Is it possible to flash a new OS onto an old iPad 2?

I bought an old iPad2 for the purpose of viewing a Home Assistant dashboard via a web browser. My thinking was that the ability to browse the web was the sole requirement for a tablet for this purpose, but I was wrong: Home Assistant’s web pages apparently require a newer version of javascript than iOS 9.3.5 can handle, but the iPad 2 can only be updated to iOS 9.3.5.

So is it possible to flash a newer OS (e.g., linux) onto an old iPad 2? ChatGPT says it’s not possible because a bootloader exploit for the iPad 2 isn’t known, but ChatGPT is often wrong.

skullgiver, (edited )
@skullgiver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl avatar

deleted_by_author

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    mike_wooskey,
    @mike_wooskey@lemmy.d.thewooskeys.com avatar

    Thanks for the suggestions, but you don’t sound too optimistic about them they they’re beyond my skill set anyway (except possibly jailbreaking).

    Aatube,
    @Aatube@kbin.social avatar

    https://appledb.dev/device/iPad-2.html Select 9.3.5 and choose the jailbreak method you want. After that, download a newer browser with the jailbreak or even just run Linux on it.

    mike_wooskey,
    @mike_wooskey@lemmy.d.thewooskeys.com avatar

    Thanks. I’ll check it out.

    skullgiver, (edited )
    @skullgiver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl avatar

    deleted_by_author

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    Aatube,
    @Aatube@kbin.social avatar

    Hmm… maybe they could compile Feenix. Build tools should probably be still available.

    PlatinumSf,

    You may try a downloaded browser, they likely ship with a newer version of webkit than what’s on the system or in the store but I’m not 💯 and Google didn’t reveal any clarity on the matter.

    mike_wooskey,
    @mike_wooskey@lemmy.d.thewooskeys.com avatar

    I tried all the downloadable browsers. None work in this iOS. :(

    tsonfeir, (edited )
    @tsonfeir@lemm.ee avatar

    Nope. You’re hosed. Can’t even put Linux on it. Great piece of hardware still, total trash.

    Aatube,
    @Aatube@kbin.social avatar

    You forgot jailbreaking

    tsonfeir,
    @tsonfeir@lemm.ee avatar

    Nope. Won’t work. It did back in the day, but nothing will run on it anymore because the OS version required won’t install. I have an iPad 2, I’ve tried.

    No doubt, the hardware could run Ubuntu Touch, alas Apple are dicks like that.

    markstos,

    Good news. You can install a newer browser in a virtual machine on some other server you have and then use some Remote Desktop software on the iPad to access the VM which can run a browser to access your Home Assistant dashboard.

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