My iPad will not support the latest iOS

9 March 20209 March 2020Margot

Apple does not support older models of iPad indefinitely. When support stops, there will be no more security updates. Some apps will work indefinitely. But other apps may well stop working, and even disappear from your iPad.

iPads last a long time, especially if well cared for, so the answer to “Can I keep using my out of date iPad?” is “It depends”

Do you use your iPad in coffee shops, on the train or in other public places connecting to wi-fi?
Do you use your iPad for financial transactions? Or Internet banking?
Do you use your iPad to run your business, accessing sensitive customer data?
Have your favourite apps stopped working because they are no longer supported?
Do your favourite apps keep crashing?

If the answer to these questions is “Yes”, then it may be time to swap your old iPad for a new iPad.

Each release of iOS addresses various security concerns, so theoretically, the more recent the iOS, the more secure it is.

What iOS is running on your iPad?

To find out more about your iPad, see Find my iOS

How old is your iPad?

9 March 2020Margot

If you have an old iPad (or iPad mini) you may well find that, bit at a time, apps will stop working, crash or may even disappear from your iPad. If this is happening to you, then it may be time to get another iPad, especially if you use your iPad out and about, hooking up to free Wi-Fi services.

The current version of the iPad operating system is iOS 12.4. If your iPad is running on this, then it is up to date, and the Safari browser and email apps are fully supported. Your iPad is secure, and you can use Facebook and Whatsapp with no problems, plus all Google apps.

What iOS is running on your iPad?

To find out more about your iPad, see Find my iOS

Coming soon

Apple are about to release a new version of iOS specifically for iPads later this year, iPadOS

Older iPads (and iPad minis) may not support iOS 12, and this is where the problems may start. Bit at a time, apps will disappear or not function properly. There is also the possibility that your iPad will be less secure.

If this is the case, start thinking about replacing your iPad with a more recent model.

iOS	Type	Model	Date available
iPadOS 13
	Current models
	iPad	iPad 6th generation (2018 model)	2018-
	iPad Mini	iPad mini 5 (2019 model)	2018-
	iPad Air	iPad Air 3 (2019 model)	2019-
	iPad Pro	12.9-inch iPad Pro 3rd generation (2018 model)	2018-
		11-inch iPad Pro (2018 model)	2018-
	Other models
	iPad	iPad 5th generation (2017 model)	2017-2018
	iPad Mini	iPad mini 4	2015-2018
	iPad Air	iPad Air 2	2014-2019
	iPad Pro	12.9-inch iPad Pro 2nd generation	2017-2018
		12.9-inch iPad Pro 1st generation	2015-2017
		10.5-inch iPad Pro	2017-2018
		9.7-inch iPad Pro	2016-2018
iOS 12, but not iPad iOS 13
	iPad Mini	iPad mini 3	2014-2015
		iPad mini 2	2013-2014
	iPad Air	iPad Air	2013-2014
iOS 10
	iPad	iPad 4	2012-2016
iOS 9 and below
	iPad	iPad 3	2012-2012
		iPad 2	2011-2012
		iPad (the original)	2010-2011
	iPad Mini	iPad mini	2012-2013

Buying a new iPad

At the time of writing, the latest version of iOS is 12.4 (August 2019).

Why is this important? Having an out of date iPad is rather like having a car where the door locks don’t always work. If you always park your car in your front garden and only visit trusted locations, it may well be fine and none ever breaks into your car.

In August 2019, the latest version of iOS was 12.4.

These are the models of iPad which are currently supported and are capable of running the latest iOS.:

My iPad will not support the latest iOS

iPads last a long time, especially if well cared for, so the answer to “Can I keep using my out of date iPad?” is “It depends”

Do you use your iPad in coffee shops, on the train or in other public places connecting to wi-fi?
Do you use your iPad for financial transactions? Or Internet banking?
Do you use your iPad to run your business, accessing sensitive customer data?
Have your favourite apps stopped working because they are no longer supported?
Do your favourite apps keep crashing?

If the answer to these questions is “Yes”, then it may be time to swap your old iPad for a new iPad.

Each release of iOS addresses various security concerns, so theoretically, the more recent the iOS, the more secure it is. If you are concerned about security, consider installing antivirus for your iPad.

Antivirus for iPad

Why should I worry?

How do I find my iPad iOS?

9 March 2020Margot

The version of iOS that you iPad is using can be found in Settings.

On the iPad home screen, look for the Settings icon:

Tap Settings to open the Settings app.

Scroll down to find General. And then tap About

Information about your iPad will be displayed.

Look for Version. This will tell you which version of iOS is running on your iPad

In this example, the iOS is 10.3.3.

You can also find the model number, and if you are running a recent version of iOS, the model name.

More information: http://osxdaily.com/2019/07/13/how-find-ipad-model-name/

How do I find my Google Contacts

9 March 2020Margot

One of the great mysteries of the universe is why software developers keep changing things. Gmail for instance. In a previous existence, it was possible to find the contacts tab so you could edit your contacts, create mailing lists etc. But now it has changed, and the contacts seem to have disappeared, and what looks like a link to contacts, is actually a link to “Hangouts”. Quite useful if you wish to chat to someone face to face, but not if you wish to create an email to send to a list of friends.

The contacts tab has not disappeared, but it is more difficult to find.

There are two ways to find the Contacts app.

