iOS 13.4 and macOS 10.15.4 Prevent FaceTime Calls From Working With Some Older iPhones and iPads Amid Pandemic

[baryon]

It's irresponsible of you as a child if you allow your parents to keep using outdated and un-updated technology.

Hope you're joking. Not everyone lives in a first world country, not everyone can keep buying new gadgets for their entire family every couple of years. The longer they last, the better. Obviously, it will break eventually, but there is no reason to break something via software that can worked and has worked up until now. I'm appalled by this "Big corporation wants you to upgrade? Just shut up and buy a new one!" mentality. Sure, let's punish people by not allowing them to facetime each other at a time when it matters most, because they weren't doing their consumerist, capitalist duties!

I know it's hard to imagine, but many people are poor. When they have to make a decision about what to spend money on, they will spend it on food and bills before anything. And sometimes they are forced to hold on to old things that they can't upgrade because they have more important things to spend money on first. It's how the majority of people live, actually. We're just the lucky ones.

 

[johannnn]

iOS 9!?? What is this, an iPhone 4 or something? Time to move on.

 

[CarlJ]

Not being funny but if you're still using an iPhone 4s its time to move on.

In the current situation, a lot of people are making do with what they have - and what they have in the house right now. If you have an elderly relative who, say, still mostly uses a landline, but you sent them an old iPhone/iPad (after you upgraded) so that they could FaceTime with the kids (and they only use it for that one purpose), and this new change breaks that - that can be a heartbreaking situation.

And they know how to do that one thing (because you've patiently taught them, likely in person) with that iPhone/iPad (which, up until now, has served that one last task quite ably), and there's little to no chance that you're going to be able to remotely help navigate them through, say, going into the App Store and finding Skype or Zoom and installing it and setting it up and signing up for an account and learning how to use it (all that may be precisely why you sent them an old iPhone in the first place - all preconfigured for their use).

It's a reasonable use for an old device (a lot better than recycling it). And Apple should come up with a fix - even if it comes down to having to install an app called "OldFaceTime" (that uses older less secure libraries/protocols) on the newer device, in order to be able to still communicate with that old device. When all this is over, and everyone can go outside again, and everyone is less worried about money, then you can buy grandma a new iPhone.
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But... really, a 5 year old OS? Just update the software instead of whining. If you can’t update anymore cause the device is not compatible... then your phone is entirely too old. Seriously. how old must a phone be to not be compatible with iOS 10?

3 million people lost their jobs last week (and everybody is being told to stay home). A small percentage of those 3 million are using out-of-date devices (maybe up until a week ago communicating online wasn't a big deal for them). Which of them would you tell to buy a new phone right now?

 

[Gashole]

Honestly, I'm shocked that it still worked in the first place. I still have the 3rd gen iPad and it's so slow it's barely usable. Most apps don't work on it anymore and I can't download new things at all. I assumed that because of it's age it wouldn't work well with newer hardware anyway. This doesn't seem like something done on purpose. I'd put money down that testing vintage hardware/software is a best effort with no guarantees. Once the hardware becomes unsupported, start looking to upgrade.

 

[rgbrock1]

Who cares. Who is on 4 year old software which would mean they are on a 6+ year old device or just stupid. Too many security issues.

Mabye someone who simply can't afford anything newer?

 

[Dangermen]

Those are OLDER UNSUPPORTED AND UNPATCHED IOS releases. How many security FOREVER unpatched security vulnerabilities do they have? How about lots. Those devices have been abandoned for years now:

Apple Iphone Os security vulnerabilities, CVEs, versions and CVE reports

Apple Iphone Os security vulnerabilities, CVEs, exploits, metasploit modules, vulnerability statistics and list of versions

www.cvedetails.com

This should not be news. People running the old devices should recycle or disconnect the devices.

Here’s an idea:

 

[Amazing Iceman]

No excuse for shoddy testing and lack of proper disclosure. Apple shouldn't prey on seniors and force them buy a new device for something basic that's been around since 2010 plus Google Hangouts video calls still work fine on iPad 2 so no excuse for Apple.

