Check your iPhone NOW: Apple is cutting support for App Store, Siri and Maps on several smartphones
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If you’re the proud owner of a retro iPhone that’s more than 10 years old, you may soon be forced to upgrade.
That’s because Apple is discontinuing support for several online services, such as the App Store, Siri, and Maps, on devices running iOS 11 through iOS 11.2.6.
So if you own a handset that can’t at least upgrade to iOS 11.3, it will be largely deprecated from May 2023.
While Apple is known to stop providing bug and security updates for older operating systems, this is the first time it has actively reduced their functionality.
Currently, any iPhone running any version of iOS 11 can be updated to at least iOS 12.5.4, including the iPhone 5S and later, so these services can still be used.
Those with an iPhone 5 (pictured) or older will not be able to update after iOS 10.3.4, so if Apple also removes services from operating systems older than iOS 11, these devices will no longer work
Trusted Apple leaker @StellaFudge broke the news via Twitter, but said iCloud still works for iPhones running iOS 11 through iOS 11.2.6
But those with an iPhone 5 or older are still stuck with iOS 10.3.4, as Apple hasn’t made newer operating systems available for those devices.
It is not yet known whether access to these Apple services will also be removed for devices with a version of iOS 10 or older.
It wouldn’t be surprising if it did though, and this would essentially turn those smartphones into phones, which can only really make and receive calls.
This could cause problems for companies that provide older, cheaper iPhones to employees, or for Apple users who don’t want to buy new devices.
Trusted Apple leaker @StellaFudge broke the news via Twitter, but said iCloud still works for iPhones running iOS 11 up to iOS 11.2.6.
The tweet added that some Mac computers, Macbook laptops, Apple Watches and Apple TVs may also have access to the services removed.
These are all computers with macOS 10.13 to 10.13.3, all watches with watchOS 4 to 4.2.3, and TVs with tvOS 11-11.2.6.
Macs and Macbooks that cannot be updated after macOS 10.13.3 include MacBook (Late 2009), iMac (Late 2009), MacBook Air (Late 2010), MacBook Pro (Mid 2010), and Mac Mini (Mid 2010).
The only Apple Watch that cannot be updated from watchOS 4.2.3 is the original Apple Watch, also known as Series 0.
Any Apple TV up to and including the third generation released in 2012 cannot update after tvOS 11.2.6.
While leaks don’t always turn out to be correct, an article from Apple released last month does support it.
It tells users how to update the software on their Apple device if they receive a notification that their current version no longer supports Apple Services, such as the App Store, Siri, and Maps.
The only Apple Watch that can’t be updated from watchOS 4.2.3 is the original Apple Watch (pictured), also known as Series 0, which came out in 2015
Any Apple TV up to the third generation (pictured), released in 2012, can’t be updated after tvOS 11.2.6, so you won’t be able to access certain Apple services from May
It’s currently unclear why Apple is now reducing the functionality of older operating systems, but it could be in preparation for an update that would break support for them, it said. 9to5Mac.
But the move is unlikely to affect many devices, as only 8 percent of iPhones are currently running an operating system older than iOS 15.
The most recent update, iOS 16.4, was released last week and came with a range of new features, including the addition of 21 new emoji to the keyboard.
This includes the long-awaited pink heart icon, as well as a shaking face (“I’m shook”), a moose, stem ginger, the Wi-Fi symbol, and a pair of maracas.
Software updates from Apple don’t always go smoothly, which explains why some are hesitant to launch them when they are offered.
Some of those who updated to iOS 16.4 complained that a system bug drains their device’s battery quickly.
Earlier this week, iPhone users around the world were unable to access live forecasts on the Apple Weather app, which some also linked to their new operating system.
Apple is announcing its next big event where it is expected to launch a HUGE new product
After nearly eight years of development, Apple is expected to finally unveil its long-awaited mixed reality headset in June.
The tech giant has confirmed that its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) will take place between June 5 and June 9.
Apple published a blog post confirming the dates with a cryptic promo image featuring curved colored lines – a possible nod to the headset.
While it didn’t mention the headset in the announcement, respected leaker Mark Gurman has said it will finally get its public debut in June.
It will reportedly have 10 cameras and an operating system called realityOS with mixed reality versions of Apple apps like FaceTime and Maps.
Read more here
A glimpse of the new headset? A cryptic promo image for this year’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) features curved colored lines