Apple has declared that it will cease services support for some of its older operating systems, including iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra, starting in May 2023. While this news might be concerning for those using older devices, it is unlikely to pose a major issue for the majority of users. Here’s the reasoning behind this.
Apple’s move to discontinue services support for aging operating systems aligns with its well-known practice of encouraging users to upgrade their devices to the most recent versions. Users are advised to update their devices to the latest available iOS or other operating systems. For individuals still using an iPhone 7 or earlier models, an upgrade may be in order.
A reliable leaker known as “Fudge,” or @StellaFudge on Twitter, revealed that select operating systems, first introduced in 2017, will lose access to Apple services, except for iCloud. The affected operating systems include iOS 11 to iOS 11.2.6, macOS High Sierra 10.13 to macOS 10.13.3, watchOS 4 to watchOS 4.2.3, and tvOS 11 to tvOS 11.2.6. Nonetheless, most compatible devices have newer updates available, which will maintain services access for older devices.
Users can update their operating systems to the most recent versions, such as iOS 11 to iOS 11.4.1, macOS High Sierra 10.13 to 10.13.6, watchOS 4 to watchOS 4.3.2, and tvOS 11 to tvOS 11.4.1, allowing them to continue using Apple services on their older devices.
Apple services encompass Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and more. Although iCloud is exempt from this change, the impact on services like Mail or iMessage sync remains unclear.
It is crucial to remember that Apple’s decision to discontinue support for older operating systems is not exclusive to the company. Many tech companies have comparable policies, as older devices and operating systems become more susceptible to security risks and may be unable to accommodate new features.
Ultimately, the termination of services support for older operating systems should not pose a significant issue for most users, as updating to the latest version will enable them to continue accessing Apple services.