On such old hardware, some apps don't run or are too slow. Why make an elderly person suffer trying to get things done? An iPad Air 2 would be more reasonable, but anything before that, no way! And this is not related to Apple preying on seniors; it's just that the hardware is not capable of supporting the evolving OS.

Regarding FaceTime, Apple should release an update to fix whatever changes are required now to be compatible with the current version. They have done it in the past for other reasons. We'll see.

 

[TETENAL]

1) Why can this not be clearly communicated by Apple before updating?
2) Why is there no way to downgrade to a previous version where this still works?

There is no excuse for these two points.

 

[4jasontv]

This isn't "Apple wants you to buy new hardware during the pandemic!" frankly, its sad that's the first place you went. Reality is closer to "a change was made for <bug fix, security, etc> and either broke something by accident, or simply isn't compatible with older hardware.

&

Yep, and this particular issue screams "accident" to me, nothing in the release notes for iOS 13.4 even mention changes that might have an impact on the FaceTime protocol, in fact, FaceTime is not mentioned in them at all.

Does it being an accident absolve Apple of the responsibility to fix it?

For what it's worth, my old iPhone 3g can still connect to the App Store and download the old versions of apps that developers no longer support. But I don't EXPECT it to work with the latest apps, let alone the features of the old apps.

I understand new software, but why don't you expect older apps to operate with their intended features? As long as my Macintosh Classic powers on I expect the software to continue to run as originally promised. If a company intentionally makes a server a required component of function I hold them accountable for maintaining that service until they offer customers a method of hosting their own server.

Maybe...but if it's a security issue as some are suggesting, Apple cannot and should not compromise security and/or privacy to cater to the lowest common denominator.

&

I don't think it was intentional from Apple, but nevertheless you can't continue supporting old hardware. If that were the case we'd never make any advancements in technology!

&

I’m not expecting support for 13 year old technology (1st gen Apple TV) just pointing out that it can no longer do what it did the day it was purchased. If all you wanted to do was watch 720p videos, the 13 year old hardware can do that fine, but it can’t access anything besides content on the internal hard drive.

How does a customer know what devices will be regulated to lowest common denominator? I have a cordless landline phone that is over 35 years old that still works. The quality is not nearly as good as the modern devices with higher frequency connections but 'security' does not give anyone, especially the hardware manufacture, the right shut off a function of my device. Telling me something is X years old means nothing in terms of how long I should expect it to function. The difference between that landline and my iPhone is that at some point manufactures built in technology that they could interrupt.

This still holds true for the 1st gen Apple TV, however, this device was just a Mac and Mac OS can be installed on it. All my same points still apply, but you could look into re purposing it - especially considering what it initially cost.

 

[Dangermen]

1) Why can this not be clearly communicated by Apple before updating?
2) Why is there no way to downgrade to a previous version where this still works?

There is no excuse for these two points.

There is. It’s a bad security vulnerability or because the vulnerability exists both on the client and the server and Apple is fixing both and orphaning expired hardware/software.

 

[Flow39]

Time to upgrade! Those devices are 9 years old and iOS 9 is 5 years old this year! This isn't a conspiracy of Apple trying to force people to upgrade, this is just called natural obsolescence.

 

[Nerfsqueezer]

who is running iOS 9 for goodness sake? come on people

 

[mocciat]

are there legitimate users actually still on iOS 9?

 

[bsolar]

Those devices have been abandoned for years now

This is incorrect: iOS 9 received a security update in July 2019.

iOS 9.3.6 This update has no published CVE entries.

iPhone 4s, iPad mini (1st generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular

22 Jul 2019

I'm unsure of Apple's lifecycle policy in general, but if they still published an update last year it's definitely not "abandoned for years".

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

That's a ridiculous take. An old iPad may have worked perfectly well even if no longer updated. If Apple for some reason decides to make a service obsolete, it should at least give ample warning for reasons such as this.

Out of date software = not working.

Hope you're joking. Not everyone lives in a first world country, not everyone can keep buying new gadgets for their entire family every couple of years. The longer they last, the better. Obviously, it will break eventually, but there is no reason to break something via software that can worked and has worked up until now. I'm appalled by this "Big corporation wants you to upgrade? Just shut up and buy a new one!" mentality. Sure, let's punish people by not allowing them to facetime each other at a time when it matters most, because they weren't doing their consumerist, capitalist duties!

