How long will the iPhone XR be updated and supported?

None of us can answer that as we will ALL find out at during the “next” iOS version announcement.

However, the iPhone 8 is the oldest device capable of running iOS 16 today.

However, even IF your contemplated device can’t be updated to “iOS Next” … it will continue to operate safely and reliably on “iOS Current” for a number of years.

Apple will continue to provide security and bug updates as required.

I general, 3rd party app support will have fizzled out before before Apple ceases all updates for a particular iOS.

To be clear, the Xr and Xs iPhones are obviously “on the bubble” iOS wise.

They DO run the latest and greatest iOS available today.

Whether they will be able to run the “next” iOS will remain unknown until Apple officially announces it at some point in the future.

BUT … even if they can’t run iOS “next” they will STILL continue to receive critical bug and security updates for a few more years.

Example: The iPhone 6s - while limited to iOS 15 - received an update just last month. (to iOS 15.8.2)

You have posted to a user-to-user support forum. We are all users here....just like you. No one here will be able to predict what Apple might do or when they might do it.

The XR was discontinued in Sept 2021 and Apple normally supports a product for up to 7 years, so a guess would be 2026-2027 for support and updates.

iPhone XR will be supported until 2025

If you look at history, on average iphone provides major updates up to 5 times.

that means if its first XR iOS is iOS 12, it will end up on iOS 17.x

but in rare cases like SE 1st, 6s and 6s+, apple gives 6 times (iOS 10,11,12,13,14,15)

that means it could be that XR gets the final iOS at 18.x

It is possible that this year or 2025 will be the last major update

Just make sure that you power up the phone and see the "hello" screen before you buy. Expect to replace the battery in the near future. $89 at the Apple Store or authorized Apple Service shop.

This is a user-to-user forum.

Apple Support Community Forum

This is Apple Support Community forum, for user-to-user interaction for information & idea sharing between users, if need be, extend support on technical know-how in handling Apple products from more experienced fellow users, This is not the right forum to discuss with Apple Inc.

Re: “… This will be my first Apple smartphone … “

HIGHLY recommend that you read and heed the cautions and warnings contained in this article:

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community

Far too many individuals discover too late that the “attractive price” was a scam and that they purchased a quite expensive paperweight.

It’s indeed refreshing when a user comes here to ask good questions beforehand. 😊

Yes, an iPhone XR can be updated to iOS 17.

May I ask how you know this forsure?

Do you work at Apple or something?

you could just be trolling no offense. Would appreciate the feedback.

If you are right good thing I’m upgrading here pretty soon to atleast 12 PRO or hopefully I can find a 14 PRO for a reasonable price would be totally stoked.

Hello ~ Excellent advice.

~Katana-San~