Is your iPhone too old? This is how long Apple really supports iPhones for
If you are thinking of buying an older generation or used/refurbished iPhone, or wondering whether it’s worth upgrading your current iPhone to a new one, one important factor to consider is how long Apple will continue to support it.
The good news is that Apple provides software support for iPhones for many years. In most cases, iPhones receive security-related software updates for seven to eight years. Battery replacements and other repair services are often available for devices that are five to seven years old.
Read on to find out which iPhones are supported with the latest version of iOS, and which are eligible for servicing and repairs.
Which iPhones should you avoid?
We recommend avoiding the iPhone XS, iPhone XR, and any older models. These devices cannot run iOS 26 and are likely nearing the end of Apple’s security update support.
We also hesitate to recommend the iPhone 11. Although it remains the oldest iPhone compatible with iOS 26 and will support iOS 27, it launched in 2019 and is now approaching seven years old. Apple’s iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max have already been added to Apple’s Vintage Products list, suggesting the standard iPhone 11 may not be far behind.
How long does Apple support iPhones with iOS updates?
In general, Apple provides many years of iPhone support. Major iOS updates typically continue for around five to seven years, while security-related updates can last even longer.
Apple does not officially guarantee a fixed support period, but its track record shows a strong commitment to long-term device viability. In some cases, security-related coverage has extended for as long as a decade or more.
It is important to distinguish between major iOS updates and security-only updates.
Major iOS Updates: These bring new features, interface changes, and app updates. You can typically expect an iPhone to support the latest version of iOS for around five to seven years. The iPhone 11, released in 2019, can run iOS 26 and iOS 27, although not all new features will be available on older hardware.
Security Updates: Older iPhones do not immediately become unsupported when they stop receiving major iOS updates. Apple continues to issue critical security patches for older versions of iOS for several years, extending the safe lifespan of a device.
For example, the iPhone XR and iPhone XS, launched in 2018, cannot run iOS 26, but Apple has continued to issue security updates for them through iOS 18. That support extends even further back: in May 2026, Apple issued security updates for devices limited to iOS 15 and iOS 16, including the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and the first-generation iPhone SE. That means some iPhones released in 2015 were still receiving security updates 11 years after launch. However, we do not expect Apple to continue supporting iOS 15 and iOS 16 beyond September 2026.
Device specific security updates: Apple has changed how it distributes some security updates. iOS 18 security updates are now only available for iPhones that cannot run iOS 26. That means anyone using iOS 18 on an iPhone that is compatible with iOS 26 needs to update to iOS 26 to receive the latest security fixes. Previously, security updates for older iOS versions were generally available to any device running that software version. Similarly, Apple no longer issues iOS 17-specific updates because all iPhones capable of running iOS 17 can also run iOS 18. The last iOS 17 update was iOS 17.7.2 in November 2024.
Certificate coverage: In January 2026 Apple issued updates to iOS 12, 15, 16 and 18 to extend certificates required for services such as iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation to continue working beyond January 2027. Those updates included support for older devices such as 2013’s iPhone 5S and 2014’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. However, Apple withdrew these updates after network issues prevented some older iPhones from making emergency calls.
You should be very cautious about using an iPhone that no longer receives security fixes, as unpatched vulnerabilities can put your device and data at risk.
Which iPhones can run the latest iOS?
Britta O’Boyle
- The 2019 iPhone 11 is the oldest iPhone able to run iOS 26 and iOS 27.
Both iOS 26 and, when it launches, iOS 27 support the same iPhone models – all iPhone models released from 2019 onwards. This includes the following devices:
- iPhone 17 Series, including iPhone Air and 17e (2025)
- iPhone 16 Series, including iPhone 16e (2024)
- iPhone 15 Series (2023)
- iPhone 14 Series (2022)
- iPhone SE (3rd gen, 2022)
- iPhone 13 Series (2021)
- iPhone 12 Series (2020)
- iPhone SE iPhone SE (2nd gen, 2020)
- iPhone 11 Series (2019)
Which iPhones run each version of iOS?
The chart below shows each version of iOS and the iPhones it ran on. As you can see, in recent years support for new iOS versions has stretched back for around six years, while, if you include the versions that Apple supports with security updates, the cover goes back a further year.
iOS support chart by model
Every version of iOS and the iPhones it supports.
Foundry
What is the oldest iPhone still supported by Apple?
- iPhone XS and iPhone XR – supported by iOS 18 security updates
- iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone SE (1st generation), and iPhone 6s – supported by iOS 16 and iOS 15 security updates
As of May 2026, Apple is still supporting the 2015 iPhone 6s with security updates via iOS 15, while the 2019 iPhone 11 is able to run the latest version of iOS – iOS 26, and will be able to run iOS 27.
However, support for these older devices is unlikely to continue for much longer. It is unclear how much longer Apple will continue to provide security updates for iOS 15 and iOS 16 – and, by extension, the iPhones that run those versions. The arrival of iOS 27 in fall 2026 may spell the end of support for iOS 15 and 16.
A good indication that Apple will end support is the fact that Apple has already classified the iPhone SE (1st generation) as obsolete. Meanwhile, the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS and XS Max, and iPhone 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max are all on Apple’s vintage products list.
