Apple iOS and iPadOS Support Statement

This page gives information on the versions of the Apple iOS and iPadOS operating systems supported by IT Services for use on the Trinity data network. This service is for staff and students.

iOS and iPad graphics on blue banner

Supported versions of iOS and iPadOS

Apple provides security updates for the versions of iOS and iPadOS listed below. Apple no longer provides security updates for any other versions. To help ensure the security of College systems and your data, IT Services will only provide support for the same versions.

Although it may be possible to connect to our network and access certain apps and services from devices running older, unsupported versions, this is not recommended by IT Services.

Supported versions

iOS

  • iOS 18

iPadOS

  • iPadOS 18
  • iPadOS 17

iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are not currently supported

iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are expected be released in the middle of September 2025.

In the weeks following their release, IT Services will carry out testing for connectivity to the Staff Wi-Fi and Student Wi-Fi services. Until this testing is complete, we will not be able to provide support for this version of iOS/iPadOS and would recommend not upgrading until our testing is completed successfully.

 


 

Jailbroken devices and sideloading apps

IT Services cannot provide support for any devices that have been jailbroken.

Also, we cannot provide support for apps that have been 'Sideloaded'. Sideloading is the process of downloading and installing apps from an unofficial source; for example from outside the official Apple App Store.

 


 

Third-party app support on iOS and iPadOS

Certain third-party app providers will only support the use of their apps on the versions of iOS/iPadOS supported by Apple. For example, Microsoft will only support the use of the Teams and Outlook apps on the versions of iOS supported by Apple and will not guarantee the security or operation of these apps on unsupported versions of iOS/iPadOS.

 


 

Suitability of tablets as a staff work device

Although iPads can be connected to the Staff Wi-Fi network, IT Services do not manage them for encryption and operating system security updates. We also do not have the ability to wipe them if they are lost or stolen. Accordingly we would advise that iPads are only suitable as complimentary devices and not as primary staff work devices. For a suitable staff work device, which is portable, we would recommend one of the lightweight laptop options from our approved suppliers.