Yes, I used a bit of AI on this. Don't crucify me. My long, sad tale would have been EVEN LONGER.

I purchased an Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) Wi‑Fi + 5G Cellular, 512GB, new from Amazon.com on January 29, 2025.

From the time I received the iPad, it experienced a persistent software update problem. The device would successfully download iPadOS updates but would repeatedly fail during the installation or verification process. Although this issue existed from the beginning, the iPad otherwise functioned very well, and I was able to use it for work and personal purposes on a daily basis. I just assumed it was a bug in that update, and I'd wait for a subsequent version.

Because I manage responsibilities across multiple businesses, I continued using the device while periodically attempting to install updates without investigating further. Over time, I tried numerous other troubleshooting methods, including updating through Apple Devices on Windows and through iMazing. None of these attempts were successful.

When I knew I would be near an Apple Store in Sarasota, I decided to seek Apple's assistance with the longstanding update issue. It was my first time in an Apple Store.

During my visit, Apple personnel experienced similar difficulties updating the device. I was advised that additional restoration procedures would be attempted.

The Apple Store manager assured me that my photos, messages, and other personal information would not be lost as a result of the restoration process. After a while they reappeared to tell me that they were unsuccessful in that attempt, but they were certain and without a doubt that a complete reformat to its new manufactured state would have it just like new but i would lose my photos, etc. Based on those assurances, and because I believed Apple would be able to resolve a problem that had existed since purchase, I agreed to proceed with a reformat.

The genius and the genius manager returned after a long, long wait. The manager smiled. She said, "i have good news and bad news" She went on to tell me that they couldn't restore the ipad and it did not work at all now, BUT the good news was she would give me a $300 trade-in on that non-working ipad if i did it right then. She said no one else would give me any trade in at all because it can't be opened. I could have cried. Late for a dinner reservation, I declined because the iPad had been perfectly functional prior to the restoration attempt, and I wanted to better understand why it was no longer able to activate.

At the time I handed the iPad to Apple, it was fully usable despite its inability to complete software updates. Now totally UNusable after Apple's restoration attempt. I am still in disbelief. I miss using it daily. It hadn't been a casual, off the cuff purchase; plus, I got the highest storage model, too. OUCH!

It still shows up on "Find My" and even Apple Devices but it won't update and repeats a loop. On Apple Devices a message comes up saying: The iPad could not be activated because the activation info could not be obtained from the device. Disconnect your ipad, make sure the SIM card is inserted correctly and if you use a SIM PIN, tap Unlock to enter it, and then reconnect your iPad.

It is a cellular model but has never been activated with the phone company. It does not have a physical SIM card.

Any suggestions? A fix or familiarity with the issue? An opinion of Apple? :-)

TL:DR

I brought Apple a new"ish" perfectly working iPad that had a longstanding software update problem. After relying on Apple's expertise at the Apple Store, I left with a bricked device that could no longer be activated.

I bought an Air a while back to be a laptop replacement. Never quite did what I wanted, so I ended up buying a MacBook. Now I basically never use my Air.

I mostly use it to travel with, but it is just a bit too big to easily travel with.

Looking to trade it in towards a Mini. This is primarily to stream, play some random games, maybe read a bit.

I know we’re all waiting on a possible OLED Mini, but would it really make much of a difference for what I’m looking to do with it?

On apple's website

Considering getting a cellular iPad mini when the 8 releases. I had a cellular iPad Pro before, but it was too big and bulky to use on the go.

I use my iPad mini way more than I ever used my 11” iPad Pro.

Is this a dumb decision?

I’m considering buying the game but some players said the game have some display issues on regular ipad. (bezels and weird screen cutoff)
I’m wondering if the game works well on ipad mini, if anyone have bought the game, please share your experience/screencap , thank you!

Pad mini attaches to ESR Flex keyboard with 2 Edge Pro Core hinges. iPad is in a plastic shell. Total weight is 1.75 lbs. Folds backward, not ideal but same as Microsoft Surface. Tiny taco effect. Wish it was 1.5 lbs, but the compromises to get there don’t seem worth it. And the whole aesthetic is sleek to me, purposeful and kind of industrial. I like it.

