User profile for user: Anton Marcelline
Anton Marcelline Author
User level: Level 1
55 points

OS X and iOS apps minimum system requirement

Hi,


When downloading apps from either the Mac or iOS AppStores I have noticed a increased amount of apps that would traditionally work under a lower version of Mac OS X now having a minimum requirement to be on the latest version of Mac OS X or iOS. Can anyone explain why this would be even when no new features for the app in question are present. For instance today I went to download Apple Configurator and it wouldn't let me because my currently installed version of Mac OS X is 10.11 and Apple Configurator 2 requires 10.11.1. Not so long ago Apple Configurator 2 was available for a lower version of Mac OS X so what gives. Many of you would say whats the problem simply upgrade Mac OS X up a notch to 10.11.1 but seen as that update has caused boot problem on numerous users computers I don't want to commit to that update quite yet. It would seem to me that this AppStore ecosystem is stacked in Apple's favour in that they can strategically force users to upgrade and then brag about the adoption rates the latest Mac OS X or iOS at their Press Events. Also some Apple hardware over a certain age really should upgrade given how badly that hardware would perform with all the unneeded iCandy (sorry eye candy) that Ive's and Co insist on developing into the new OS's when really they should be fixing last years bugs. What gives here?

Posted on Nov 4, 2015 5:30 AM

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8 replies
User profile for user: Anton Marcelline
Anton Marcelline Author
User level: Level 1
55 points

Nov 4, 2015 5:48 AM in response to KiltedTim

Yes I do realise that there is more to OS X than just the GUI. Are you a developer? If so can you tell me if when you compile your app if the compiler sets a minimum requirement or do you get a choice of the lower version of Mac OS X?


I'm sorry if I'm not understanding things quite right but some app have had their minimum system requirement increased a notch or two with no fundamental difference to the app that I can see. It may very well be under the hood performance changes, bug fixes, or because the hooks and calls in the OS have changed. That said why can't the AppStore host multiple versions of the app for different versions of Mac OS X like we were used to when we used to go to the vendors websites to download

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User profile for user: woodmeister50
woodmeister50
User level: Level 7
21,483 points

Nov 4, 2015 6:41 AM in response to Anton Marcelline

Anton Marcelline wrote:

...That said why can't the AppStore host multiple versions of the app for different versions of Mac OS X like we were used to when we used to go to the vendors websites to download

The App Store is just a store like any other store. They are not going to mess

with "old stock".


Most app vendors change their "minimum OS versions" to higher values because it is too much of an expense

in resources and time to verify operation on older OSes, i.e. if the vendor says the app is compatible with say

OSX 10.5 and up, he would need systems to test OS X 10.5,10.6,10.7,10.8,10.9,10.10,10.11.

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User profile for user: a brody
a brody
User level: Level 10
85,432 points

Nov 4, 2015 6:58 AM in response to Anton Marcelline

If you want to maintain an older system you can. The target market of older systems is so small, there is practically no risk of viruses impacting the older systems. The good news is that every Mac that supports 10.8, supports 10.9, 10.10, and 10.11. And iOS 9 will sync with Mac OS X 10.7.5 for those who don't support later Mac OS X. That only leaves CoreDuo, CoreSolo and PowerPC Macs out in the cold, and those that depend on older PowerPC applications. But even the 10.7.5 users can partition. and install 10.6.8 if needed for PowerPC applications if you have a Mac old enough to run 10.6.8. That includes Macs older than July 20, 2011 in their release date. The upside about limiting your operating system compatibility, is that you don't suffer from bloatware on your own software trying to maintain the compatibility. So backup frequently, and use old software if you must, use cloning software to ensure those backups are complete and easy to restore, and upgrade only when needed. Even if the newer application version requires a newer operating system, there is no need to upgrade unless there is a specific feature you can't find elsewhere.

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User profile for user: Anton Marcelline
Anton Marcelline Author
User level: Level 1
55 points

Nov 4, 2015 7:21 AM in response to woodmeister50

That sounds like a reasonable explanation and backed up by developer colleague of mine who pretty much just said the same thing as you have just replied with.


It's a little frustrating because traditionally developers have hosted (not necessarily supported) multiple versions of an app when hosted on their own website. And traditionally users could skip an OS upgrade if they so which for financial or compatibility reasons if they so chose to.


With regards to what I was saying about Apple Configurator 2, it wasn't so long ago that the version hosted on the AppStore was Yosemite and now it El Capitan and specifically 10.11.1. In your example you were quite dramatic in listing OS's back 10.5. I don't suppose most people would expect a developer to support or even host versions of their app back to 10.5. I think it would be fairer to support at least one or two OS versions back. If not it doesn't make for a bankable system. There's no roadmap per se and products and technologies get dropped without much warning.

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OS X and iOS apps minimum system requirement

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