I know it's hard to imagine, but many people are poor. When they have to make a decision about what to spend money on, they will spend it on food and bills before anything. And sometimes they are forced to hold on to old things that they can't upgrade because they have more important things to spend money on first. It's how the majority of people live, actually. We're just the lucky ones.

I'm not joking in the least. It's one thing to keep you 1997 truck on the road with spit and bailing wire. It's another to willfully use an unpatched piece of technology.

I like how you assume that I'm rich. If that were the case, my father wouldn't have had to have built the home he retired in. He wouldn't be relying on me to hand down my gadgets. He wouldn't have had to sell his 1997 truck because he couldn't afford to keep up on the maintenance. I would have bought them a house, be buying them all iPad Pros, iPhone 11s, and iMacs instead of having to fight with his $300 laptop from 6 years ago, and he wouldn't have to break his back like he did for the last 45 years.

Instead, I know that because Apple supports devices longer than anyone, I know that I generally have a five year window to keep my girlfriend and retired parents safe online. Because that's at least one thing that I can sweat instead of them.

Also, nice try at spinning a bug into a green bubble person's favorite conspiracy.

 

[Flow39]

are there legitimate users actually still on iOS 9?

Based on Apple's iOS distribution chart (that I can't find at the moment), something like 5% of all devices are running something earlier than iOS 11 right now, which means iOS 9 is probably like 2-3% of all devices.

 

[He15urPr3z]

It's irresponsible of you as a child if you allow your parents to keep using outdated and un-updated technology.

What about for those parents that cannot afford to purchase a new device year after year? How can you assume that everyone is so financially sound that they can afford to go purchase a new updated phone year after year? What about those people that are financially conscientious and only purchase new things when they absolutely need them.

But, if you're so adamant that everyone should be buying their parents, or even themselves NEW devices, reach out directly and I'll let you know where to send your excess fund to help get me up on a 'more' updated device
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Out of date software = not working.



I'm not joking in the least. It's one thing to keep you 1997 truck on the road with spit and bailing wire. It's another to willfully use an unpatched piece of technology.

I like how you assume that I'm rich. If that were the case, my father wouldn't have had to have built the home he retired in. He wouldn't be relying on me to hand down my gadgets. He wouldn't have had to sell his 1997 truck because he couldn't afford to keep up on the maintenance. I would have bought them a house, be buying them all iPad Pros, iPhone 11s, and iMacs instead of having to fight with his $300 laptop from 6 years ago, and he wouldn't have to break his back like he did for the last 45 years.

Instead, I know that because Apple supports devices longer than anyone, I know that I generally have a five year window to keep my girlfriend and retired parents safe online. Because that's at least one thing that I can sweat instead of them.

Also, nice try at spinning a bug into a green bubble person's favorite conspiracy.

I like that you mention YOU'RE not rich, except you go on about what your parents have/use... All while, your profile shows you have the Latest iphone, had the latest iPad Pro (up until 2 weeks ago)... Sorry you live such a broke life to have such crap devices! Glad to hear your old man knows the value of things, like his functioning 6 year old laptop.

 

[Tubamajuba]

I’m betting it’s a bug. Give them a chance to fix it. They’re usually good about doing it fast.

Some of you look for every opportunity to rake Apple over the coals and not allow them to correct their mistakes.

It's equal parts funny and sad to watch the usual suspects make up stuff to fit some idiotic narrative they've been trying to peddle on here for years on end.

 

[He15urPr3z]

Time to upgrade! Those devices are 9 years old and iOS 9 is 5 years old this year! This isn't a conspiracy of Apple trying to force people to upgrade, this is just called natural obsolescence.

Hmm, if a device is still working/functioning, why not keep it? I doubt you really understand this, judging by all of recent Apple devices you have listed.

Let me know where I can send my information for you to share some of your wealth... I could use some newer devices, I have some that are as old as 3 years old *gasp*

 

[magmablade]

Spoken exactly like someone who doesn't understand software development. "Planned Obsolence" is largely a conspiracy theory, nothing more. When you add new features and functionally and security fixes some older hardware has to be left behind, you can't support the old stuff forever and those older models are pretty old.

