Apple issues iOS 9.3.6 and iOS 10.3.4 updates for older iPhone and iPad models

Apple has quietly issued updates to some earlier iOS versions, including new builds of iOS 9.3.6 and 10.3.4 for use by older iPhone and iPad models that are not able to update to the latest iOS versions.

Issued alongside the update to iOS 12.4 that is available for many iOS devices, Apple has shipped an update that applies to devices not able to use the current operating system release. On Monday, updates for iOS 9.3.6 and 10.3.4 were made available to download to a small number of devices.

The iOS 9.3.6 update is meant for the iPad 2, iPad mini, iPad 3, and iPhone 4s, while iOS 10.3.4 is for the iPad 4 and iPhone 5.

According to release notes for the updates, they consist of a number of security updates, as well as a fix for a GPS bug.

Apple's main focus is on keeping its main operating system releases up to date and secure, but the company can periodically issue software updates for older operating systems. Typically this is used to close security issues that affect the older hardware.

The updates will be the first of their kind for the older iOS hardware for quite some time.

Apple issued iOS 9.3.5 in August 2016 and iOS 10.3.3 in July 2017. Code signing for each version was stopped in October 2016 and October 2017 respectively.

27 Comments

harry wild 808 comments · 11 Years

About 5 years ago

As long as update does not slow the Apple devices further, I will final upgrade from my original iOS that came with my iPhone 5C! I will wait 3-6 month to see how the new 10.3.4 performs before doing the update. Apple cannot trick me like they done many times before and slow down my Apple iPhones and iPads devices.

clarker99 230 comments · 13 Years

tomahawk 171 comments · 23 Years

clarker99 said:

In Canada, the release notes talk about new data transfer option.

That's for the 12.4 release (and is included in those release notes everywhere). It's much more unusual for Apple to release security updates for older versions of the OS (which is what this article is talking about).

pontavignon 21 comments · 11 Years

I look forward to installing update iOS 9.3.6 on my iPad 2, which has been in continuous use since I bought it in April 2011. That’s a heck of a record for longevity and reliability. The display too is still as good as the day I bought it. Nowadays it is mounted on a kitchen cabinet just to the left of the stove and is charged continuously. It is used for recipes, timing things, social networking and other activities where speed is not essential. It still nearly never crashes, and I hope the update won’t change that.

AppleExposed 1805 comments · 6 Years

Apple again supporting older models. Nice!!

pontavignon said:

I look forward to installing update iOS 9.3.6 on my iPad 2, which has been in continuous use since I bought it in April 2011. That’s a heck of a record for longevity and reliability. The display too is still as good as the day I bought it. Nowadays it is mounted on a kitchen cabinet just to the left of the stove and is charged continuously. It is used for recipes, timing things, social networking and other activities where speed is not essential. It still nearly never crashes, and I hope the update won’t change that.

I have no fu**ing idea why Apple doesn't promote this use more often. Apple would easily take over Alexa if they allowed a docking mode for older devices people have laying around.