iPhone 8 & iPhone X may still be supported in iOS 17

A recent rumor claimed that iOS 17 was going to cut off two very popular iPhones, but a new leak suggests otherwise.

On Tuesday, a rumor claimed that the upcoming iOS and iPadOS releases would drop support for the A11 Bionic processor from 2017. It also wouldn't be compatible with the A9 and A9X chips from 2015.

Specifically, that rumor claimed that the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, first-generation 9.7-inch iPad Pro, first-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and fifth-generation iPad weren't going to be able to run iOS 17. But a tip sent to AppleInsider disagrees with the rumor in part, and says iOS 17 will support the iPhone 8 and iPhone X models.

It wouldn't make sense for Apple to keep supporting iPads with older chips while removing compatibility for the newer chips in the iPhones, and we addressed that possibility in the previous rumor. The company does gradually phase out software support for devices, but starts with older products onwards instead of cutting off newer gear.

It's common for iOS and iPadOS updates to stop supporting older devices eventually though. For example, iOS 16 isn't compatible with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 lineups.

However, sometimes there isn't a change in devices running the latest operating system. For instance, iOS 15 supports the same devices that ran iOS 14.

So far, some reports expect the iOS 17 update to focus on stability. If that's the case, then maintaining support for older devices would be easier because there will be fewer bugs or other issues.

5 Comments

Fidonet127 5 Years · 598 comments

About 1 year ago

Devices that cannot get a newer os version still work, and they still get some security updates.

urahara 13 Years · 733 comments

JP234 said:

Kind of a non-issue, isn't it? If you have one of the originally listed devices, they don't magically become bricks. You can still use them as you always have. The only potential risk I see is that there wouldn't be any more security updates. My guess is that the people who haven't upgraded their phones or iPads in 6 years or more won't have the kind of sensitive data the big players want. Of course that leaves thousands of chaos agents who will target devices without the latest patches, steal your identity, max your credit cards, empty your bank account and blackmail you over those pictures of your dork that you sent to your secret "friend!" Takeaway: when the manufacturer (Apple in this case) stops supporting your hardware, or software for that matter, it's time to spend some money and get up to date.

Incorrect. The devices which are nit getting the newest iOS still get updates for security.

entropys 13 Years · 4316 comments

BiC said:

Apple should make a flip burner phone. One would be surprised how many individuals use burner phones - especially hot women.

Tell me more about these hot women that use burner phones.
Perhaps you could start by saying “ I never thought this would happen to me….”

JP234 said:

urahara said:

JP234 said:

Kind of a non-issue, isn't it? If you have one of the originally listed devices, they don't magically become bricks. You can still use them as you always have. The only potential risk I see is that there wouldn't be any more security updates. My guess is that the people who haven't upgraded their phones or iPads in 6 years or more won't have the kind of sensitive data the big players want. Of course that leaves thousands of chaos agents who will target devices without the latest patches, steal your identity, max your credit cards, empty your bank account and blackmail you over those pictures of your dork that you sent to your secret "friend!" Takeaway: when the manufacturer (Apple in this case) stops supporting your hardware, or software for that matter, it's time to spend some money and get up to date.

Incorrect. The devices which are nit getting the newest iOS still get updates for security.

Not correct. Security updates are continued for devices Apple labels "vintage" but once they're designated "obsolete," that's it. No more updates, period.

Yes, but none of the phones in question are even vintage yet.