iOS updates

What is the definitive timeline for older devices manufactured within a 10 year period and if Apple has not given a definitive timeline should they reconsider some kind of strategy to give some kind of grace period to those with older devices enough time to be prepared or will the updates continue on bringing with them a never ending chaotic troubleshooting nightmare?


[Edited by Moderator]

iPad Pro, iPadOS 15

Posted on Apr 25, 2022 9:17 AM

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Posted on Apr 25, 2022 9:29 AM

Whilst Apple do not publish a definitive schedule for providing system software updates, updates are typically provided for 5-7 years from initial product release. App Developers often provide a further two or more years.


Update support generally ceases when the device hardware is unable to provide adequate performance, requiring greater system resources (such as RAM or CPU) than the hardware is capable.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 25, 2022 9:29 AM in response to alblock54

Whilst Apple do not publish a definitive schedule for providing system software updates, updates are typically provided for 5-7 years from initial product release. App Developers often provide a further two or more years.


Update support generally ceases when the device hardware is unable to provide adequate performance, requiring greater system resources (such as RAM or CPU) than the hardware is capable.

Apr 25, 2022 9:25 AM in response to alblock54

You are asking questions no one here could possibly answer. This is a user to user only forum. No one from Apple is here. Generally speaking, Apple will support a device for no less than 5 years and sometimes longer AS LONG as the hardware is capable of supporting the latest iOS versions. For example ALL iPad Pro models are still able to update, even Pro's sold more than 5 years ago. At some point however, the oldest Pro models will ultimately no longer get new updates.


Even when a device can no longer be updated, you don't lose the ability to use it, sometimes for a long time. I don't know what you mean by a grace period. That doesn't really apply to this.

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