Which iPhones are too old
IDG
We don’t recommend using the following iPhone models because they no longer receive critical security updates, or are likely to stop receiving such updates soon. Using one of these iPhones could therefore put your security at risk:
- iPhone XR (2018)
- iPhone XS/XS Max (2018)
- iPhone X (2017)
- iPhone 8/8 Plus (2017)
- iPhone 7/7 Plus (2016)
- iPhone SE (2016)
- iPhone 6s/6s Plus (2014)
- iPhone 6/6 Plus (2014)
- iPhone 5s (2013)
- iPhone 5c (2013)
- iPhone 5 (2012)
- iPhone 4s (2011)
- iPhone 4 (2010)
- iPhone 3GS (2009)
- iPhone 3G (2008)
- iPhone (2007)
For more information, see our list of every version of iOS.
When will Apple stop supporting each iPhone?
Truth is we don’t know for sure, but on the basis that Apple supports phones for five to seven years after they are removed from sale:
- iPhone XS (2018-2019) – Approx 2026
- iPhone XR (2018-2021) – Approx 2026-2028
- iPhone 11 (2019-2022) – Approx 2027-2029
- iPhone SE2 (2020-2022) – Approx 2027-2029
- iPhone 12 (2020-2023) – Approx 2028-2030
- iPhone 13 (2021) – Approx 2032
- iPhone SE3 (2022) – Approx 2033
- iPhone 14 (2022) – Approx 2034
- iPhone 15 (2023) – Approx 2035
- iPhone 16 (2024) – Approx 2036
- iPhone 17 (2025) – Approx 2037
Apple Intelligence: With the arrival of Apple Intelligence AI features and their hardware requirements, the older iPhones are likely to become obsolete faster.
When does Apple stop repairing old iPhones?
Foundry
When it comes to repairs, Apple supports iPhones (and all devices it makes) for seven years from the last time it sold that particular model. So as long as your iPhone was still being sold by Apple up to seven years ago, the company or a third-party service provider will still service it.
Apple distinguishes between iPhones (and other devices) that are obsolete and vintage.
- Vintage Apple Products: These are products that Apple stopped selling between five and seven years ago. They are considered old, but there may be limited access to repairs depending on whether Apple has the parts available.
- Obsolete Apple Products: These are products that Apple stopped selling between more than seven years ago. They are considered end-of-life and will no longer be repaired by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Obsolete iPhones
The following iPhones are now considered Obsolete, which means sales were discontinued more than seven years ago and Apple has now discontinued all hardware servicing.
- iPhone
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 4 (all models now obsolete from 2026)
- iPhone 4s
- iPhone 5 (discontinued September 2013, obsolete in 2026)
- iPhone 5c (discontinued September 2013, obsolete in 2021)
- iPhone 5S (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2024)
- iPhone 6 (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2025)
- iPhone 6 Plus (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2021, obsolete in 2024)
- iPhone 6s (32GB) (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2024)
- iPhone 6s Plus (32GB) (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2024)
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus (PRODUCT) Red (discontinued in 2018, obsolete in 2026)
- iPhone SE, 2016 (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2023, obsolete 2025)
Vintage iPhones
And the iPhones below are listed as Vintage, which means they have not been sold for more than five years (but less than seven years). Apple will still service these products as long as it has the required parts. So you could say that the oldest iPhone still supported by Apple is now the ten-year-old iPhone 6s, but we don’t expect that Apple will have the required parts.
Prior to March 2026, Apple still listed the iPhone 5 and one 8GB model of the iPhone 4 as vintage, more than 12 years on from when they were first sold.
- iPhone 6s (16GB, 64GB, 128GB) (discontinued in 2016, vintage in 2022)
- iPhone 6s Plus (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2022)
- iPhone 7 (discontinued in 2019, vintage in May 2025)
- iPhone 7 Plus (discontinued in 2019, vintage in May 2025)
- iPhone 7 (PRODUCT) Red (discontinued in 2017, March 2022)
- iPhone 8 (discontinued in 2020, vintage in 2024)
- iPhone 8 Plus (discontinued in 2020, vintage in 2024)
- iPhone X (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2024)
- iPhone XS (discontinued in 2018, vintage in 2024
- iPhone XS Max (discontinued in 2019, vintage in June 2025)
- iPhone 11 Pro & Pro Max (discontinued in 2020, vintage in September 2025)
All iPhones that followed those handsets, so iPhone 12 onwards, should be fully supported by Apple – for now.
You may also be interested to learn how long Apple supports Macs and how long Apple supports iPads. We also have guides for getting a broken iPhone fixed and how much Apple product repairs cost.
Is your iPhone slipping into obscurity? Find a great deal on a new iPhone here or check the best prices below and take a look at our round-up to choose the Best iPhone for you.
iPhone Air
iPhone 17
iPhone 17 Pro
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Christopher Holloway is the founder and director of Progressive Robot, a UK-based technology company. A full-stack engineer with more than two decades of experience, he works across PHP development, ecommerce, Linux infrastructure, technical SEO and AI automation, and writes here on technology, AI, hardware and software.
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