Go to https://contacts.google.com. Bookmark this page, so you can find it again.

Alternatively, click on the “Apps” button and navigate to the Contacts icon:

A list of available apps will be displayed

Look for the Contacts Icon

The problem is that the Contacts icon is not always displayed.

In this case click More and another list of functions will be displayed

How do I find my Google Contacts?

9 March 2020Margot

The contacts tab has not disappeared, but it is more difficult to find.

There are two ways to find the Contacts app.

Go to https://contacts.google.com. Bookmark this page, so you can find it again.

Alternatively, click on the “Apps” button and navigate to the Contacts icon:

A list of available apps will be displayed

Look for the Contacts Icon

The problem is that the Contacts icon is not always displayed.

In this case click More and another list of functions will be displayed

About Margot’s IT Support

9 March 202011 March 2020Margot

“We are all now connected by the Internet, like neurons in a giant brain.” – Stephen Hawking

Once upon a time, it was possible to conduct one’s financial affairs just using a signature and cash was king. But now, the world is changing with the growth of the Internet, libraries are being replaced by Google, signatures are being replaced by passwords and PINs, we can communicate with each other by email and even talk directly with our friends and loved ones across the globe using Skype and Facetime. The Internet has become a vast, virtual neural mesh covering the whole globe.

At Margot’s IT Support, we provide a friendly and personal service, to help our customers to stay connected, advise our customers how to protect their data and conduct financial transactions safely. We offer tuition and coaching for using computers and laptops.

Margot’s IT Support is part of the Surrey Systems Partnership and our focus is home users, although we do support small businesses as well.

Margot’s IT Support is run by Margaret (Margot) who has spent many years working in IT, developing systems and providing IT support, fixing computers, listening to users and making computer systems accessible to everyone. Margaret believes passionately that everyone should be able to use the new technologies. As Margaret says “I drive a car, but do not expect to have to understand what happens under the bonnet, that is the job of the garage technicians. Likewise, for most people, the new technologies if the internet and computers should help people, but my job is to keep systems running so my customers can get on with their lives”

We have introduced a system of clear pricing and services that we offer.

Is it time for a new computer?

9 March 2020Margot

Computers are a bit like cars. You can keep them going almost indefinitely, but at a cost. But like cars, there will come a day when your computer dies, or is so outdated, that it needs to be replaced.

Question

When should you replace your computer?

Answer

When it can no longer be updated to the latest version of the operating system. It is important to keep up to date with the operating system, if you use your computer to browse the internet or for email.
When the cost of fixing the problem is greater than the cost of buying a new computer. Laptops may well wear out quicker than desktop computers.
If your computer is running so slowly and it is not economical to upgrade. However, the problem may well be unwanted software (malware) running on your computer, and all it needs is a detox.

Offers from Margot’s IT Support

Computer detox: £75

Computer upgrade for a faster laptop

Speed up your computer with a 1TB SSD and 8GB of Ram

An SSD is a solid state drive and is much faster than a conventional hard disk

1TB SSD and 8GB Ram with installation: £300. This is probably one of the most worthwhile upgrades you can do.

The old disk will be returned in a caddy, so you can used it for backup etc.

Desktop upgrade

Speed up your old desktop with a 1TB SSD and 8GB of extra memory: £300.

The old disk will be returned in a caddy, so you can used it for backup etc.

Is your computer more of a tortoise than a hare?

9 March 20209 March 2020Margot

Running Windows 10?

Does your computer take forever to start?

In the story of the tortoise and the hare, the tortoise wins the race, but real life isn’t always like that. As far as computers go, hares are much better than tortoises.

If the answer to both questions is YES and your computer (laptop or desktop) is less than 4 years old, then upgrading to an SSD (Solid State Drive) may well breathe new life into your computer and change it from a tortoise to a hare.

You should not have time to make a cup of coffee while you wait for your computer to boot up. Replace the conventional hard disk in your laptop or PC with a large SSD, and suddenly, this computer that you have fallen out of love with becomes an object of desire, fast and responsive. Turn it on and it is there. You will need make your coffee BEFORE you switch on. Add some extra memory, and you will have a computer that will be the envy of all.

Special offer from Margot’s IT Support

Crucial 1TB SSD and upgrade to 8GB of memory: £300.

Your old disk will be placed in an external drive casing, so you can use it for backing up your system.

If you would like more information, complete this form and we will be in touch.

Your Windows 7 PC is out of support

9 March 20209 March 2020Margot

If you are still running Windows 7, you will get this screen.

So, what are your options?

Ignore the warnings and continue using Windows 7. If you do so, make sure you have Anti-Virus installed, and you are not relying on Windows Security Essentials. This is not a recommended option.
Upgrade to Windows 10. You will need at least 4GB of Ram, preferably 8, to run Windows 10. You can upgrade for free. But there may be some problems, especially for an older machine, and some printers and scanners may not be supported.
Buy a new computer with Windows 10 already installed.
Install a Linux based system to run alongside Windows 7.

Whatever you choose to do, Margot’s IT Support can help. Get in touch for help.

Chrome Book – reset Cookies

9 March 202014 December 2020Margot

If your Chromebook is acting strangely when you are logging into your favourite websites (such as Banking), it may be because your cookie cache is overfull.

Note, once all your cookies are deleted, you will be logged out of your favourite sites, so you will have to log back in again.