iOS 7 apps compatible with iOS 6?

[jchang23]

I apologize ahead of time if this is in the wrong forum section. I thought it might belong in the "Programming" section. I also did a forum search and didnt find anything.

This might be a stupid question.

Will iOS7 apps be compatible with devices running on iOS6?

Thanks for your help ahead of time.

 

[Intell]

No, if they require iOS 7 then they will not work on iOS 6.

 

[jchang23]

No, if they require iOS 7 then they will not work on iOS 6.

Ahh. Thank you.

 

[sonicrobby]

Depends on the developer. Some will optimize their apps for iOS 7, and still have it upgradable for iOS6 users. But some apps (usually those designed from the ground up or new ones) will strictly require iOS7. Such as the DeeJay app. Newly released with strictly iOS4 + support.

 

[jchang23]

Depends on the developer. Some will optimize their apps for iOS 7, and still have it upgradable for iOS6 users. But some apps (usually those designed from the ground up or new ones) will strictly require iOS7. Such as the DeeJay app. Newly released with strictly iOS4 + support.

So you can develop your app to run on both iOS 7 and iOS 6?

 

[sonicrobby]

So you can develop your app to run on both iOS 7 and iOS 6?

Actually, now that you mention it, I am uncertain. Usually since iOS 3 4 5 6 have had the same base, it was feasible in the past. With 7 it might have a new structure to it. So i take it back, Im not so sure anymore. I think so, but now im not positive

 

[jchang23]

That's what i was thinking too. Since iOS 7 is running a whole new UI would you need to add support as if you were sort of making a webpage for different browsers?

 

[Menel]

I apologize ahead of time if this is in the wrong forum section. I thought it might belong in the "Programming" section. I also did a forum search and didnt find anything.

This might be a stupid question.

Will iOS7 apps be compatible with devices running on iOS6?

Thanks for your help ahead of time.

Yes. App developers want as many users as possible giving them money or using their apps.

So iOS7 apps will be codified for compatibility with as far back as feasible.

 

[C DM]

That's what i was thinking too. Since iOS 7 is running a whole new UI would you need to add support as if you were sort of making a webpage for different browsers?

More than likely Apple will still have things set up to make them backward compatible in most cases (not counting the developers explicitly using some sort of functionalities/APIs that are only available in iOS 7 and thus making the app not compatible with anything below because of that).

 

[WordMasterRice]

More than likely Apple will still have things set up to make them backward compatible in most cases (not counting the developers explicitly using some sort of functionalities/APIs that are only available in iOS 7 and thus making the app not compatible with anything below because of that).

Believe it or not they don't, which was kind of shocking to me. In their transition guide they essentially urge you to not support anything older than iOS 7 already, and if you absolutely have to you have to jump through some hoops to make it happen. I'm not sure how other developers are going to handle it since I develop mostly in-house apps and have control over everyones iOS version, but backward compatibility is going to be a bit of work I think.

 

[C DM]

Believe it or not they don't, which was kind of shocking to me. In their transition guide they essentially urge you to not support anything older than iOS 7 already, and if you absolutely have to you have to jump through some hoops to make it happen. I'm not sure how other developers are going to handle it since I develop mostly in-house apps and have control over everyones iOS version, but backward compatibility is going to be a bit of work I think.

Are you talking about backend type of transitions--as far as using newer/improved APIs and all that, or frontend support? I can see Apple making a case for people to use the newer/improved APIs to show that they are more powerful and better--they have to sell what they've been working on for the upgrade--but beyond that I don't think they would urge people to do some other type of changes that would make their apps incompatible with previous iOS versions (if they aren't really going to specifically use new APIs, etc.).

 

[WordMasterRice]

Are you talking about backend type of transitions--as far as using newer/improved APIs and all that, or frontend support? I can see Apple making a case for people to use the newer/improved APIs to show that they are more powerful and better--they have to sell what they've been working on for the upgrade--but beyond that I don't think they would urge people to do some other type of changes that would make their apps incompatible with previous iOS versions (if they aren't really going to specifically use new APIs, etc.).

I'm talking about front end stuff. What was talking about was the UI Transition guide. Basically they urge you to make a UI that is consistent with iOS7 and call it a day. And in order to create an iOS 6 UI you have to jump through hoops.

It's still very doable, but for larger apps (especially universal apps) to have a UI design for all of the devices that you currently support, then all of those devices again in iOS 7 versions of the UI it gets cumbersome.

 

[imaginex20]

I believe when ios 7 is released that will be the minimum required iOS version to be supported. Therefore, you will not get anymore updates from the app unless you update to ios 7 so no, ios 7 apps will not work on ios 6.

 

[charlituna]

So you can develop your app to run on both iOS 7 and iOS 6?

Yes and no. The short answer is yes you can create an app that will work on both, even one that would work with iOS 5.

The longer answer is if you are using an API from iOS 7 in your app it will only work on devices running iOS 7. You'll have to code your app to detect and use appropriate code for an iOS 6 compatible version of the feature if that is possible or have your app hobbled for those users in regards to that feature

 

[C DM]

I believe when ios 7 is released that will be the minimum required iOS version to be supported. Therefore, you will not get anymore updates from the app unless you update to ios 7 so no, ios 7 apps will not work on ios 6.

I don't know how likely something like that would be. It's not likely for them to cut out anything below the most recent version (especially as soon as its released) as that doesn't make much sense.