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Apple Services Except iCloud to Stop Working on Some Older Software Versions
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So how long will it be till Apple only supports your device for 5 years, then not only will stop giving it updates but stop its services working in it at that same time too? If they follow that path, speculation at this point, then that is the perfect example of planned obsolescence.
Great for all those landfills, Apple caring so much about the environment whilst seemingly forcing you to upgrade every few years even if your device works perfectly fine.
But the worry is as we've seen, Apple seems to be moving to a 5 year time limit on OS support for all its devices. After that you'll get a couple of security updates, maybe. A 4K Apple TV works perfectly fine now, but in 5 years? And what if they stop OS updates then and stop there own app support, so no Apple TV app on your Apple TV, and what if they force other apps to have to update which means they don't work on older OS versions, they do that now even, which stops those working on your OS version too.
All whilst your perfectly happy with your hardware which may still be working perfectly fine.
A lot of what if's and it will be interesting to see which path Apple follows here.
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At first I was panicking but then read it again and realized it is just a couple early minor point releases for only one main OS version that wouldn't be working. No issues at all unless you are trying to upgrade to 10.13.6 from 10.13. Whew!
Who still is running macOS 10.13-10.13.3? I don't know any! But those that want uncompromised 32-bit Mac software are running 10.13.6.
Who still is running macOS 10.13-10.13.3? I don't know any! But those that want uncompromised 32-bit Mac software are running 10.13.6.
Reading more of this thread tells me, many don't read and think before typing. 
I first read it wrong but just read it again and saw that it wasn't macOS 13 but 10.13.3. Of course reading this in the middle of my night didn't help me any.
Nothing is lost with what Apple is doing but there seems to be some type of security issue that only effects those beginning versions. And it is enough of an issue to cut them off.
I first read it wrong but just read it again and saw that it wasn't macOS 13 but 10.13.3. Of course reading this in the middle of my night didn't help me any.Nothing is lost with what Apple is doing but there seems to be some type of security issue that only effects those beginning versions. And it is enough of an issue to cut them off.
I think it’s a very good move and an advantage for all future customers.
Apple services except for iCloud will stop working on some older iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS versions starting in early May, according to information shared by Twitter account @StellaFudge, a source with a proven track record.
Users will not be able to access any Apple services except for iCloud on these software versions:
In an internal document, Apple said affected users might receive a push notification prompting them to update their device to a newer software version.
- iOS 11 through iOS 11.2.6
- macOS 10.13 through macOS 10.13.3
- watchOS 4 through watchOS 4.2.3
- tvOS 11 through tvOS 11.2.6
"Some older software versions will no longer support Apple Services like the App Store, Siri, and Maps," said Apple, in a support document published last month. "Update your software to the latest available version to continue using these services."
Apple did not explain why most of its services will stop working with these older software versions, released between late 2017 and early 2018, but the move will affect only a small percentage of users. As of mid-February, for example, Apple said only 8% of actively used iPhones were running iOS 14 or older.
Apple offers a wide range of services, including Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and others.
We've reached out to Apple for comment and will update this story if we hear back.
Article Link: Apple Services Except iCloud to Stop Working on Some Older Software Versions
In the case Apple cuts off old devices, iCloud services have to prove to be very good and reliable in comparison. Simply because every customer that was cut off through that decision needs to be reattracted again. Why upgrading for a weak product? When you are outside the ecosystem you think hopefully twice before putting down 1500$ for a new “phone” plus iCloud fee.
Besides, you can always access iCloud through a web browser.
We still enjoy an excellent 2011 iMac 27" with maxed out specs and new ssd for office, communication and kids games. Sad that we need to give up iMessage/FaceTime because of the OS. I guess we perhaps could hack in a newer version.. Or wait - Updated High Sierra still supported?
THgis seems less like at attempt to pull everything from older devices and and more a nudge to get people to update due to vulnerabilities. The versions affected are weirdly specific. For example maps, podcasts, app store etc will all continue to work on an old iOS9 device like a 4S. Heck, you can still used the old photo stream service on an iPhone 4!
I might knock Apple for their ability to con users into paying over £1k for features mid-range Android phones have but their software support is second to none.
I might knock Apple for their ability to con users into paying over £1k for features mid-range Android phones have but their software support is second to none.
Sales are down. Got to give people a nudge occasionally.
I don't understand why people are complaining. All Macs 2009 or older can update to 10.13.6 which will still be supported. Only Macs older than 2009 will be affected. Those are machines almost 15 years old! How many of those do you think are still out there? I mean percentage wise ... very very few. And if you are one of those still owning such a machine you can't complain to Apple that they are not supporting anymore your 15 years old machine. Come on guys ...
Yeah, this is not the final version of that major release for any the OS'. If you had a device that supported these versions, they will work with later, supported, versions.
I'd say it's a safe bet that there's some security reason or some APIs they want to kill off.
Said the non-technical person.
I have a 5G iPod Touch with iOS 9 and still rock Apple Music there flawlessly. Surely I don't have all the features I have on my iPhone, but I like it for casual listening to music within the house without being connected to anything else, just music and that's it. Does this mean I will lose Apple Music there then? Bad news.
A large proportion of this thread indicates a couple of things:
- Perhaps MacRumors could do a better job of wording posts/headlines
- People’s reading comprehension is not as high as it could be
He didn’t mean “latest version out there” (i.e iOS 16.x) he meant the latest revision of the release running on the device.
I.e, if your Mac is running macOS 10.13.0 (the very first release of high sierra and to be affected by these service cuts) it should be updated to macOS 10.13.6, which has security, vulnerability, bugs, performance, drivers, etc, etc fixes and patches.
Example, I have a first gen iPad Air as an utility screen, it was released on November 2013 9 years and a half ago (it still works, haven’t even had to change the battery, didn’t “planned obsolescence” die on me, etc), and it’s stuck on iOS 12.
However, the latest iOS 12 was in January 2023 (just a couple of months ago), iOS 12.5.7:
I’m not saying that they have or don’t have an underlying greedy drive to make us buy new products, but I think it’s possible that part of the reason is that devices without the latest vulnerability and security fixes might pose a problem for the whole service and, by extension, for everybody.
Overkill? Maybe. But it only takes one instance of one bad actor to exploit any of that and affect hundreds of millions of users.
Ahh ok it was late and I think I had a dyslexic moment. I read series 0 as supporting up to 4.2.3, which is the affected one. I stand corrected! As long as no device is left in the dust then I have no problem here.
But only those on iOS 11.2.6 and lower will be affected, and those are way lower than that figure.
And regardless of how many those are, only iPhone 5S and lower will not be able to upgrade to a supported OS.
Please excuse Apple for not fully supporting 10 years old devices.
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