Have One of These 16 Apple Devices? Software Support Ends This Fall

[Dirk Pieters]

We have been traveling with the wife for three weeks now. She did not bring her Apple Watch with her. I have mine, but I don’t care about the rings on vacation; we have started to think that these might be our last Apple Watches (Series 7 and 9).

I used to have an Apple Watch and while I get the ring thing and the benefits behind it, it all felt a bit forced. Felt like this thing around my wrist that forced me to do things. Also, hardly a moment's peace because while I can put the phone in my pocket that watch just keeps beeping.

Felt a lot better getting rid of it.

 

[Dirk Pieters]

£800 for an Apple Watch Ultra in 2022, and only 4 years of support. What a joke.

£800 for 48 months equals £16 per month. Most hobbies are more expensive than that.

Plus: it's not like it will stop working all of a sudden.

 

[TheAngryKiwi]

Nothing. Just curious why would a Linux user frequent Mac site and being the first to comment no less.

Obsession and regret.

 

[Squidiey]

And a waste of time dealing with Linux/hardware compatibility issues. The only way I would run Linux is if the hardware vendor guaranteed support, like Framework does.

Unfortunately, Frameworks laptops are insanely expensive for what they are once you check a few boxes in the configurator.

I installed Linux Mint on my computer and it runs like a breeze out of the box

 

[Squidiey]

Enjoy your integrated ecosystem. Think you’ll get tired of it in the future because today it feels like a win and independence. Tomorrow it will be a prison.

nah

 

[iMac The Knife]

Title is misleading to folks who don't pay attention to how Apple software works. They still get supported software just not the latest OS.

You honestly think four years of OS updates is enough?

 

[iMac The Knife]

Imagine buying a new device in 2022, only for it to lose full OS support four years later. Remember when we bought devices that easily lasted 20+ years because they were made well and didn't rely on software that would fall out of support just a few years later? Pepperidge Farm remembers...

 

[Steves Padawan]

Imagine buying a new device in 2022, only for it to lose full OS support four years later. Remember when we bought devices that easily lasted 20+ years because they were made well and didn't rely on software that would fall out of support just a few years later? Pepperidge Farm remembers...

Old laptop was fine from 2009 until 2023/2024 when steam needed newer os, so all library was unplayable, i can use it now only on youtube and web... none of programs will work on him, system is unsupported, but it worked so many years


apple watch SE2 has bug in closing notifications on watch os 26.5 so fix on 27 wont come to my device...
older iPad Pro 2017 was perfect until it doesnt have support for any modern apps, so i upgraded ios, but battery isnt available for changes in service places....

i worked in mobile idustry for a while, most of people were upgrading because they need new software for running bank and other apps, so perfectly working phones become old during 3 years, those who bought older ios devices have shorter time of usade because of that, thats reason why we need new one with at least 6-7 years of support (10 should be standard but no one has it)

 

[Javah]

I am a bit annoyed by this. My wife's Apple Watch 4 got 7 years of support. Mine (Apple Watch 8) only has 3 years of support. It is not that I need the new features. But why not the new UI, but not all the Siri AI features? The UI is not that demanding anyway. It is only a watch.

 

[eclipse01]

Imagine buying a new device in 2022, only for it to lose full OS support four years later. Remember when we bought devices that easily lasted 20+ years because they were made well and didn't rely on software that would fall out of support just a few years later? Pepperidge Farm remembers...

To be fair (not sticking up for apple in any way on this).....

a 4 year old apple watch has pretty bad battery depreciation and you probably should upgrade soon anyway, unless you like charging midway through the day some time just to make it through a day.

 

[SmugMaverick]

Yeah but it’s 7 years of OS Updates apply to the Pixel 8 and up. At least with iPhones the 11 lineup gets a extra 7 years on top of its base OS and that was released before COVID was a thing

And yet the Pixel 6 series from 2021 which promised 3 years of updates is still being updated to Android 17.

Just because the iPhone 11 is getting some form of update with zero new features, doesn't mean Apple get a pat on the back.

 

[jicon]

Always comes down to RAM or processor family on these decisions unfortunately. That's a big oof seeing so many years of Apple Watches losing OS iterations.

 

[123jmail]

It's strange because Apple TV has only had two updates since the release of the model that Apple has labeled "obsolete". While it might make sense given the release date of the model but Apple actually sold this now obsolete model (likely at full price) up until April 2021 (per MacRumors' Buyers Guide).

If you purchased this now obsolete model in March of 2021, you only received about 5 years of support. That's a far cry from Apple's typical support period.

