[ipad] Redeploying Legacy iOS9 iPads - opinions

[DavR]

I've got a batch of iPads on order to replace an ancient set of iPad 2s, and I'm just wondering what to do with the old devices when I'm done. They still work, for now, so I was thinking of maybe handing them out to teachers on a low-support, if it breaks, it breaks, deal.

 

I understand that iOS9 is no longer receiving security updates, and may be vulnerable. I know there was a bunch of certificates that expired recently that was suppose to affect iOS9, although I haven't seen any change on our devices.

 

What are others doing with old iOS9 devices? Have you junked them due to being out of date and insecure, or have you reused them? If you have reused them, what security mitigations do you have in place?

[Primus]

Sadly, as much as it will pain you, it's now time to junk them and move on.

[tmoon-mint]

Same as @Primus they have been retired and replaced with iPads that still receive security updates.

 

Edit: Might be worth seeing if you can trade them in for something? I know KRCS definitely used to do a trade in scheme not sure if they still do.

Edited November 9, 2021 by tmoon-mint

[DavR]

Edit: Might be worth seeing if you can trade them in for something? I know KRCS definitely used to do a trade in scheme not sure if they still do.

Yeah, I know one of our suppliers used to do a scheme like that. I only remembered after completing the procurement for the new ones and kicked myself, should have tried for trade in.

 

Although I think they were advertising for trade in on iPad 2s several years ago now, I doubt whether there's much value to be realised from them now.

[mavhc]

Use them for something that doesn't need to be secure, extra displays, information screens, ebook reader, security camera monitor, video player, etc

[localzuk]

We send ours for recycling tbh. You're talking about devices that are 10 years old really, so I would say its more hassle than its worth to keep them going.

[DavR]

You're talking about devices that are 10 years old really, so I would say its more hassle than its worth to keep them going.

 

Only 8 years old our ones, so quite modern really And in fairness, they've kept going with very little input from me thus far.

 

It does look like end of life on these, which I can agree with. It just feels a bit of a waste to be throwing away something that works, when I've got people asking for them.

[Koldov]

What does everybody do with these? We have 60 iPad Mini (1st Gen) sitting in a cupboard and 6 iPad 2.

 

Bin (obviously in the form of arranging a collection from a reputable tech recycling company) for £0 return.

 

Sell to a company like CEX (I can't actually believe they are offering this if I'm honest)...

 

 

EDIT: Does anyone have any experience?

 

Is it like "oh, there is a tiny dent in the corner so we can now only offer you £1.00"...

Edited November 9, 2021 by Koldov

[K-ITS]

Hi, in my experience CEX is hit and miss with regards to their grading. It really does depend on the store. What you would need to be careful of is trying to trade in more than 2 at a time. They knock the prices down quite a bit from what you see online for what they consider a bulk purchase. I trade all of my excess tech into CEX as the pricing is pretty much guaranteed on one of each thing, but I dont trade my work stuff there.

[RLR]

We recently sold ours back to Academia in return for credit. Surprisingly worth a bit still.

[DavR]

We recently sold ours back to Academia in return for credit. Surprisingly worth a bit still.

 

Oh, we work with them too sometimes!

 

Was this for a discount off a larger purchase, or credit you could use for other kit?

 

Would be great to trade these in and come out of it with something useful.

[Koldov]

In my opinion even at £1 each that at least means it would be £60 and not £0...

 

I know it isn't massive in terms of an IT dept. budget, but any money coming back in to the school has got to be a good thing.

 

Even if it buys a few packs of biscuits for the staff room...

[RLR]

Oh, we work with them too sometimes!

 

Was this for a discount off a larger purchase, or credit you could use for other kit?

 

Would be great to trade these in and come out of it with something useful.

 

I believe it was credit for other purchases but not sure as it was done by the IT Director here.

[DavR]

Fair enough. Looks like it's worth asking though!

[Kollektiv26]

Had to throw out an iPad 2 a few months ago cause of the lack of support, heart breaking.

[chazzy2501]

my personal ipad3 on ios9 still chugging along. Some webpages can bring it too it's knees though. Seriously, recycle the lot, it hurts but oh well. Shame a charity can't get these to another country for a impoverished school.

[mavhc]

Next time don't buy tablets that you can't update when the supplier decides they want to sell more new ones so EOLs the old ones for no reason.

[DavR]

Shame a charity can't get these to another country for a impoverished school.

 

Yes.... and no..... on that one tbh.

 

They are a known security risk, so I think giving them to the disadvantaged is probably a bit morally dubious.

 

If someone chooses to buy them off us of course, then buyer beware!

[Brimstone]

Shame a charity can't get these to another country for a impoverished school.

 

This is where your recycled iPads go most of the time....

[3s-gtech]

Shame a charity can't get these to another country for a impoverished school.

This used to happen, and now all of that old junk sits in landfill in those impoverished countries. Not really as charitable as hoped!

[Koldov]

Yes, even charities have standards (and rightly so I guess these days)!

 

A bit like the fact that you can't give them used furniture unless it has all the proper fire labels still attached.

 

I remember years ago (and you can probably guess how long) when there was a 'computers for Africa' or something charity and they wouldn't accept anything less than a Pentium 4...

[tmoon-mint]

Next time don't buy tablets that you can't update when the supplier decides they want to sell more new ones so EOLs the old ones for no reason.

 

I hate to break it to you but Android is far worse for this. They also ended support for an iPad released in 2011 in 2019... Surely you cant expect more than that?

[mavhc]

On Android I can install my own OS though.

 

For iOS jailbreak it, then remove anything with security flaws, like iMessage and Safari perhaps.

 

I'd probably boot them into a web page and hang them on the wall, Smart Home controller in each room

[Koldov]

Yeah, we had some old no-name Chinese Android tablets that fell out of support from the manufacturer within a year of purchase (admittedly not my fault as they were purchased by our BM without any consultation).

 

Seems like the version of Android was unable to be updated on the chipset they used or some rubbish and the whole thing was locked into their updates (because the Android OS is coded by them to do that(?)).

 

I mean I probably could have done something like a ROOT hack (if I even knew how) but why would I, that goes against everything we try to do in terms of security for devices doesn't it?

[Oaktech]

One of my sites, they're blocked from the internet by mac address and the'yre used as very expensive cameras.