Apple’s services have been deeply associated with their operating systems for the past few years. This is reflected in the countless features and utilities the tech giant has managed to pack in with the likes of iOS and macOS. That said, these services have stayed alive even in the face of newer software, and could be accessible through older models of Apple products. But, it seems that this is all about to change, with Apple announcing that they will be shutting down access to certain services on older software versions.
According to reports from an anonymous source known as StellaFudge, Apple is said to stop providing online services aside from iCloud on older versions of its operating systems, including iOS 11, watchOS 4, macOS High Sierra, and tvOS 11. StellaFudge has previously released information regarding some highly anticipated Apple products, including the AirPods Max and the iPhone 12 lineup, so their reliability is not something to be disregarded.
Supported by a recent support article from Apple, it appears as though this plan to shut down access on certain software is part of the tech giant’s grand scheme. Even with devices such as the iPhone 3GS, which has not received any new updates for years now, users were still able to make the most of the features and services available through the company’s platforms.
Exactly why Apple is taking this route is still uncertain, but it is possible that this may be due to a major upgrade to their online services or as means to phase out the use of certain older devices. This decision could be detrimental to a large majority of users who owns such devices, as some of them may lack the financial ability (or any other relevant factor) to purchase newer models.
To make matters worse, whispers suggest that iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and other future versions are said to stop support completely for devices such as the iPhone 8 and the first-generation iPad Pro. Additionally, iOS 16 stopped providing support to other devices such as the first-generation iPhone SE and last iPod touch model. It seems that Apple is intent on slimming their range of supported devices and there is no doubt that this will make a huge difference to the many loyal users.
At the moment, Apple has merely hinted at the coming changes for their services, but nothing has been officially announced. That being said, more details may be revealed at the annual WWDC convention come June 2023. Of course, we will be sure to keep you in the loop if and when more information is released.
Although some of the older software versions of Apple services may be in danger of being phased out, the reliability and performance of the newer versions could become even greater. As they always do, Apple is sure to provide the best experience to their users, even if it means going through slight inconveniences due to the changes.
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