In case you are considering of shopping for an older iPhone, or questioning whether or not it’s value updating your present handset, one essential issue to think about is for the way lengthy Apple shall be providing assist for that handset.
There are two methods through which Apple helps iPhones. One is the software program – making certain that any bugs and safety flaws are addressed. The opposite is the {hardware} – offering the components and labor to repair an issue along with your telephone (for a value, after all).
It’s for that reason that we dissuade folks from shopping for significantly previous iPhone handsets. The danger {that a} fault may happen or that you just could be uncovered to safety dangers is simply too excessive.
The excellent news is that Apple does a minimum of assist iPhones for a very long time. Software program assist lasts round a decade, whereas {hardware} assist may be accessible on 5 to seven-year-old handsets
Learn on to search 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 one can get a damaged iPhone fastened and what Apple product repairs price and the way lengthy they take.
How lengthy does Apple assist iOS?
As of 2023, Apple helps the final two variations of its working methods for bug and safety updates: iOS 16 and iOS 15. All telephones that would run iOS 14 and iOS 13 are in a position to run iOS 15, so which means all telephones from iPhone 6s forwards are supported.
However really, Apple does assist iOS 12 as nicely, which brings software program assist to the iPhones 6 and 5s. In January 2023 Apple up to date iOS 12 with a safety replace to deal with severe safety flaws. Nevertheless, we don’t anticipate these telephones to be supported for for much longer.
As soon as iOS 17 launches in late 2023 we anticipate that Apple will cease supporting iOS 12, solely sustaining assist for iOS 17, iOS 16 and iOS 15. At that time, in case you are nonetheless utilizing an iPhone 5s or iPhone 6, will probably be time to improve.
Statista (a supplier of market and client information) 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 the way lengthy the software program on iPhones has been supported by Apple, and the excellent news is that assist for the working methods on older iPhones – together with safety and value updates – has continued for years after these telephones had been offered, particularly among the many newer iPhones.
For the early telephones the assist wasn’t something to shout about, however as of the iPhone 4s, which arrived in 2011, Apple’s assist has lasted for years (and nonetheless continues).
Statista
The primary iPhone, which launched in 2007, was in a position to 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 in a position to 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 assist elevated with the launch of the iPhone 4s in 2011. That telephone was in a position to run working methods all the best way as much as iOS 9. Apple was nonetheless supporting iOS 9 in 2019 when it issued a GPS associated replace that July. The iPhones 4 and 4s are thought-about out of date by Apple.
The iPhone 5c runs iOS 10, which additionally acquired the GPS associated 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 units that don’t assist iOS 15. We don’t anticipate that Apple will proceed assist for iOS 12 for for much longer. 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 taken into account classic by Apple.
iOS 16, which arrived in September 2022 runs on all iPhones from the iPhone 8 onwards – however do observe that not all options can be found on the older handsets.
iOS 17 will arrive within the fall 2023 and when it does it is going to run on all iPhones from the iPhone XS onwards – that means the iPhone X and iPhone 8 shall be caught with iOS 16.
What’s the oldest iPhone nonetheless supported?
At the moment, the oldest iPhone that’s supported by Apple is the iPhone 5s, however the assist for that iPhone and the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus will doubtless finish when iOS 17 arrives.
We’d advise that in case you have an iPhone 6 or older and are involved about safety it’s time to replace your iPhone as a result of it’s doubtless that no extra safety updates shall be issued by Apple after iOS 17 arrives, that means that the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 won’t be supported by Apple and the oldest iPhone to be supported would be the iPhone 6S and the unique iPhone SE.
We’ve an inventory of each model of iOS the place you may 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 displaying, however in case you have a fault along with your iPhone will Apple be capable to present the components to repair it with?
Apple will assist iPhones (and all units it makes) for seven years from the final time it offered that exact mannequin. So so long as your iPhone was nonetheless being offered by Apple as much as seven years in the past the corporate will nonetheless service it – in different phrases: aid you repair it (for a value).
That is the place Apple record of out of date and classic merchandise is available in.
Apple states on its web site right here that “House owners of iPhone, iPad, iPod or Mac merchandise could acquire a service and components from Apple or Apple service suppliers for 5 years after the product is now not offered.”
The next iPhones are thought-about Out of date, which implies gross sales had 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 are actually out of date)
- iPhone 4s
- iPhone 5c (discontinued September 2013, out of date in 2021)
And these iPhones are listed as Classic, which implies they not been offered for greater than 5 years (however lower than seven years). Apple will nonetheless service these merchandise.
- iPhone 4 8GB (discontinued in 2013, however offered in India till February 2014, more likely to be out of date very quickly)
- iPhone 5 (discontinued September 2013, more likely to grow to be out of date quickly)
- iPhone 5S (discontinued in 2016, classic in 2021)
- iPhone 6 (discontinued in 2016, classic in 2021)
- iPhone 6 Plus (discontinued in 2016, classic in 2021)
- iPhone 6s (discontinued in 2016, classic in 2022)
- iPhone 6s Plus (discontinued in 2018, classic in 2022)
Apple will solely service iPhones older than the iPhone 6s if it has the required components. All iPhones that adopted these handsets ought to be supported by Apple.
This means that whereas the iPhone 6s could get software program assist for some time but, it might not be potential to fix it if it will get damaged.
You might also have an interest to find out how lengthy Apple helps Macs for.
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