Apple stopped supporting the first Generation iPad with the iOS 6.0 update, which leaves the device stuck on the 5.1.1 version of the operating system. But this doesn't mean the original iPad is now a paperweight. There are still many good uses for a 1st Generation iPad, including watching Netflix and playing casual games. The trick is getting apps that only support a later version of the operating system on the first generation iPad.
This won't work with all apps. Most apps only support a newer version of the iOS operating system, so the current version of the app won't work on the original iPad. There's a way to get an older version of the app onto your iPad, but for this to work, there must be a version of the app that supports the older operating system.
Mar 12, 2018 - Most newer apps only support iOS 7 or up, so the current version of the app. The iOS 6.0 update, which leaves the device stuck on the 5.1.1 version of. There's a way to get an older version of the app onto your iPad, but for.
The first thing you can try is downloading the app through the App Store on the iPad. In theory, this should work, and for apps that have an original iPad compatible version available, the iPad should prompt you to download the older version. At this point, you can simply confirm that you want to download the old version and be done. But in practice, this doesn't always work. However, there is a neat trick that will help you get over this App Store hurdle.
How to Download Apps to the 1st Generation (Original) iPad
The trick here is to go around the App Store to make the purchase and only use the App Store on the iPad to download the already purchased app. We do this by using iTunes on our PC or Mac. Unfortunately, Apple removed the App Store from iTunes with the most recent versions, so we'll also need an older version of iTunes.
If you are running iTunes version 12.7 or newer, you will need to download a special version of iTunes with the App Store included. Apple makes this special version available on their website at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208079.
Once downloaded and installed, you will have access to the App Store via the iTunes app. If you are using Windows, you will first need to remove the previously installed version of iTunes before installing this version.
Launch iTunes and verify that you are signed into the same Apple ID as you use with your iPad. You can view these settings under the 'Store' menu. The 'View Account' choice should show the email address used with your iPad. If not, choose 'Sign Out' and sign in with the same account used on the iPad. (If you don't have iTunes on your PC, you can download it from Apple.)
'Purchase' the app in iTunes on your PC or Mac. This is actually very similar to downloading apps on your iPad. Once in iTunes, go to the 'iTunes Store' and change the category on the right from 'Music' to 'App Store'. The screen will change to become very similar to the App Store app on your iPad.
After you click the 'Get' button or the price button, the app will download to your PC.
You do not need to hook your iPad up to your PC for this next part to work. The iPad allows you to download any previously purchased app, so you are free to delete apps and then download them again later when needed. In this instance, we are simply going to download the app we just purchased on the PC. Go into the App Store app, choose the Previously Purchased Tab and locate the app you just downloaded on your PC. You can tap the cloud button next to the app to download it onto your iPad.
The iPad may prompt you with a message telling you that the app is not supported on your version of iOS. (If it doesn't, the app already supported the 1st Generation iPad). If there is a version of the app that supports the original iPad, you will be asked if you want to download a previous version of the app. Give the iPad a resounding Yes! to download a version of the app compatible with your iPad.
Older Versions Of Skype
This trick won't always work, so it is recommended to only try this with free apps like Netflix so you don't waste money trying to get an app that won't work on your iPad.
iOS 5.1.1 is the highest iOS the 2010, 1st generation iPad can go.
The 1st generation iPad was, more or less, an early adopter model iPad.
It was underpowered with only 256 MBs of RAM and NO cameras for image/video shooting or FaceTime calling.
If you have a newer iDevice, install the newer version of the app to your newer iDevice first.
Then, back on your iPad, you can try to download the latest app from the iOS App Store and if the developer/s has/have left an older, compatible version of their app/s on Apple's app servers, then you will receive a small window pop-up prompt that states that there is an older version of the app that is compatible with your device. Would you like to download this version now.
Tap the OK button just below the prompt to start the downloading of the older app version to your iPad.
If you need apps for that iPad, if you have a computer with an older version of iTunes (version 12.6.4 or earlier ), you can try downloading the recent app/s, by accessing the iOS App Store, through iTunes, and then, download the recent version of the app/s you like to use on your iPad, to iTunes on your computer, FIRST.
IF you own a computer with an older version of iTunes already on it, try using that version as an old 2010, iPad 1 does not need the latest iTunes version. If you have a computer, but NO iTunes on it, here is a link to the older 12.6.3 version for download found in this Apple weblink.
Older versions of iTunes found here.
iTunes 12.6.5 here.
DO NOT download OR USE the latest version of iTunes (version 12.7.x) as there is no more support for saving apps in iTunes under the most recent versions. If you have already downloaded the recent 12.7.x version of iTunes, NONE of what I have wriiten here in this post reply may work!
You will need to use an older iTunes version and once it is downloaded and installed on your computer, at launch, hold down the Opt/Alt key on your keyboard while launching this older iTunee version, so you can create a new Tunes library.
BEFORE DOING the IMMEDIATELY ABOVE, if you use iTunes on a computer and already have an iTunes Library, you will need to find the iTunes Library folder on your computer and, temporarily, move/copy this folder to another location so you do not accidentally write over your existing current iTunes library.
Then, back on your iPad, you can try to download the latest app from the iOS App Store and if the developer/s has/have left an older, compatible version of their app/s on Apple's app servers, then you will receive a small window pop-up prompt that states that there is an older version of the app that is compatible with your device.. Would you like to download this version now. Tap the OK button just below the prompt to start the downloading of the older app version to your iPad.
If you are successful in getting apps on this iPad, consider looking for more “up to date”, third party iOS web browsers for that version of iOS. Some third party web browser developers supported their web browser on iOS 5.1.1 for a long time and are more up to date than the iOS 5.1.1 version of the Safari Web Browser.
If you use iTunes on a computer, there maybe some third party iOS web browsers that may still have older versions for iOS 5.1.1.
Popular third party compatible Web browsers are more quickly dwindling, now.
Here are the possible candidates.
Dolphin Web browser
iCab Mobile Web browser
Snow Bunny Web browser
Private Browsing Web browser
Maxthon Web browser
FYI,
Not every app you attempt to download, to iTunes or from the iOS App Store on your old iPad, will have an iOS 5.1.1 compatible version. For older apps that may still have an older iOS version available, the lowest compatible iOS version of an app is iOS 4.2.1.
The search for iOS 5.1.1 compatible apps will be trial and error, but they are out there.
This website may help you locate the apps you can use with your original iPad 1
My 2010, iPad 1 has approx. over 100 apps on it that are still functioning, but older versions of apps that I currently run on my newer iPad models.
Good Luck!