Apple's iOS 17 Will Not Work With Some Older iPhone Models: Check This Out

Apple introduced iOS 17 at the current WWDC 2023 developer event, which includes several upgrades to existing features as well as some new ones. There's a new Standby mode, a new Journal app, the option to leave a message on FaceTime, and many more improvements. Users will be able to engage with widgets, exchange phone numbers via NameDrop, and even share AirDrop transfers over the internet in the near future. While the bulk of these capabilities will be available on the most current iPhone 14 series and variants, Apple has opted to discontinue support for some earlier devices.

With the expanding number of smartphone alternatives (with more to come later this year), it's no surprise that Apple has opted to discontinue software support for some older devices. While the Cupertino tech behemoth has not said why this is happening (it might be due to the A12 Bionic chipset), it has announced that it would discontinue support for iPhone models released before to 2018.

This threshold currently encompasses three devices in particular: the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. For the time being, all three are supported by the current iOS 16 versions, but Apple's website plainly states that they will not get the new iOS 17 upgrade when it becomes available later this year.

iOS 17, which was revealed last night, is now available as a developer beta for download. Only users with a developer account can access these files. Older devices supported with iOS 17 include the complete iPhone 13 series, the iPhone 12 series, and the iPhone 11 series. The iOS 17 software upgrade will also be available for the iPhone Xs, Xs Max, Xr, SE (2020), and the most current SE (2022).

Apple's iPhone X was the first to include Apple's Face ID 3D identification technology. It was also the first iPhone to include a stainless-steel frame, ushering in Apple's much-needed switch to bezel-less screens.

At the same time, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were Apple's final premium models to have Touch ID identification technology. Apple continues to employ Touch ID on various iPad models and MacBooks, but the iPhone SE (2020) and iPhone SE (2022) are the only inexpensive iPhone models that do, with every other model switching to Face ID.