How lengthy does Apple assist iPhones?

If you happen to’re contemplating shopping for an older technology or used iPhone, or questioning if it is price upgrading your present telephone, an vital issue to contemplate is how lengthy Apple will present assist for that telephone.

There are two methods wherein Apple helps iPhones. The primary is the software program – which ensures that any errors and safety flaws are addressed. The opposite is {hardware} – offering components and labor to repair an issue along with your telephone (for a value, after all).

That is why we discourage folks from shopping for older iPhones particularly. The chance that an error could happen or that you could be be uncovered to a safety danger may be very excessive.

The excellent news is that Apple has been supporting iPhones for a fairly very long time. Software program assist lasts greater than eight to 10 years, whereas {hardware} assist may be out there on telephones which might be 5 to seven years previous.

Learn on to search out out which iPhones are supported by the newest working techniques, and which of them are supported for upkeep and repairs.

We even have a information on the right way to repair and repair a damaged iPhone How much do Apple product repairs cost and how long do they take?

How lengthy does Apple assist iOS?

Once in a while, Apple releases vital safety updates for iOS. Nevertheless, it does not launch an replace for each model of iOS, which implies some iPhones will not get this repair for what could possibly be severe vulnerabilities.

As of September 2023, Apple helps the next variations of its working techniques for bug and safety updates: iOS 17, iOS 16, and (we assume) iOS 15. If Apple now not helps safety updates for iOS 15, iPhone 7 is not going to be supported. 2016, 2016 iPhone SE and 2015 iPhone 6S. Observe that the iPhone 6s is taken into account out of date by Apple – extra on that under. (Apple does not must assist iOS 14 and iOS 13 as a result of they’ll run iOS 15.)

In January 2023, Apple additionally launched a safety replace for iOS 12, which addressed severe safety flaws within the iPhone 6 and 5s in addition to some iPads that can’t run iPadOS. Nevertheless, we do not anticipate Apple to launch any extra updates for iOS 12. If you happen to’re nonetheless utilizing an iPhone 5s or iPhone 6, it is time to actually improve.

Statista (a market and shopper knowledge supplier) publishes a chart displaying how lengthy Apple helps older iPhones. The corporate up to date this chart in June 2023, including iOS 17.

The chart reveals how lengthy Apple has supported the software program on iPhones, and the excellent news is that safety assist for working techniques has continued for years after these telephones have been bought, particularly amongst newer iPhones.

Statesman

the primary iPhonewhich was launched in 2007, was able to working iPhone OS 3, which was supported by Apple till 2010. The iPhone is taken into account out of date by Apple.

the iPhone 3Gwhich launched in 2008, was able to working iOS 4.0, which itself was supported till 2011. Apple considers the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS out of date.

The period of assist elevated with launch iPhone 4s In 2011. This telephone was able to working working techniques as much as iOS 9. Apple was nonetheless supporting iOS 9 in 2019 when it launched a GPS-related replace in July of that yr. The iPhone 4 and 4s are thought of out of date by Apple.

the iPhone 5C It runs on iOS 10, which additionally acquired a GPS-related replace in July 2019. The iPhone 5 and 5c are thought of legacy by Apple.

the iPhone 5s And iPhone 6 They each run iOS 12, for which Apple launched a safety replace in January 2023. This replace was launched for these few units that do not assist iOS 15. We do not anticipate Apple to proceed supporting iOS 12 for for much longer. These telephones are thought of out of date by Apple.

iOS 15, which arrived in September 2021, helps all iPhones from… iPhone 6s Onward, identical to with iOS 14 and iOS 13. Apple considers each iOS 14 and 13 out of date as a result of the identical telephones can run iOS 15. The iPhone 6s is already thought of out of date by Apple.

iOS 16, which arrived in September 2022, runs on all iPhones beginning with iPhone 8 onwards – however observe that not all options can be found on older telephones.

iOS 17 arrived in September 2023 and works on all iPhones beginning with iPhone onwards – which implies the iPhone X and iPhone 8 will nonetheless be caught with iOS 16.

Which is the oldest iPhone nonetheless supported?

If Apple continues to assist iOS 12, the oldest iPhone supported by Apple would be the iPhone 5s. The iPhone and iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are unlikely to proceed to be supported, as Apple considers each of those telephones already out of date (see under).

Subsequently, we advise you that you probably have an iPhone 6 or older and are involved about safety, it’s time to replace your iPhone as a result of it’s doable that Apple is not going to launch any extra safety updates, which signifies that the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 is not going to launch any extra safety updates. To be supported by Apple.

If Apple continues to assist iOS 15, the oldest iPhone that will likely be supported would be the iPhone 6S, which can be already on Apple’s legacy listing.

Ultimately, solely iOS 14 and later will likely be supported, at which level the oldest iPhone to obtain safety updates would be the iPhone 8.

We have now a listing of each iOS model the place you may see the newest iOS variations and the way lengthy Apple helps iOS.

IDG

When does Apple cease supporting iPhones?

By way of software program, it isn’t a nasty proposition, however you probably have a bug along with your iPhone, will Apple have the ability to present the components to repair it?

Apple will assist iPhones (and all units it makes) for seven years from the final time it bought that exact mannequin. So, so long as Apple continues to be promoting your iPhone from 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’s listing of older and older merchandise is available in.

Apple states on its web site right here that “house owners of iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Mac merchandise could receive service and components from Apple or Apple service suppliers for 5 years after the product ceases to be bought.”

iPhones are subsequent OutdatedWhich implies gross sales stopped greater than seven years in the past, and Apple has now discontinued all {hardware} companies.

• 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)

These iPhones are listed as basicWhich implies it shouldn’t be bought for greater than 5 years (however lower than seven years). Apple will proceed to service these merchandise.

• iPhone 4 8GB (discontinued in 2013, however bought in India till February 2014, will probably grow to be out of date very quickly)
• iPhone 5 (discontinued September 2013, prone to be out of date quickly)
• iPhone 5s (discontinued in 2016, resuming manufacturing in 2021)
• iPhone 6 (discontinued in 2016, resuming manufacturing in 2021)
• iPhone 6 Plus (discontinued in 2016, resuming manufacturing in 2021)
• iPhone 6s (discontinued in 2016, resuming manufacturing in 2022)
• iPhone 6s Plus (discontinued in 2018, out of date in 2022)

Apple will service iPhones older than the iPhone 6s provided that they’ve the required components. aApple should assist all iPhones that adopted these telephones.

This means that whereas the iPhone 6s could have software program assist for some time, it is probably not doable to repair it if it breaks.

You may additionally be involved in realizing how lengthy Apple helps Macs and the way lengthy Apple helps iPads.

Is your iPhone slipping into obscurity? You’ll find an ideal deal on a brand new iPhone right here or try the perfect costs under.