Apple unveiled iOS 16 today, bringing a wealth of new features including the ability to edit messages you already sent in the Messages app, the ability to customize the way your lock screen looks, new automations for sharing pictures in Photo Libraries with friends and a whole lot more.
However, iOS 16 will only be available to users with the iPhone 8 and later models. This means any phones introduced in 2016 or earlier won’t be getting Apple software updates anymore.
While Apple was expected to drop support for iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, the company has also dropped support for the iPhone 7.
For those with older devices, as long as you have upgraded to iOS 15+, your apps should continue to work for now. (If you haven’t you should do so now).
However, since you won’t be getting any new iOS software updates, that could leave your device vulnerable to hacks and malware since software updates also usually include patches for bugs.
Apple may continue to offer some security updates to these older devices, as it’s done with some older iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 devices. But even if it does, it’s likely the updates will only include critical vulnerabilities and may still leave devices open to attack.
For reference iOS 16 is compatible with the following.
iOS 16 compatible devices
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
