Updating iPhone 8 to iOS 17

Hello ~ The highest supported iOS version for your iPhone 8 is iOS 16 though it may continue to receive periodic security patches. You need a newer iPhone (yours was released in 2017) in order to access the latest iOS and the new features. You probably should shop for a newer iPhone as others have mentioned…

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~Katana-San~

Welcome and thank you for reaching out. 🤗

Open Settings ➢ General ➢ Software Update.

If you get the message; "iOS is up to date", then your iPhone has reached the end-of-life support for Software Updates to the latest iOS operating system, depriving you of new features created many years ago.

Many modern apps are not compatible, limiting the usability of your device.

You are invited to visit an Apple retail store to discuss your iPhone upgrade options.

Learn about the ⇢ iPhone Upgrade Program. ⇠📲

Since your iPhone 8 is too old for a trade-in, the only option is to recycle it for free. ♻️

Good luck! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

No, your iPhone 8 does not support iOS 17 or newer, It only goes up to the latest version of iOS 16, that’s because of the limited hardware capability in the iPhone 8.

To get iOS 17 or later, you need an iPhone XR or XS/Max or later

To get liquid glass (iOS 26 or later), You need an iPhone 11 or later, though I recommend an iPhone newer than the 11 for future-proofing.

Also, liquid glass is on iOS 26, not 17 or 18.

danski50 wrote:

I guess if apple isn’t going to support their senior users, it’s time to migrate to another manufacturer.

Huh? Just what does your age have to do with updating out of date hardware? I can answer that. NOTHING. No electronic device from ANY manufacturer gets updates forever. The simple fact is iPhone 8 was released in 2017. That's 9 (NINE) years ago. And hardware from 9 years ago, simply doesn't have the hardware required to be updated to the current iOS versions. This has nothing to do with your or anyone else's age.

You can certainly buy a cell phone from any manufacturer you want. But it too will at some point no longer be able to be updated. That's how technology works.

danski50 wrote:

I guess if apple isn’t going to support their senior users, it’s time to migrate to another manufacturer.

This senior user has just set up a pre-order for a Duo. I'm quite excited. I think they're doing a pretty good job supporting me.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

danski50 wrote:

I guess if apple isn’t going to support their senior users, it’s time to migrate to another manufacturer.

This senior user has just set up a pre-order for a Duo. I'm quite excited. I think they're doing a pretty good job supporting me.

Good for you. And this senior is now happily enjoying his iPhone 18 Pro Max!

danski50 wrote:

I guess if apple isn’t going to support their senior users, it’s time to migrate to another manufacturer.

The iPhone 8 received five iOS upgrades. There are some iPhones that received six, and with the release of iOS 27, the 11-series phones and SE (2nd generation) have received seven.

Meanwhile, the article Android Authority (November 13, 2025) – Here are the phone update policies from every major Android manufacturer says that Apple's commitment "puts the majority of Android OEMs to shame."

If I'm reading that article correctly, some Android manufacturers only commit to two upgrades. If your iPhone 8 had received only two upgrades, it would be stuck on iOS 13! So if you do migrate to another manufacturer, you might want to try to avoid migrating to one that's going to support you for longer than that.

danski50 wrote:

I guess if apple isn’t going to support their senior users, it’s time to migrate to another manufacturer.

Hello ~ This senior user is a proud owner of a spanking new iPhone and a new iPad. I couldn’t be happier. Support from Apple and my friends here has been extraordinary!!

~Katana-San~

I guess if apple isn’t going to support their senior users, it’s time to migrate to another manufacturer.

iPhone 8 is close to obsolete at this point.

You should buy what you want. Good luck.

We don't care what you buy.