Allowing iOS Security Updates Without Upgrading
Apple has never been flexible when it comes to iOS updates. While users can choose not to install an update, you will be left without security fixes if you don’t install the latest version of iOS available. Although Apple still updates iOS 12 for older iPhones and iPads, devices currently supported by the company don’t have the option to run this operating system with the latest security updates.
For the first time, Apple will allow users to stay on the previous major version when iOS 15 ships in the fall. Users will have the choice to stay on iOS 14 and receive important security updates, or upgrade to iOS 15 to take advantage of all the new features.
So, more like the Mac. Bravo.
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I'm not sure why this is debuting with iOS 15, which supports all of the previous iOS 14 devices and doesn't have drastic user-facing changes that might impede adoption. Maybe antitrust or other legislative considerations?
vintner
Yes, in various European countries and the EU itself I think – and probably elsewhere – there are plans and recommendations to combat “planned obsolesce” where tech products have to be supported for 10 years or so. I think Apple is being proactive and testing out the grounds with this first release to expand further in the future. Good move that should have happened (much) earlier!
@ Philippe
Except Apple already supports devices that couldn’t upgrade past the last cutoff (iOS 12) with security updates. So I don’t see how this lays the groundwork for anything that wasn’t already being done, in terms of supporting older devices (as opposed to supporting older operating systems, which is not the same thing).
Also the idea of an iPhone (let alone an Android device) lasting for 10 years, in terms of being able to run current software, is absolutely insane and will go nowhere on a large scale. People aren’t going to give a fig if their device lasts 10 years if they can’t run Facebook, or Instagram, or Whatsapp.*
Not to mention current battery technology doesn’t allow for devices that last that long without multiple battery replacements, something that most people aren’t going to want to deal with on a regular basis.
* or maybe something not made by Facebook? That’s a little scary that those are the most popular apps I could think of. Well, at least I don’t use them, so I’m doing my part.
