Apple shuts down services on devices with older software

US tech giant Apple is reportedly planning to shut down access to its online services on devices running older software versions, including iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS, starting in early May. With the exception of iCloud, the move affects devices running iOS 11-11.2.6, macOS 10.13-10.13.3, watchOS 4-4.2.3, and tvOS 11-11.2.6.

According to a MacRumors report, users of these older software versions may receive a push notification from Apple prompting them to update their device to a newer software version. The company did not clarify why its services would stop working with these older software versions.

However, according to the report, the change is expected to affect only a small part of users.

Since the release of iOS 16.4.1, Apple has also stopped signing iOS 16.3.1, preventing iPhone users from upgrading to that software version.

iOS 16.3.1 was released on February 13 and was a minor update that included bug fixes, security improvements, and other crash detection optimizations for the iPhone 14 models. Apple routinely stops signing older iOS releases over time to prevent users from migrating to outdated software.

The company has recently released a new iOS 16.4 update that includes new features such as new emoticons, web push notifications, and noise isolation for mobile calls. Users can update their device to the latest version by going to Settings, General, and then Software Update.

According to Apple’s release notes, iOS 16.4.1 adds a fix for an issue that could cause Siri to become unresponsive in some cases, and adds skin tones to the pushing hands emoji.

Apple claims that the sound isolation technology helps eliminate background noise during a call, resulting in clearer sound quality.

The company is already testing iOS 16.5 and will soon move to work on iOS 17, the next-generation version of iOS expected to be unveiled at WWDC in June.

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