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Third-Generation AirPods Require iOS 13, Drop Support for Older iPhones, iPads, and iPods

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Apr 12, 2001
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The new third-generation AirPods drop support for older iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch models previously supported by the second-generation AirPods.

Apple_AirPods-3rd-gen_lifestyle-01_10182021_big.jpg.large_2x.jpg

According to Apple's specifications page for the new AirPods, the third-generation AirPods do not support the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and the iPhone 5s. They also drop support for the iPad mini 2 and iPad mini 3 alongside the sixth-generation iPod touch. Apple’s footnotes for the new AirPods‌ explain why, stating that some of the features require iOS 13, which none of the above-listed devices support.
Some features require iOS 13 or iPadOS, which are not compatible with iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, iPod touch (6th generation), iPad Air (1st generation), iPad mini 3, and iPad mini 2. Audio Sharing not supported.
Click to expand...
The new third-generation AirPods are being offered alongside the second-generation AirPods, as well as the higher-end AirPods Pro. The new AirPods are available for pre-order today and will begin shipping next week.

Article Link: Third-Generation AirPods Require iOS 13, Drop Support for Older iPhones, iPads, and iPods
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/18/third-generation-airpods-device-support/
zorinlynx

zorinlynx

macrumors G3
May 31, 2007
8,347
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Aren't Airpods able to be regular Bluetooth headphones? If so, shouldn't you be able to use them with any iPhone going all the way back to 2007? You'd think that would be the case since you can use them with Android phones and Windows PCs too.

Apple would have had to put specific code in the AirPods to break pairing with older iOS versions.
 
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P

profets

macrumors 603
Mar 18, 2009
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zorinlynx said:
Aren't Airpods able to be regular Bluetooth headphones? If so, shouldn't you be able to use them with any iPhone going all the way back to 2007? You'd think that would be the case since you can use them with Android phones and Windows PCs too.

Apple would have had to put specific code in the AirPods to break pairing with older iOS versions.
Click to expand...

This is true, and its mentioned in the footnotes on Apple's site:

"AirPods can be used as Bluetooth headphones with Apple devices using earlier software and with non-Apple devices, but functionality is limited."
 
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szw-mapple fan

szw-mapple fan

macrumors 68040
Jul 28, 2012
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zorinlynx said:
Aren't Airpods able to be regular Bluetooth headphones? If so, shouldn't you be able to use them with any iPhone going all the way back to 2007? You'd think that would be the case since you can use them with Android phones and Windows PCs too.

Apple would have had to put specific code in the AirPods to break pairing with older iOS versions.
Click to expand...
The headline is a little misleading. It's still supported but some features like audio sharing aren't available.
 
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sideshowuniqueuser

sideshowuniqueuser

macrumors 68030
Mar 20, 2016
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zorinlynx said:
Aren't Airpods able to be regular Bluetooth headphones? If so, shouldn't you be able to use them with any iPhone going all the way back to 2007? You'd think that would be the case since you can use them with Android phones and Windows PCs too.

Apple would have had to put specific code in the AirPods to break pairing with older iOS versions.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. But you forgot the part about Apple being environmentally friendly, and wanting to avoid landfill ;)
 
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Homme

Homme

macrumors 6502a
Jun 17, 2014
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Obviously this isn’t surprising but that has been the case for those iOS 12 devices since AirPods Pro from the beginning and any other apple/beats headphone since then requiring iOS/iPadOS 13 or later
 
K

kaardowiq

macrumors 6502
Dec 20, 2018
366
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Zürich, Switzerland
Still don’t get it… what should make me buy these ones instead of the pros?

the pros are mostly cheaper already (got my ones new for 160$ last year), they offer ANC, they‘re „Pro“. Why should someone get the regular 3er series?
 
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ASentientBot

ASentientBot

macrumors 6502a
Jun 27, 2018
863
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SkyLight.framework
zorinlynx said:
Aren't Airpods able to be regular Bluetooth headphones? If so, shouldn't you be able to use them with any iPhone going all the way back to 2007? You'd think that would be the case since you can use them with Android phones and Windows PCs too.

Apple would have had to put specific code in the AirPods to break pairing with older iOS versions.
Click to expand...
Yep. I use gen 2 AirPods with an iPhone 4S and 2010 MacBook on a daily basis. Audio input/output works fine and sounds good. Tapping the Pod to pause/skip works too. Even ear detection. Just not "hey Siri".

The only support that was "dropped" is functionality that never existed on the older machines in the first place. Exactly as expected.
 
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CarlJ

CarlJ

Contributor
Feb 23, 2004
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San Diego, CA, USA
zorinlynx said:
Aren't Airpods able to be regular Bluetooth headphones? If so, shouldn't you be able to use them with any iPhone going all the way back to 2007? You'd think that would be the case since you can use them with Android phones and Windows PCs too.
Click to expand...
You can totally use them as "normal" bluetooth headphones... but how would you update the firmware?
 
BuddyTronic

BuddyTronic

macrumors 68000
Jul 11, 2008
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TVreporter said:
It's funny my wife's friend still uses an iPhone 5. She says as long as it works she'll keep using it!
Click to expand...

The old iphone 5 might be worth $50. Headphones $150 or whatever. Cellular service monthly $10 - $100.

Time to upgrade but yah - quality electronics for sure - lasts forever.
 
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BuddyTronic

BuddyTronic

macrumors 68000
Jul 11, 2008
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kaardowiq said:
Still don’t get it… what should make me buy these ones instead of the pros?

the pros are mostly cheaper already (got my ones new for 160$ last year), they offer ANC, they‘re „Pro“. Why should someone get the regular 3er series?
Click to expand...


The Pro’s seal off the ear and have ANC. Active noise cancelling. Great sound.

The original ones are hard plastic and actually can be more comfy to wear for some people - such as me. These new ones will be similar.

Personal choice I think. Of course I haven’t tried the very latest ones here but I bet you they are all excellent.
 
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