We're looking right now at an even longer Apple TV update window (Don't Buy per MacRumor's Buyer's Guide). It's just a dangerous product to invest in and Apple is proving the point by dropping the support without any regard for customers who purchased late in the product's update cycle.

 

[1rottenapple]

Damn I ultra 1 lost support. Eh its ok. As long as the current functions work I'm fine with it.

 

[123jmail]

Title is misleading to folks who don't pay attention to how Apple software works. They still get supported software just not the latest OS.

I don't think it's a misleading title; they can't squeeze an entire explanation of how software support and updates work in a headline. The title's meant to give you an idea of what's contain beyond the click and I think it does that efficiently.

What do you think would have been a better headline? I might see your point more clearly with an example.

 

[iHorseHead]

But not for long.

I also have an Ultra 2. I bought it when it was released (Sep 2023) but I think 2026 will be the optimal year to replace it if Apple's upgrading processors (not just the chip) on a 3-year cycle.

I guess we'll see in September.

I still use the original Apple Watch SE. No problems here. Does everything I need

 

[Artemis70]

They are chopping off watches at the 4 year mark, so you shouldn't get your hopes up.

I think it is much worse. The SE 2 was sold by Apple until September 2025, less than a year ago. The SE 3 was only introduced less than a year ago, wasn't it? So this means that a one-year old watch is no longer supported by Apple.

 

[Artemis70]

This is why? Apple supports devices with latest versions for years, and even longer with security and bugfixes. Apple devices last a long, long time.

Apple is indeed supporting phones with latest version for years. This year, we see that it is only the phones. The watches and iPads do not receive the same treatment.

 

[aevan]

Apple is indeed supporting phones with latest version for years. This year, we see that it is only the phones. The watches and iPads do not receive the same treatment.

Macs, iPhones and iPads all get many years of support.

 

[urnotl33t]

Right because you said it was a collaborative document, right? Presumably others do run 26 so it breaks compatibility with your device. Yeah, those things are tough, as someone who runs older iOS versions like I said and as someone who is used to this, it is still annoying when this happens. And perhaps in this case the workaround is really poor, because you can’t even access it with the same device at all. I see how that is annoying.

Yeah, this is very understandable. There are some things you need and sometimes there is now workaround or the workaround that exists is too inconvenient. These are the limits of staying behind. These are the only cases in which I find updating acceptable.

Sometimes some of your needs just… force you out. And there’s nothing you can do.

Honestly… in the past when that happened to me I’d just upgrade. My iPhone Xʀ on iOS 12 was my main phone until last year. I hit a compatibility wall: WhatsApp was about to drop support, the YouTube app doesn’t work, web browsing was very tough with many website just loading a blank page, the Reddit app loaded a blank app, it had come to a point where it was too much even for me, somebody who is used to tolerating this and seeking workarounds. So I upgraded to my 16 Plus, my current phone, which runs iOS 18.

My iPhone Xʀ? It is playing music next to me, still running iOS 12.

Sometimes you have to update.



Yeah, Apple pulled support notoriously quickly both last year and the year before that (so, iOS 17). It caught many by surprise who were intending to go back and couldn’t because they missed the signing deadline.

Honestly my criticism was quite stern towards users, but you are one of the exceptions: you had no good alternative this time. In your position, I’ve done the same thing in the past.

Heh, thanks for being compassionate about it. And I can take criticism, too. 😆

At this point, my iPhone SE just does Apple Pay, messages, occasional phone call, sometimes control HomePod playback, and get lots of comments when out in public. “It’s a show piece!” Much like your XR.

Oddly enough, my primary bank’s website actually works *surprisingly well* with it, too! Totally unexpected, when most websites are garbage JavaScript CPU burners. But of course their app is dead… sigh. The Chase bank website is …”functional”, at the cost of 30% battery juice. And yes, this was with “a new battery” about 5 years ago. The hardest part I’ve had to handle is tickets for a concert or something like my daughter’s orchestra performance. Omg… Ticketmaster’s site was tough.. 30-40% juice gone just waiting in line to get scanned with their time-based adaptive barcode. Low power mode only helped a little.

Can’t do the app, ya know… but the website still works. I don’t understand that. Ok I do. I know I know… it’s Xcode that does it. But come the F on.. reality isn’t matching up here.

My iPad mini does most everything else I need now. Meetings, bank apps, HomeKit control (expressly without Siri). Siri on the mini died with iPadOS 26.. it’s completely nonfunctional in any useful way. Now I’m stuck with it.

