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Netflix App to End Support for iOS 16, Require iPhone XS or Later to Work
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They provide new functionality only for new version of iOS. This is expected. This does not mean that old app stop working. Nope. They continue working and you can re-download them as well. They are offering same functionality as before and will continue to work for long time.Well, as long as server side will not introduce breaking changes (probably not) and DRM requirement in those old OS versions are fine (most likely they are), there is no problem for Netflix to serve those customers for next 10 years without much problems.
iOS 16 came out in Jun 2022. iOS 16 is still supported by Apple therefore there is no logical reason for Netflix to stop supporting iOS 16 unless (and in my opinion) Apple has paid Netflix to drop supporting iOS 16 because in doing so it would require Netflix app users to upgrade their Apple iphone.
The opposite is true here as smartphones are receiving support for longer and longer. Apple has historically provided the longest smartphone support giving even the entry model SE a full 5 years of support and even longer legacy support on an older iOS version. Apple has been dethroned only last year by Google and their new 7 year policy that promises full OS feature and security updates for the entirety of those 7 years.
To be more precise: The iPhones affected by this end of support mentioned in the article are now 7 years old. And the Netflix app will continue working as is, just the promise to fix bugs and provide updates is gone. You can still use the app just fine for a while.
The smartphone manufacturers have to provide firmware updates throughout that entire lifecycle of their devices and the reason Apple and Google have the longest support times on the market is that they're able to use more and more of their own parts. And still, Google and Apple both depend on Qualcomm for the cell modems. Google also relies on Samsung for the SoC. Once these third party suppliers stop providing security fixes for their hardware, Apple and Google cannot keep their smartphones secured.
That's why they are moving more and more hardware over to their own designs, Apple is working on their own modem so they can show Qualcomm the boot. Eventually this is what will allow them to extend support even further as they no longer rely on these support contracts with third parties.
Other manufacturers are doing even worse, until a few years ago you got like 3 years even on a Samsung flagship which is wild. That's been improving but with smaller manufacturers that cannot just build their own modems and SoCs you'll remain worse off than just buying an iPhone.
Another, less conspiratorial theory is that there are some functions in iOS 17 that are important to Netflix. But I say vote with your $$$. The app is certainly convenient but not the only way to access content.
Seriously,
“The device just works” is NOT the answer. Device is open to hackers, and its security disaster waiting to happen.
There are carrier deals that will give you big discount by trading your old phone. Just upgrade.
(I just finally watched Apple event and catching up on Apple news after avoiding it for three months so apologies for weird reply post here)
Seriously if you are still using iPhone X or older, YOU NEED TO UPGRADE YOUR DEVICE.
“The device just works” is NOT the answer. Device is open to hackers, and its security disaster waiting to happen.
There are carrier deals that will give you big discount by trading your old phone. Just upgrade.
(I just finally watched Apple event and catching up on Apple news after avoiding it for three months so apologies for weird reply post here)
Who are these “hackers” that are targeting old iPhones? And what are they targeting them for?
Can you point to an actual instance of any such incident?
But the original apple tv netflix app still works lol
This is probably more apple pushing them to update, reminds me of all the great old games ios used to have mortal kombat 3, house of the dead overkill, etc etc they didnt update and apple wiped them off
This is probably more apple pushing them to update, reminds me of all the great old games ios used to have mortal kombat 3, house of the dead overkill, etc etc they didnt update and apple wiped them off
Edge for iOS is just Safari with a different UI, as that's all Apple permits.
That will also not work.
Netflix do not support HTML5 EME on iOS, and never have.