iPad 5th Generation (A1822/A1823): Release Date and Latest iPadOS

The iPad 5th generation is Apple's 2017 9.7-inch iPad, sold as model A1822 (Wi-Fi) or A1823 (Wi-Fi + Cellular). Apple released it in March 2017. Its latest software is iPadOS 16.7.16, issued on 11 May 2026, and it can't install iPadOS 17 or anything newer. It still handles calls, browsing, music and many family apps, but the YouTube, Netflix and BBC iPlayer apps no longer install on it.

This guide starts with identification: how to confirm the model number, when it came out and what it shipped with. Then it covers what the latest iPadOS for the iPad 5th gen means in practice, an app-by-app compatibility check, and when it makes sense to keep it, buy one refurbished or trade up.

iPad 5th generation: the short answers

• Model numbers: A1822 (Wi-Fi) and A1823 (Wi-Fi + Cellular).
• Release date: announced 21 March 2017; orders opened in the UK on 24 March 2017.
• Latest iPadOS: iPadOS 16, most recently iPadOS 16.7.16 (11 May 2026). No iPadOS 17, 18, 26 or 27.
• Apple Pencil: not supported.

Keep using it, or buy one, when: your apps still list iPadOS 16 or earlier, and the job is calls, Safari, music, Disney+ or children's apps.

Replace it, or choose a newer iPad, when: you need YouTube, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Microsoft Office or Google Classroom apps, or Apple Pencil.

Check before buying: the A-number on the back, the iPadOS version in Settings, and each app's Compatibility line in the App Store.

How do I know if my iPad is a 5th generation?

Look at the small print on the back cover: model number A1822 or A1823 means it's an iPad 5th generation. You can also open Settings, tap General, then About, and tap the part number next to Model Number. It switches to the A-number. Apple's identification page lists A1822 for Wi-Fi and A1823 for Wi-Fi + Cellular.

Apple's own Identify your iPad model page is the reference for every A-number. The steps in more detail:

1. Turn the iPad over and read the text near the bottom of the back cover. The model number starts with “A” and has four digits.
2. If the back is worn or covered by a case, go to Settings, then General, then About. Next to Model Number you'll see a part number. Tap it once to show the A-number.
3. Check the capacity on the same About screen. The iPad 5th generation was only made with 32GB or 128GB.

Several 9.7-inch iPads with a Home button look much alike, so the A-number is the reliable test. This table lists the lookalikes from Apple's identification page.

The iPad 6th generation is the easiest one to confuse with the 5th, because it keeps the same size and Home button. Its differences are inside: a newer chip, Apple Pencil support and iPadOS 17. Our page on the iPad 6th generation release date, iOS and Apple Pencil support covers that model in the same way.

What is model A1822?

A1822 is the model number of the iPad 5th generation Wi-Fi, Apple's 9.7-inch iPad from 2017, made with 32GB or 128GB of storage. It has no SIM tray. Its latest software is iPadOS 16.7.16, so a model A1822 iPad can't run iPadOS 17 or later, and apps that require iPadOS 17 won't install on it.

What is iPad model A1823?

A1823 is the iPad 5th generation Wi-Fi + Cellular. It's the same 2017 9.7-inch iPad as the A1822, with a nano-SIM tray on the right-hand side, 4G LTE mobile data and Assisted GPS. Software support is identical, so an iPad A1823 also stops at iPadOS 16 and receives only the occasional iPadOS 16.7 fix.

When was the iPad 5th generation released?

Apple announced the iPad 5th generation on 21 March 2017 and opened orders on Friday 24 March 2017, with the UK in the first group of countries. Deliveries and Apple Store availability followed the next week. That's why the iPad 5th gen release date is usually given as March 2017, and why it's often called the iPad (2017).

Apple's UK launch prices were £339 for the 32GB Wi-Fi model and £469 for the 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model. A refurbished 32GB Wi-Fi model in Very Good condition now costs £69.00 at The Tech Gadgets (checked 5 October 2026), which is £270.00 less than that launch price (£339.00 − £69.00).

What year is the iPad 5th generation?

The 5th generation iPad year is 2017; Apple's identification page lists it simply as “Year: 2017”. It was the standard iPad until the iPad 6th generation arrived in March 2018. If a listing calls an iPad a “2017 iPad” or a “9.7-inch iPad 2017”, check the A-number, because the iPad Pro 9.7-inch (2016) and the 6th generation (2018) share that screen size.

iPad 5th generation specs

This table summarises Apple's technical specifications for the iPad (5th generation), which describe the tablet when new.

When new, Apple's box held the iPad, a Lightning to USB cable and a USB power adapter. Refurbished units are usually sold differently; ours come with a charging cable but no power adapter. Apple doesn't publish the amount of RAM. For a fuller hardware breakdown, Apple's iPad (5th generation) technical specifications page lists every feature.

What is the latest iOS for the iPad 5th generation?