Fun fun...
(Yeah yeah .. “give it up dude!” .. but I hate all the phone shell designs. They suck. I can’t buy something I hate for $800. Would anyone? … modulo self rationalization.)

 

[urnotl33t]

A device that can't run the latest OS does not become useless. That device keeps working just like it did before.

Not quite true. Apps refuse to function or they trigger their own kill switch and die off. Now you’re just back to a stock device and you’ve lost everything you acquired along the way.
Otherwise, the device itself, and base apps… yes those do continue.

 

[Hombre53]

Agreed. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Dropping a device for the sake of dropping it.

The A12X was Apple's best processor. Absolute killer, it easily lasted 8 years and could have went longer if Apple didn't get weak and drop it. My 2018 iPad 11 Pro will soldier on.

 

[Hombre53]

I still use our 2019 27" iMac. No reason to upgrade that. Love the screen for editing photos in PS.


Daily laptop is an M1 MBA still going strong.

My 2020 27" iMac is running just fine. Shame it can't share the improvements 27 will bring <shakes head>.

 

[Hombre53]

As long as no Intel code results in a speedier more reliable and performant OS I’m ok with it.

That is a mighty assumption, and you know what happens when you assume... 26 was an absolute, god forsaken mess so the bar is relatively low, I'll give you that.

 

[FeliApple]

Heh, thanks for being compassionate about it. And I can take criticism, too. 😆

At this point, my iPhone SE just does Apple Pay, messages, occasional phone call, sometimes control HomePod playback, and get lots of comments when out in public. “It’s a show piece!” Much like your XR.

Oddly enough, my primary bank’s website actually works *surprisingly well* with it, too! Totally unexpected, when most websites are garbage JavaScript CPU burners. But of course their app is dead… sigh. The Chase bank website is …”functional”, at the cost of 30% battery juice. And yes, this was with “a new battery” about 5 years ago. The hardest part I’ve had to handle is tickets for a concert or something like my daughter’s orchestra performance. Omg… Ticketmaster’s site was tough.. 30-40% juice gone just waiting in line to get scanned with their time-based adaptive barcode. Low power mode only helped a little.

Can’t do the app, ya know… but the website still works. I don’t understand that. Ok I do. I know I know… it’s Xcode that does it. But come the F on.. reality isn’t matching up here.

Those early 64-bit devices were killed by updates, battery life is complete garbage when updated. I have an iPhone 6s (with the same processor as the 1st-gen SE you have) that Apple forced out of iOS 9 and into iOS 13 and battery life is very poor.

I updated straight from iOS 9 to 13 (again, Apple literally forced it) and I lost about 60% of the battery life I had. That is enough for the phone to go from a full-day phone with moderate use to requiring a charge by noon. From 8 hours of SOT to barely scraping 3-4.

You mentioned it on another comment, and I agree completely: the #1 issue that curtails device longevity is compatibility. Nothing we can do. As I said earlier, I just accept it and use older iPhones for music. For me at least, older, incompatible iPads are tougher to re-purpose. I have a 9.7-inch iPad Pro that Apple also forced from iOS 9 into iOS 12 (see the pattern? Devices with the A9 Processor were deactivated if they were running iOS 9 about three years after release), and compatibility today is rather poor. I have newer iPads, but yeah, it’s sad to see what fails to run. That’s developers’ fault in my opinion. They choose what to support.

I never had the 1st-gen SE and I think it’s my favourite iPhone ever. I wish I had one, especially one on iOS 10. It would be my music device. For music, I like home button iPhones, so I use an iPhone 8 (on iOS 14).

My iPad mini does most everything else I need now. Meetings, bank apps, HomeKit control (expressly without Siri). Siri on the mini died with iPadOS 26.. it’s completely nonfunctional in any useful way. Now I’m stuck with it.

Sad that iPadOS 26 works the way it does for you, but hopefully even if it isn’t perfect you can find some way to do things that either bypasses the iPad in the things that work the worst or you can find some purpose for it that isn’t too annoying to use.

As an example, I use the iPhone 6s on iOS 13 for music too sometimes and for that it’s not too bad. It’s horrible vs my 6s on iOS 10, but it’s just music. It’s fine.

Fun fun...
(Yeah yeah .. “give it up dude!” .. but I hate all the phone shell designs. They suck. I can’t buy something I hate for $800. Would anyone? … modulo self rationalization.)

I love the SE. I’d use it myself as a main iPhone if I could on iOS 10. Trust me, I get it. I wish I had one, actually.