Users of older Apple devices, including the iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV, may soon face the loss of access to essential Apple services such as the App Store, Siri, and Maps. This potential issue has raised concerns among users who rely on these functionalities for their daily tasks and entertainment. However, there’s no need for alarm, as the situation is not as dire as it may first appear. The reasons behind this change are multifaceted and can be addressed with some proactive measures.
The alarming news comes from the well-known leaker StellaFudge(Opens in a brand-new tab), as reported by MacReports. They assert that access to critical Apple services, excluding iCloud, will be terminated for devices operating on iOS versions 11 to 11.2.6, macOS versions 10.13 to 10.13.3, watchOS versions 4 to 4.2.3, and tvOS versions 11 to 11.2.6. This situation raises questions about the longevity and usability of older devices in the ever-evolving technological landscape.
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This information is partially validated by an official support document from Apple(Opens in a brand-new tab), which states that “certain older software versions will no longer support Apple Services like the App Store, Siri, and Maps.” While Apple has not provided a specific timeline for when this change will take effect, they have assured users that those operating on outdated software will receive notifications regarding the upcoming changes. This proactive communication is essential for users to prepare for potential service disruptions.
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It’s crucial to note that the software versions referenced by StellaFudge are quite outdated and have been succeeded by newer iterations, which users can easily upgrade to. For example, the latest version of iOS 11 is 11.4.1, while the most recent version of macOS High Sierra (10.13) is 10.13.6. This indicates that the majority of users should not find themselves operating on these older software versions, as doing so could expose them to bugs and security vulnerabilities. While there may be some exceptions, such as developers testing legacy software, these cases are likely rare.
Moreover, a significant majority of Apple users are already on more recent software versions(Opens in a brand-new tab). According to an Apple support record dated February 14, 2023, 72 percent of all iPhones are currently running iOS 16, 20 percent are on iOS 15, and a mere 8 percent are still using earlier software versions. This data underscores Apple’s success in encouraging users to keep their devices updated, thereby enhancing overall security and functionality.
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