Apple's iOS 11 leaves iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, 4th-gen iPad in dust in 64-bit transition
In one fell swoop, this fall's forthcoming iOS 11 update will mark the end of support for not only 32-bit apps, but also legacy 32-bit devices. That means owners still clinging to their iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and fourth-generation iPad will be left behind -- or forced to upgrade.
Though they received last year's iOS 10 update, the trio of devices running the Apple A6 CPU -- the last custom processor the company made with a 32-bit architecture -- will not be making the trip to iOS 11.
The move isn't a surprise, as Apple's recently released Clips video app only supports 64-bit hardware, meaning it cannot run on the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, fourth-generation iPad, or any devices older than those.
Accordingly, iOS 11 will also mark the end of the line for 32-bit apps, which do not run in the first beta of the mobile operating system. Developers will need to update their apps to 64-bit before the launch of iOS 11 this fall, or else users will need to ditch abandoned apps before upgrading.
Of course, the iPhone 5 and other legacy devices will still function properly with iOS 10.3.2 and earlier if users choose to continue to stick on legacy platforms. But the outdated hardware and software will become increasingly obsolete over time, and there is no guarantee that functions or apps will continue to work as expected.
Such changes every year, and the phasing out of older hardware, are not new. Last year the popular iPhone 4s did not make the cut for iOS 10, and users who continue to use Apple's last 3.5-inch iPhone model cannot update past iOS 9.3.5.
Though they received last year's iOS 10 update, the trio of devices running the Apple A6 CPU -- the last custom processor the company made with a 32-bit architecture -- will not be making the trip to iOS 11.
The move isn't a surprise, as Apple's recently released Clips video app only supports 64-bit hardware, meaning it cannot run on the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, fourth-generation iPad, or any devices older than those.
Accordingly, iOS 11 will also mark the end of the line for 32-bit apps, which do not run in the first beta of the mobile operating system. Developers will need to update their apps to 64-bit before the launch of iOS 11 this fall, or else users will need to ditch abandoned apps before upgrading.
Of course, the iPhone 5 and other legacy devices will still function properly with iOS 10.3.2 and earlier if users choose to continue to stick on legacy platforms. But the outdated hardware and software will become increasingly obsolete over time, and there is no guarantee that functions or apps will continue to work as expected.
Such changes every year, and the phasing out of older hardware, are not new. Last year the popular iPhone 4s did not make the cut for iOS 10, and users who continue to use Apple's last 3.5-inch iPhone model cannot update past iOS 9.3.5.
Comments
I don't think the gains would be big, but Apple isn't one to waste a nanometer on legacy.
Seems to me that the apps/functions would only become obsolete if they use back end services that no longer support them. Can you give an example in the iOS world where that has happened? Standalone apps (e.g. your solitaire app) will probably never become obsolete.
The one I think of are some of the financial apps out there. Seems like they force me to update to the latest version, even if I am behind only one version.
Yah, let's not cast disrespect over users. Just because technology moves forward, that doesn't mean that users are "clinging" to devices that may continue to be working just fine for them.
At least wife & I have iPhones 5s, but the '09 Mac Pro, iPad2 & iPad4 are getting further & further behind every year... That's tech though. Ugh.
Yah, let's not cast disrespect over users. Just because technology moves forward, that doesn't mean that users are "clinging" to devices that may continue to be working just fine for them.
Or like us, just not in the budget.
Case in point I'm still using an iPhone 4! It isn't so much clinging as it is a case of putting my money into other Apple products. The important thing for me is that the iPhone actually works as a cell phone and can still read my E-Mail and other platform wide files. This is one reason why I never tried to break into the device to get full access, it just isn't worth it on the iPhone. Now iPad is a different story, but yeah the idea that we cling to the devices is a bit idiotic, we simply spend our money on other things more important to us.
Older software like Adobe CS Suites sometimes have 32-bit support/license components or plugins that will no longer run so for some, that will be the end of their 'perpetual' license.
People can check if they have any processes on the Mac running 32-bit in Activity Monitor, right-click the subtitle bar and add Kind to the list then order by kind to see 32-bit processes.
On iOS, being stuck on an older OS means developers with older hardware can't author to their devices for testing. This isn't all that big of a deal though because the newer hardware is cheap enough - $155 for a good condition 64-bit iPhone unlocked:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRISTINE-Apple-iPhone-5s-16GB-32GB-64GB-Unlocked-SIM-Free-Smartphone-Grade-A-/112418218568
There's not much excuse holding onto old mobile hardware when compatible hardware is that cheap. The iPad costs a bit more but Apple's newest one starts at $329 so used ones will be cheap enough to get.
On iOS, it's actually a benefit to developers to be able to cut support for older devices because it means no non-Retina devices, no 3.5" phones etc. Unity has some stats on devices used to play games:
https://hwstats.unity3d.com/mobile/device-ios.html
The majority of users should all be on 64-bit hardware anyway. The 5S is the most popular there. It also shows the iPad mini models combined have more usage than the iPhone 6 so I guess it sold ok considering the iPhone 6 must have sold at least 100 million units. The original iPad mini will be cut off from iOS 11, they can get an iPad mini 2 for $189:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-iPad-2-3-4-Mini-Air-Pro-WiFi-Tablet-16GB-32GB-64GB-128GB-I-GRADE-A-R-/182585625963
But, while the fact that it won't get any OS upgrades after September doesn't bother either of us, does that mean it won't receive security updates either? If so, that's a problem. It makes sense that Apple would cut off both functional and security updates together, but since I don't see any discussion about that, it makes me wonder.
Actually, for me, security is far more important than the functional upgrades -- which tend to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary at this point.