When does Apple stop releasing security updates?
WHen does Apple stop doing security updates?
iPad Air 2 WiFi, Cellular, iOS 8.1.3
Not long after the newest OS X is released.
Apple hasn't updated v10.5 Leopard in years.
6 replies
Apple releases security updates for the last three OS releases. As of now, those are Mountain Lion, Mavericks, and Yosemite.
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DO you have any formal documentation that supports this, like an Article?
Click here; many of the updates listed support the three most recent Mac OS X revisions at the time.
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That's great but I am trying to find an article or some kind of formal documentation by Apple that says when they actually stop doing security updates on any given product.
I don't think Apple has done that on a product basis. There is though this page on what it considers legacy:
Vintage and obsolete products - Apple Support
That does not address the security updates per se. Just when certain parts may no longer be readily available.
As for the article that was given, that's probably the best answer you'll get. You can find on Wikipedia the history of all those operating systems, and compare with the release dates of the security updates. If history is any indication, 10.10.4 will get future security updates but not earlier 10.10, and maybe some 10.9.5, and maybe some 10.8.5 security updates. Earlier versions of 10.9, and 10.8 have to upgrade to 10.9.5 or 10.8.5 to continue to see security releases by Apple. Of course if your dependent software does not have a compatible update, you may be better off staying 10.8.5, if they won't upgrade their software to 10.9.5 compatibility, etc...Point is, it is anyone's guess when Apple deems security updates not worth putting in for a full operating system release like 10.9, 10.8, or 10.7. Apple occasionally has surprised us with security releases for 10.6.8 when we would have thought the releases were all over.
As we can't speculate on this forum, the best advice, is to follow safe computing. Backup your data, don't use peer2peer software, do not open ports in the Firewall you don't use, and be wary of e-mail attachments and popups claiming to have updates or important maintenance. Go direct to the source for updates.
When does Apple stop releasing security updates?