Some Apple devices will be deprived of Apple services. However, there will be a simple remedy: update the OS.
Older Apple devices, whether iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple TV, may soon lose access to some important Apple-branded services such as the App Store, Siri, and Maps. While this may seem intimidating to those using an older Apple device, know that the information isn’t as bad as it sounds, for several reasons.
Some Apple devices will lose Apple services
The news comes from insider StellaFudge, who claims that access to Apple services – everything except iCloud – will be disabled for devices running iOS 11-11.2.6, macOS 10.13-10.13.3, watchOS 4-4.2.3, and tvOS 11-11.2. We need to support Apple services like the App Store, Siri, and Maps.” Apple does not provide a specific date when access will be closed, but clarifies that users with one or more affected devices will receive a notification informing them.
And finally, important information: all the software versions mentioned by StellaFudge are quite old and have been replaced by several newer versions that users can easily upgrade to. For example, the latest version of iOS 11 is iOS 11.4.1 and the latest version of macOS High Sierra or 10.13 is 10.13.6.
However, there will be a simple remedy: update the OS
This means that the vast majority of users should no longer be using one of the vulnerable versions, as it could introduce bugs and other security vulnerabilities. However, the exception is developers who would like to test something on devices with slightly outdated versions, but there should be less and less of them as versions go.
Moreover, the vast majority of Apple users are already using newer versions. For example, the February 14, 2023 Apple Brand Support Document indicates that 72% of all iPhones in circulation are running iOS 16, 20% are running iOS 15, and only 8% are running an older version.
From the beginning of May, access to Apple services, with the exception of iCloud, will no longer work on devices running:
– iOS 11-11.2.6
– macOS 10.13-10.13.3
– watchOS 4-4.2.3
– tvOS 11-11.2. 6
You will most likely receive a notification prompting you to update
— Stella-Fudge (@StellaFudge) April 5, 2023