The iPad 5th gen latest iOS version is iPadOS 16, and the newest release is iPadOS 16.7.16, issued on 11 May 2026 with bug fixes and security updates. Apple's iPadOS 17 starts at the iPad 6th generation, so the 5th gen can't run iPadOS 17, 18, 26 or the current iPadOS 27, released on 14 September 2026.

Apple calls the iPad's software iPadOS, so a search for “iPad 5 gen iOS” leads to the same answer. Since iPadOS 17 launched, Apple has kept releasing small iPadOS 16.7 updates for this model. The most recent ones, from Apple's security releases list and its iPadOS 16 update notes, are below.

These updates fix problems; they don't add iPadOS 17 features. Apple doesn't publish an end date for them, so the honest description is that the iPad 5th generation has received security updates as recently as May 2026, not that support is promised to any particular date.

How do I update an iPad 5th generation to iPadOS 16.7.16?

Back it up to iCloud or a computer, plug it in to charge, and connect to Wi-Fi. Then open Settings, tap General, then Software Update, and install what's offered. Your current version appears in Settings, then General, then About. If it already shows iPadOS 16.7.16 and nothing new is offered, the iPad is fully up to date for its generation.

Is an iPad on iPadOS 16 still safe to use?

For everyday use at home, it's reasonable as long as you install every iPadOS 16.7 update Apple releases and get apps only from the App Store. The risk grows over time, because older versions get fixes less often than current ones and Apple gives no end date. If the iPad will hold work data, a model on a current iPadOS is the safer choice.

Which apps still work on an iPad 5th generation?

Apps whose minimum is iPadOS 16 or earlier install normally; apps that require iPadOS 17 or later don't. As of 5 October 2026, per the UK App Store, WhatsApp, Zoom, Disney+, Spotify, YouTube Kids, Roblox, Minecraft and the main UK bank apps install, while YouTube, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom don't.

The first table lists apps whose UK App Store listing required iPadOS 16 or earlier on 5 October 2026, so they install on an iPad 5th generation.

The second table lists apps that needed a newer iPadOS on the same date, so the current versions won't install.

Monzo's listing showed iPhone only, so don't count on it for an iPad of any age. To check any other app, open the App Store on the iPad, search for it, and look at Compatibility in the Information section. Minimums change whenever developers update their apps, so check on the day you buy. The App Store may offer an older “last compatible version” of an app if the developer has left one available, but that isn't guaranteed, and an old version can stop working with its service.

When should you replace an iPad 5th generation?

Replace it when an app you depend on won't install or stops updating, when a school or employer needs a newer iPadOS, when the battery no longer lasts through your normal day, or when you want Apple Pencil. If it still runs everything you use and you keep it on iPadOS 16.7.16, there's no reason to replace it yet.

What still works well on the iPad 5th generation is broader than the app tables suggest. Apple's built-in apps, including Safari, FaceTime, Messages, Photos, Camera, Notes, Music and Apple Books, update with iPadOS 16 and keep working. The 9.7-inch Retina screen is sharp for reading and recipes, the stereo speakers suit video in the kitchen, and the headphone jack means any wired headphones plug straight in. As a photo frame, a music controller or a child's games tablet with compatible apps, it still does a good job.

The weak spots are the ones that cost money to fix. A household that streams mainly through Netflix, YouTube or BBC iPlayer apps will hit the limit every evening. A student whose school uses Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams can't install those apps. And no amount of tidying storage will add Apple Pencil support, which Apple never offered on this model.

Which newer refurbished iPad should you trade up to?

If you're replacing an iPad 5th generation for app support, the iPad 9th generation is the safest step, because it's the only one of the home-button iPads that runs the current iPadOS 27. It costs from £164.00 for 64GB in Very Good condition (checked 5 October 2026). The 6th and 8th generations are cheaper but already frozen on older versions.

This table compares the trade-up options sold refurbished at The Tech Gadgets, using the cheapest Very Good Wi-Fi option checked on 5 October 2026.

The maths against a £69.00 Very Good 5th generation: the 6th generation is £5.00 more (£74.00 − £69.00), the 8th generation £30.00 more (£99.00 − £69.00) and the 9th generation £95.00 more (£164.00 − £69.00). None of them supports Apple Intelligence. The iPad 9th generation buying guide explains its grades and the 64GB versus 256GB choice, and you can compare every option among the tablets in stock. If you'd rather move to an all-screen iPad with USB-C, our guide to the refurbished iPad 10th generation covers that step.

Buying a refurbished iPad 5th generation today

If your apps are on the compatible list, a refurbished iPad 5th generation is the cheapest way into an iPad. The refurbished A1822 Wi-Fi model starts at £69.00 for Very Good 32GB, with 128GB from £84.00. The A1823 Wi-Fi + Cellular listing starts at £84.00, with 128GB from £104.00 (all checked 5 October 2026). Every option is over £50, so standard delivery is free.

