iOS 11 will render older iPhones, iPads and apps obsolete

Apple’s iOS 11 update means iPhone 5 and 5C will no longer receive updates, while some apps and games will be incompatible after switch to 64-bit

Apple has announced that its new iOS 11, launched at its developer conference in San Jose, will only operate on 64-bit devices, making the iPhone 5 and 5C, among other devices, obsolete and meaning some apps and games may stop working.

The new version of iOS features a new interface and redesigned App Store, but also removes support for 32-bit devices and apps. Apple’s iPhone and iPads have both used 64-bit processors, which allow the system to use larger amounts of memory among other speed advantages, since the A7 processor came with the iPhone 5S and iPad Air in 2013.

That means anyone with an iPhone 5 or 5C will no longer receive software updates for either new features, or more importantly security fixes. The iPad 4 will also stop receiving updates.

But it also means that for users of Apple’s newer smartphones and tablet computers, including the latest iPhone 7 and iPad, some apps that are 32-bit-only and not coded to operate in a 64-bit system will cease to work once their devices are updated to iOS 11.

Users can check which apps and games are affected by navigating to:

Settings > General > About > Applications > App Compatibility

Any apps or games listed there are running in 32-bit mode even on 64-bit devices and aso will not run on iOS 11 unless updated by the developers. One example of a relatively popular game that will not run on iOS 11 in its current form is Ridiculous Fishing that was last updated in 2013.

The new iOS 11 will be available as a free update for supported iPhones and iPads in the summer.

Contributor

Samuel Gibbs

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Apple releases fix for '1970-bricked' iPhones with new beta update
Latest version of iOS 9.3 public beta software reportedly restores broken smartphones through iTunes

Samuel Gibbs

25, Feb, 2016 @10:42 AM

Article image
Prank crashes iPhones with rainbow emoji messages
Jokers are exploiting a bug in iOS and are sending messages stuffed with 🌈 emojis which cause recipients’ iPhones or iPads to freeze

Samuel Gibbs

18, Jan, 2017 @1:09 PM

Article image
Apple faces lawsuit over storage space on iPhones and iPads
Firm failed to tell consumers that iOS 8 software could take up as much as 23.1% of advertised storage capacity, claims lawyer

Samuel Gibbs

02, Jan, 2015 @5:48 PM

Article image
Apple releases second iOS 8 update to fix broken iPhones
iOS 8.0.2 hopes to fix bugs that turned iPhones into iPod touches by breaking mobile phone connections and Touch ID fingerprint sensors. By Samuel Gibbs

Samuel Gibbs

26, Sep, 2014 @9:44 AM

Article image
Your iPhone's password demands aren't just annoying. They're a security flaw
A developer has warned it is possible to create a phishing attack based on a fake sign-in request for Apple ID credentials

Alex Hern

12, Oct, 2017 @11:17 AM

Article image
iOS 10 brings bigger emojis, better Siri and facial recognition to iPhone
Apple launch new version of iPad and iPhone operating system, including redesigned Apple Music, internet of things Home app, and new Apple Watch OS

Samuel Gibbs

14, Jun, 2016 @9:15 AM

Article image
iOS 12: everything you need to know about new iPhone features
Apple has unveiled its new OS for its smartphones and tablets. What does it mean for notifications, privacy and emoji?

Samuel Gibbs

05, Jun, 2018 @11:17 AM

Article image
Apple fixes HomeKit bug that allowed remote unlocking of users' doors
Security flaw in latest iPhone and iPad iOS 11.2 software meant hackers could potentially gain remote control of lights, cameras and locks in smart homes

Samuel Gibbs

08, Dec, 2017 @10:41 AM

Article image
iOS 11: the eight best new features for your iPhone and iPad
New version of Apple’s smartphone and tablet software includes new customisation and multitasking features, and will be available for download today

Samuel Gibbs

19, Sep, 2017 @9:17 AM

Article image
How to fix a broken iOS 10 update that's bricked your iPhone or iPad
If your iPhone or iPad has been ‘bricked’ or stuck with the Apple logo showing, you’ll need a computer, iTunes and a cable to fix it. Here’s how.

Samuel Gibbs

14, Sep, 2016 @8:30 AM