If you’re pondering of shopping for an older era or used iPhone, or questioning whether or not it’s price updating your present handset, one necessary issue to contemplate is how lengthy Apple will probably be providing help for that handset.
There are two methods by which Apple helps iPhones. One is the software program – guaranteeing that any bugs and safety flaws are addressed. The opposite is the {hardware} – offering the elements and labor to repair an issue along with your cellphone (for a value, in fact).
It’s because of this that we dissuade folks from shopping for notably outdated iPhone handsets. The chance {that a} fault might happen or that you simply is likely to be uncovered to safety dangers is just too excessive.
The excellent news is that Apple does help iPhones for a fairly very long time. Software program help lasts greater than eight to 10 years, whereas {hardware} help could be obtainable on 5 to seven-year-old handsets
Learn on to seek out out which iPhones are supported with the newest working methods, and that are supported for servicing and repairs.
We even have a information to how you can get a damaged iPhone mounted and what Apple product repairs value and the way lengthy they take.
How lengthy does Apple help iOS?
Once in a while Apple points necessary safety updates for iOS. It doesn’t problem an replace for each model of iOS although, which signifies that some iPhones is not going to get this repair for what could possibly be harmful vulnerabilities.
As of June 2024, Apple helps the next variations of its working methods for bug and safety updates: iOS 17, iOS 16 and iOS 15. When iOS 18 launches in September 2024, it’s doubtless that Apple will drop help for iOS 15 and with it help for the iOS iPhones 7, 6S, 6S Plus and 1st gen SE.
Observe that the iPhone 6s, authentic SE, and iPhone 8 are already thought-about ‘Classic’ by Apple and the iPhone 6 Plus is taken into account ‘Out of date’–extra on that under. (Apple doesn’t must help iOS 14 and iOS 13 as a result of all iPhones that ran these OSs can run iOS 15).
In January 2023, Apple issued a safety replace for iOS 12, which addressed severe safety flaws within the iPhones 6 and 5s in addition to some iPads that may’t run iPadOS. Nevertheless, that was the final replace to iOS 12, so in case you are nonetheless utilizing an iPhone 5s or iPhone 6 an improve is lengthy overdue.
Statista (a supplier of market and client knowledge) publishes a chart that reveals how lengthy Apple helps older iPhones. The corporate up to date this chart in June 2023, including iOS 17.
The graph reveals for a way lengthy the software program on iPhones has been supported by Apple, and the excellent news is that safety help for the working methods has continued for years after these telephones have been bought, particularly among the many newer iPhones.
The primary iPhone, which launched in 2007, was capable of run iPhone OS 3, which was supported by Apple up till 2010. The iPhone is taken into account out of date by Apple.
The iPhone 3G, which launched in 2008, was capable of run iOS 4.0, which was itself supported till 2011. The iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS are thought-about out of date by Apple.
The size of help elevated with the launch of the iPhone 4s in 2011. That cellphone was capable of run working methods all the way in which as much as iOS 9. Apple was nonetheless supporting iOS 9 in 2019 when it issued a GPS-related replace that July. The iPhones 4 and 4s are thought-about out of date by Apple.
The iPhone 5c runs iOS 10, which additionally obtained the GPS-related replace in July 2019. The iPhones 5 and 5c are thought-about out of date by Apple.
The iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 each run iOS 12, for which Apple issued a safety replace in January 2023. This replace was issued for these few gadgets that don’t help iOS 15. Apple is unlikely to proceed help for iOS 12. These telephones are thought-about classic by Apple.
iOS 15, which arrived in September 2021, helps all iPhones from iPhone 6s onwards, simply as with iOS 14 and iOS 13. Each iOS 14 and 13 are thought-about out of date by Apple as a result of the identical telephones can run iOS 15. The iPhone 6s is already thought-about classic by Apple.
iOS 16, which arrived in September 2022 runs on all iPhones from the iPhone 8 onwards – however do be aware that not all options can be found on the older handsets.
iOS 17 arrived in September 2023 and runs on all iPhones from the iPhone XS onwards – which means the iPhone X and iPhone 8 will probably be caught with iOS 16.
iOS 18 is coming in September 2024 and, like iOS 17, will run on all iPhones from the iPhone XS onwards.
What’s the oldest iPhone nonetheless supported?
Since Apple isn’t persevering with help for iOS 12, there isn’t a software program help for the iPhone 5s, the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. These telephones are already thought-about ‘Classic’ by Apple (see under).
We advise that when you have an iPhone 6 or older and are involved about safety it’s time to replace your iPhone. It’s because Apple is unlikely to problem any extra safety updates for that cellphone.
Apple continues to help iOS 15 (for now), so the oldest iPhone to be supported is the iPhone 6S, nonetheless, this mannequin can also be already in Apple’s classic listing, so we’d nonetheless advocate updating to a more recent iPhone. It’s an analogous story with the unique iPhone SE.
When Apple introduces iOS 18 later in 2024 we anticipate that help for iOS 15 will finish, and with it help for something older than the iPhone 8 (which launched in September 2017).
We have now an inventory of each model of iOS the place you possibly can see the newest variations of iOS and the way lengthy Apple helps iOS for.
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When does Apple cease supporting iPhones?
By way of software program that’s not a foul exhibiting, but when your iPhone has a fault will Apple be capable of present the elements to repair it with?
Apple will help iPhones (and all gadgets it makes) for seven years from the final time it bought that specific mannequin. So so long as your iPhone was nonetheless being bought by Apple as much as seven years in the past the corporate will nonetheless service it – in different phrases: assist you to repair it (for a value).
That is the place Apple listing of out of date and classic merchandise is available in.
Apple states on its web site right here that “Homeowners of iPhone, iPad, iPod or Mac merchandise could acquire a service and elements from Apple or Apple service suppliers for 5 years after the product is now not bought.”
The next iPhones are thought-about Out of date, which implies gross sales have been discontinued greater than seven years in the past and Apple has now discontinued all {hardware} servicing.
- iPhone
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 4 (sure fashions at the moment are out of date)
- iPhone 4s
- iPhone 5c (discontinued September 2013, out of date in 2021)
- iPhone 5S (discontinued in 2016, classic in 2021, out of date in 2024)
- iPhone 6 Plus (discontinued in 2016, classic in 2021, out of date in 2024)
And these iPhones are listed as Classic, which implies they not been bought for greater than 5 years (however lower than seven years). Apple will nonetheless service these merchandise.
- iPhone 4 8GB (discontinued in 2013, however bought in India till February 2014, prone to be out of date very quickly)
- iPhone 5 (discontinued September 2013, prone to grow to be out of date quickly)
- iPhone 6 (discontinued in 2016, classic in 2021)
- iPhone 6s (discontinued in 2016, classic in 2022)
- iPhone 6s Plus (discontinued in 2018, classic in 2022)
- iPhone SE, 2016 (discontinued in 2018, classic in 2023)
- iPhone 8 (discontinued in 2020, classic in 2024)
- iPhone 8 Plus (discontinued in 2020, classic in 2024)
Apple will solely service iPhones on the classic listing if it has the required elements. All iPhones that adopted these handsets ought to be supported by Apple.
You might also have an interest to be taught how lengthy Apple helps Macs for and how lengthy Apple helps iPads for.
Is your iPhone slipping into obscurity? Discover a nice deal on a brand new iPhone right here or examine the most effective costs under and try our round-up to decide on the Greatest iPhone for you.