iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe are now officially here after months of beta testing. The new OSes feature a huge redesign and lots of new features. And now, Apple is cutting people with some super-old OSes from accessing iCloud.
iPhones running iOS 10 and macs running macOS Sierra won't be able to access iCloud
Apple is now pulling support for the older operating systems with the release of the new iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe. This is not surprising. Usually, around the time when major new operating systems are introduced, Apple cleans up its other services. iCloud now doesn't support some older OS versions.
The requirements for iCloud have been updated on its support page on September 15. The support page now includes the new operating systems from the 26 line. But that's not the only change. MacRumors spotted that the support page no longer includes iOS 10 and macOS Sierra from the platforms supporting iCloud.
iCloud services are a huge deal for Apple devices
Image Credit - PhoneArena
Now, as a bare minimum, your iPhone needs to run iOS 11 and your Mac macOS High Sierra for you to be able to use iCloud services. iCloud services include iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, iCloud Tabs, iMessage, the Keychain, and other features.
Are you still rocking an older iPhone that can’t update anymore?
Yes, I still use one daily
14.29%
I keep one as a backup device
28.57%
Nope, I’ve moved on to newer models
28.57%
I can’t believe people still use those!
28.57%
As you can see, iCloud is important for keeping your documents online and syncing between your different Apple devices, your Photos, and even your passwords.
So, if your device is running these (frankly, somewhat seriously old) operating systems, you should update to newer versions if you want to keep your iCloud support. Of course, it may not be possible in all cases.
For example, the iPhone 5 supports iOS 10 but no later iOS version, so the iPhone 5 cannot update. Basically, the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5c, and the iPad 4th gen can no longer access iCloud.
Luckily, if you're on a Mac, you can update to macOS High Sierra, as all hardware that supports macOS Sierra can do that.
Apple cannot support all iPhones ever released
In December 2024, Apple ended iCloud Backup support for phones running iOS 8 or earlier versions.
But ending support for older devices is pretty understandable. I mean, Apple is one of the companies that supports its devices for quite some time, issuing updates to older devices for a long time. But, as you can imagine, the company can't just support your iPhone forever, as that would require way too much work, alongside what Apple's already doing for newer iPhones. And chances are, not a lot of people are rocking an iPhone 5 anyway.
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Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.
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