AppleInsider Staff
With the release of iOS 10.3.2 beta, Apple is not offering iTunes restore images for 32-bit devices like the iPhone 5 and fourth-generation iPad, suggesting the forthcoming point update will mark a watershed for iOS.
As seen in the screenshot above, taken from Apple's developer downloads webpage, the latest iOS 10.3.2 beta version issued on Tuesday only contains restore images for 64-bit devices. While not a definitive signal that 32-bit devices are on their way out, the lack of such assets suggests Apple is dropping support for older hardware architectures.
As noted by The Apple Post, Apple is not providing restore images for iPhone 5, iPhone 5c or the fourth-gen iPad, all of which were supported by yesterday's iOS 10.3 release. The iPhone 5, 5c and iPad 4 each use a variant of the A6 system-on-chip, the last of Apple's mobile processors built on a 32-bit architecture.
The launch of Apple's A7 SoC with iPhone 5s in 2013 marked the beginning of the end for 32-bit hardware, and consequently 32-bit apps. A year after iPhone 5s debuted, Apple alerted developers of a new App Store policy that required app updates to include 64-bit versions as of June 2015.
Apple continues its push toward an all 64-bit future and last year began warning iOS 10 users that 32-bit apps might negatively impact system performance. More recently, users attempting to open 32-bit software in iOS 10.3 are met with the message, "This app will not work with future versions of iOS," a clear indication that legacy apps are on their way out.
Whether Apple intends to cut off support for 32-bit hardware with the forthcoming iOS 10.3.2 update remains unknown. Since the firmware is still in beta testing, Apple could opt to build in support at a later date.
Anecdotally, it would be a peculiar move for Apple to draw the line and end 32-bit device support with what is considered to be a minor point update. Such an announcement is more likely to take place at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 5, where Apple is expected to detail iOS 11.
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
18 Comments
I am not an Apple developer and have the iPad 4. Is there any way I can get the restore image for the iPad 4?
Thank you.
The iOS 10.3 updates for 32-bit devices (iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPad 4) have also been pulled from distribution via Software Update, but when I checked a few hours ago those devices were still able to install iOS 10.3 via iTunes.
This looks like a temporary withdrawal of iOS 10.3 for a bug fix specific to 32-bit devices, rather than discontinuing support for those devices. The 10.3.2 developer beta is missing those images because the bug was discovered before the beta was released, the bug also affects that build, and Apple chose to exclude 32-bit devices from the first beta to avoid wasting everyone's time with pointless bug reports.
I expect the notably skipped iOS 10.3.1 will be released soon as a bug fix, will be available via Software Update for 32-bit devices, and the next 10.3.2 developer beta will include images for 32-bit devices.
Edit: Apple could also release an updated 10.3 for the affected devices, holding back 10.3.1 for something else, such as an as-yet-unannounced product.
I doubt this "temporary" withdrawal will survive into the final 10.3.2, unless Apple's support line operators are lonely and desperate for screaming phone calls. I suspect it is a warning shot, though, and that come June we will be told that iOS 11 (whenever that comes out, generally in September) will not support such devices. In the short term, this means very little to end-users: if iOS 11 doesn't support their device, they'll just carry on using iOS 10 for a while longer. It's not like apps will instantly become obsolete. What does disappoint me is the large number of developers who appear to be abandoning their old apps. Maybe they'll update them, but there's quite a few I still enjoy playing or use and would hate to see them disappear outright. Of course, I'd also hate to see them just replace those old apps with new ones that you pay for again, but given the low price of iOS apps generally I'd pony up for the ones that were worth it to me.