These are refurbished UK stock, refurbished by The Tech Gadgets and graded Like New, Excellent or Very Good. The listing describes the grades as cosmetic only: Like New shows little or no sign of use, Excellent may have light marks and Very Good may have visible marks that do not affect use. It also states at least 85% battery health at dispatch. Each iPad comes with a 12-month warranty from The Tech Gadgets, starting on delivery, covering faults that develop in normal use (not accidental or liquid damage); see the warranty and returns terms. The warranty policy lists battery defects and reduced capacity as exclusions, but the Consumer Rights Act 30-day right to reject still applies. Orders placed by 3pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day from Manchester.

For grade and storage maths, Wi-Fi versus Cellular, and who should skip this model, read our refurbished iPad 5th generation buying guide.

What to check when it arrives

• The A-number on the back or in Settings, then General, then About: A1822 or A1823, matching your order.
• The Hello setup screen on first start. An “iPad Locked to Owner” screen means Activation Lock is still on; contact the team before going further.
• The software version, updated to iPadOS 16.7.16 or later through Software Update.
• Touch ID, cameras, speakers, headphone jack, Wi-Fi and charging; on an A1823, mobile data with your nano-SIM.

Many of the same steps appear in our checklist for any second-hand Apple device, which was written for iPhone but carries over to iPad.

iPad 5th generation: more questions

Which generation is an A1822 iPad?

An A1822 iPad is the iPad (5th generation), the Wi-Fi-only version released in 2017. If the back says A1823 instead, it's the same generation with Wi-Fi + Cellular. Numbers close to these belong to different iPads: A1893 and A1954 are the 6th generation, and A1673 to A1675 are the 2016 iPad Pro 9.7-inch. Apple's identification page is the definitive list.

What's the difference between the iPad 5th and 6th generation?

They look almost the same, with a 9.7-inch screen and Home button, but the 6th generation (2018) has the newer A10 Fusion chip, supports Apple Pencil (1st generation) and reached iPadOS 17 rather than iPadOS 16. On 5 October 2026 that one-version gap decided whether apps such as YouTube, BBC iPlayer and Google Classroom would install. Refurbished, the 6th generation costs £5.00 more at Very Good 32GB Wi-Fi.

Is the iPad 5th generation the same as the iPad Air 2?

No. The iPad Air 2 is a Late 2014 model with numbers A1566 and A1567, while the iPad 5th generation is a 2017 model, A1822 or A1823. They share the 9.7-inch size and Home button, so they're easy to mix up in second-hand listings. Always check the A-number before you buy, because the generation decides which iPadOS version and which apps you can use.

Can I check battery health on an iPad 5th generation?

Not in Settings. Apple shows battery health in Settings only on certain newer iPads, such as the iPad (A16) and recent iPad Air and iPad Pro models, so a 5th generation doesn't display a percentage. Options are to ask the seller for their diagnostic reading, or to connect it to a Mac running a third-party tool such as coconutBattery. Otherwise, judge it by how long it lasts in your normal use.

Does the iPad 5th generation work with a keyboard?

Yes, with a Bluetooth keyboard. It has Bluetooth 4.2 but no Smart Connector, so Apple's Smart Keyboard and other keyboards that clip onto a Smart Connector won't work. Bluetooth keyboard cases made for 9.7-inch iPads are the usual choice. Check that the case maker lists the iPad 5th generation, A1822 or A1823 as compatible before you order, rather than relying on the screen size alone.

Will an iPad 5th generation stop working?

It won't switch off on a set date. It keeps running iPadOS 16 for as long as the hardware lasts, and Apple has issued fixes as recently as 11 May 2026. What changes over time is the app list: as developers raise their minimum iPadOS versions, fewer new apps and updates will install, and some services eventually stop supporting older app versions.

How much was the iPad 5th generation when new?

Apple's UK launch price in March 2017 was £339 for the 32GB Wi-Fi model and £469 for the 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model. Refurbished prices at The Tech Gadgets now start at £69.00 for Wi-Fi and £84.00 for Wi-Fi + Cellular (Very Good 32GB, checked 5 October 2026). For context, Apple's current iPad (A16) starts at £429 new on its UK store.

Verdict: what the iPad 5th generation can still do in 2026

If your iPad says A1822 or A1823, it's a 2017 iPad 5th generation, and iPadOS 16.7.16 is as far as it goes. It still makes a good home tablet for FaceTime, Safari, music, Disney+, ITVX, YouTube Kids and banking apps, and it has received security fixes as recently as May 2026. It can't run the YouTube, Netflix or BBC iPlayer apps, Microsoft Office or Google Classroom, and it doesn't support Apple Pencil.

Keep it, or buy one refurbished from £69.00, if your apps are on the compatible list. Choose something else if you need those missing apps or want years more of current software. For most of those buyers, the refurbished iPad 9th generation, on iPadOS 27, is the sensible upgrade.