What's the oldest gen iPad you would run Shopify POS on?

Retail & Point of Sale

Topic summary

A retailer recently switched to Shopify POS and discovered their 6th generation iPads are inadequate for running the app. They’re experiencing:

Performance Issues:

  • Frequent app crashes
  • Extremely slow product search loading
  • Laggy checkout processes

Working Devices:

  • iPad 10 and iPad Air 5 both run smoothly with minimal performance problems

Current Dilemma:
The retailer found good prices on older refurbished and open-box iPad models but is hesitant to purchase them. They’re seeking community input on the oldest iPad generation that reliably runs Shopify POS without issues, as buying three brand-new iPads would be costly. The discussion remains open with no definitive answer yet on minimum hardware requirements.

Summarized with AI on November 15. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

We recently switched to Shopify POS and we’re learning that our gen 6 iPads are not quite sufficient to operate the app without major issues. We’re experiencing crashing as well as extremely laggy loading in searching products and during checkout.

We also have an iPad 10 and an iPad Air 5, both of which run the app smoothly with few complaints, but it’s a tall order to have to buy 3 brand new iPads like that. We’ve found a good price on older open-box and refurbished models, but I’m worried we’ll run into the same issues.

Would anyone be willing to share the oldest generation of iPad you’re running Shopify POS on, and whether you experience any performance issues?