you have;
• what the current OS is;
• the amount of free space noted in the Storage tab under Settings?

Older iPads may not be supported past a certain OS version.

Am I correct in assuming the iPad connects to EE directly via cellular, vs. having a home wifi router that connects to wireless broadband?

All iPad Pro’s currently support the latest iPad OS version. This will of course change when iPad OS 17 is released and leaves the original iPad Pro behind.

 

[chrfr]

You can update iPhones and iPads over cellular now if you have 5G. But that's a good point...is the OP using 5G? If not, that would probably explain why it's not updating since it'd be waiting for a 5G connection.

Oh yeah, I forgot that change. It's been a while since I've had a cellular iPad.

 

[Slartibart]

Make sure that you update your carrier settings.

 

[JayKay514]

All iPad Pro’s currently support the latest iPad OS version. This will of course change when iPad OS 17 is released and leaves the original iPad Pro behind.

Um, not sure how this responds to my response. The OP did not say anywhere what iPad model they had.

 

[rui no onna]

Um, not sure how this responds to my response. The OP did not say anywhere what iPad model they had.

OP's iPad is running is 16.1 though so it's safe to assume it will support 16.5.

The last iPads dropped were the Air 2 and mini 4 which stayed at 15.7. Granted, I believe they received a bunch of 15.7.x security only updates.

 

[MacCheetah3]

This \/ was gong to be my suggestion:

Any particular reason why you don't upgrade your iPad via Finder/iTunes on your Mac? Or go to a place with free public Wi-Fi, like a library?

I know it doesn't exactly solve your problem over cellular, but perhaps it's a bug in 16.1 that won't get resolved until it gets upgraded via some other method.

Here are Apple’s instructions:

Update your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with the Finder – Apple Support (UK)

Find out how to update your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS using your computer.

support.apple.com

 

[AppleFanatic10]

I'm not really clear on how you're connected to the internet with the iPad. If you're trying to use the iPad's built-in cellular connection to do iPadOS updates, that's not going to work. For some reason, Apple requires the iPad to be on wifi or ethernet (with an adapter) to install operating system updates. The setting to allow app updates over cellular isn't related to this limitation.
If you have an Apple Store nearby, you can certainly use their wifi to install the updates, but their genius bar will be able to assist and may be able to get the update installed more quickly for you.

I updated my iPad the other day when I had 5G.

 

[AdamHarbour]

No such thing as WiFi Broadband . You have mobile broadband with operates on 4g or 5g mobile network. this by nature of the mobile network will not be as constant or reliable as a home broadband. Delete your iPads WiFi connection and set up again !

 

[JayKay514]

No such thing as WiFi Broadband . You have mobile broadband with operates on 4g or 5g mobile network. this by nature of the mobile network will not be as constant or reliable as a home broadband. Delete your iPads WiFi connection and set up again !

They might have a wireless broadband home router, though. Those are fairly common in semi-rural areas where there is no cable or fiber infrastructure to bring wired internet to the home.

 

[MacCraig Pro]

Um, not sure how this responds to my response. The OP did not say anywhere what iPad model they had.

All iPad Pro’s support the latest OS and the tag on the post say’s iPad Pro. So your suggestion about older iPads not supporting later OSes is irrelevant for this post given they are all currently supported.