This isn't "Apple wants you to buy new hardware during the pandemic!" frankly, its sad that's the first place you went. Reality is closer to "a change was made for <bug fix, security, etc> and either broke something by accident, or simply isn't compatible with older hardware.

Nothing more.

Rule #1 - don't patronise people.

Rule #2 - know your stuff in & out before going hard about things, if you must.

Sending network packets from one device to another doesn't require new hardware, both devices quoted in this article are well & truly capable of that. I agree with you there's been conspiracy theories around more than the usual, however in light of Apple degrading performances on older models I think there's some rationale behind that. With regards to the issue discussed here, from an engineer who has both software & hardware knowledge, this is purely due to the software change which may well be a bug, but there can't be questions about "compatibility" with older hardware.

 

[wirefire]

And here is the problem with physical and software items. People purchased technology up through he 1980s / 1990s and it had to work out of the box indefinitely because there was no "Internet" out there that could tie the device back to its maker, you owned it. The standards were POTS, cable, analog broadcast... ETC. Then the devices of the internet age came and they all "phone home" and are constantly evolving with ever changing software. Now "owning" something doesn't mean a damn thing, really you are leasing software services on your device for an undefined amount of time. There is no ownership. if Apple wants to discontinue FaceTime on a device declared EoL you have no recourse, but I will admit they should be up front about it.

 

[Flow39]

Hmm, if a device is still working/functioning, why not keep it? I doubt you really understand this, judging by all of recent Apple devices you have listed.

Let me know where I can send my information for you to share some of your wealth... I could use some newer devices, I have some that are as old as 3 years old *gasp*

I usually keep things for 3-4 years or so before recycling or selling, I'm not rich. If you could've seen my previous device listing, you would've seen an iPhone 6s Plus, Apple Watch Series 0, iPad Air 2, and 2015 13" MBP, all devices released in 2014/2015 and used until 2019. Obviously I don't upgrade very year. Thanks for assuming though. I work for my money and take care of my stuff just like everyone else. And who says that if I kept it, I'd be daily driving it? I have a 10 year old iPod touch 4th gen that isn't used and I'm not expecting Apple to continue supporting it. It still sits around, but it's time to move on. Same with the old iPad 3 my family has. No one's using that for a daily driver anymore, but it still works so occasionally it's used for a movie or something. I'm not mad that it's not supported anymore, I get that it's time to get something else.

The point is expecting Apple to continue supporting 10 year old devices is ridiculous. Sure, use it if you can and if you want to, but don't complain that it's not supported anymore.

Does Microsoft or Google check for compatibility with 5+ year old operating systems when they release updates to Windows 10 or Android 10, respectively?

Expecting Apple to test devices going on a decade old and test OS versions that are half a decade old is absurd.

 

[I7guy]

Hmm, if a device is still working/functioning, why not keep it? I doubt you really understand this, judging by all of recent Apple devices you have listed....

Yep. My windows xp computer is still running stellar. I do my banking, stock transactions and general surfing on it. Never had an issue and don't worry about getting any of the newer viruses or malware. /s You could also ride around in a car with bald tires on a rainy day and little life left in the brake drums and be absolutely fine.

It's a personal risk choice.

 

[Mário Cruz]

Nice try! April Fools Day!!!

 

[mdriftmeyer]

Having spent decades working in R&D, Legacy testing was one of the first checks we performed. If we got new features, that was great - but if we couldn't support Legacy; it was a no-go.

Legacy has a pre-defined limitation. You know that or you're just being disingenuous. Typically, 5-7 years after a release Enterprise contracts run out to provide supplemental support for specific releases. It changes when there are major changes requiring hardware that cannot be upgrade.
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To the people that keeps saying that is an old OS… Yeah… but add features it's OK, remove them isn't OK. And remember, all those devices still have an app called facetime. Not FaceTime 1, or 2, or 4. Just FaceTime.

You're not removing a feature when an older version of QuickTime is no longer compatible with the modern stack. Those interfaces are gone. Get it?