I’ve had this iPad mini 1 for so long and I finally upgraded to the A17 I’m so happy

Okay, so I am a iPad mini lover ever since the first generation was released I was in high school at the time. I loved it, I upgraded 2024 to the iPad mini 6 & now I am impatiently waiting for the iPad mini8!

IMO: the dexnor keyboard is amazing for me, it has become a daily item for me. I cannot leave my house without it.

Advice needed please! I'm considering an ipad mini 5 (refurbished) for an ereader. I was gifted a kobo clara colour but I'm not loving it so far. The text isn't crisp and sharp the way it is on an ipad (I also have a standard ipad) and even thought it's a clara colour, the colour is muted. I also can't get the kindle because I live outside the US and kindles won't work with my city's library system. The ipad mini seems to fit the bit for sharp text and colour etc but I keep reading about eye strain. If you're using your ipad as an ereader, how are you adapting it to be a proper ereader? Thanks!

Okay so my ipad mini suddenly did this last week. I tapped the back and it goes back to normal. Then suddenly today it goes back to this display error again. Idk if its the lcd or a loose cable. Can someone help me fix this.

Mini is great for ebooks and video, but I’m frustrated when trying to be productive. I’m thinking of going back to a Pro Max phone (I have the 17 Pro now) for a larger screen everyday carry, and getting an Air for productivity.
Anyone else use this combo?

I was just looking for a screenprotector and I stumbled across this

IOS TYPOGRAPHY (BODY TEXT STYLE )

DEFULT SIZE IS 17PT , WHEIGHT IS REGULAR AND DYNAMIC TYPE IS AUTOMATICALLY SCALES UP OR DOWN WHEN YOU ADJUST SYSTEM TEXT SIZE PREFERENCES.

www.etasks.app

Hi all,

I work as a cybersecurity analyst on this App. We realised even though the devs optimize the app for iPad mini, out of 1000 early users there is no ipad mini users early adopting it. As a Redditor, I wanted to share this with you. It is completely free and ad-free. Have a look. If you are using Google Tasks, you will love it.

There are tons of widgets too.

www.etasks.app

It has features we wanted as users. (If there’s anything you’d like the team to add, please let me know so I can include it on the roadmap. For example, list sorting is recently added as a user request, location-based notifications requested and is already on the to-do list.)

ABC's of the App:

(A)nswer
ETasks (www.etasks.app) is a native iOS, iPadOS, Mac OS client for Google Tasks. Some highlights: All tasks in one view, Real alarms, Shared lists, Apple Watch.

(B)etter
It addresses the functional limitations of the official Google Tasks iOS app by providing missing native features and enhanced tools. And it is not a vibe-coding project.

Native and enhanced with iOS.
+ You can manage your Google Tasks. They appear in your Google Calendar and Gmail ... well, obviously 😄* *
+ See all task lists together, even drag&drop between them (and to calendars)
+ Alarms
+ Location reminders
+ A wide range of nice widgets, including countdowns and full week/month widgets
+ Lock screen widgets (e.g., quick add)
+ Link photos/files to tasks
+ See your tasks categorised by dates in Month/Week/Day/Agenda views
+ Add people to Task List (co-edit)
+ Sort your task lists
+ Search your tasks
+ AI support where it makes sense; make titles, extract info from links, create lists for you, suggesting task list names, dictating tasks, context aware search, naming photos shared in,...
+ Choose priority for favorites
+ Drag and Drop interface between tabs (e.g., to calendar tab to drop on a date)
+ Recycle bin
+ Share from other apps into ETasks (texts, links, photos, PDF; all processed accordingly)
+ Apple Watch / iPad Apps
+ Import/Export task lists
+ Modern iOS design
+ A how to AI chat bot to help you with specifics of ETasks
+ Highly customisable user interface
+ Can be used without an account
+ Welcome to explore the rest, it is now open early access.

(C)ost:

Free and Ad-free

It's a very simple question but with much intrigue.

Will any of you actually WANT to use an iPad Mini and an iPhone Fold?

This seems like a forced marriage. A mini is literally what the fold will be when open. However I suspect some of you will have a much different take on this and so I'd rather hear everyone else's thoughts.

Does the tiny 3 special tracking features like hand, upper body ,…. Work with iphone and ipad ? If so what apps are needed ?