iPhone 5 or earlier Apple says don’t use iPhone after 7 years.

[eyoungren]

I'd not put my private data on it. If used to play music or a flashlight... keep it.

My private data is on each one to some extent. But only the 6s+ leaves the house and that's for two 30 minute walks around my neighborhood each day. It's the only one with a SIM, the rest are on my home WiFi.

And to be real honest, only the 6s+ is actually used with any frequency.

 

[sam_dean]

My private data is on each one to some extent. But only the 6s+ leaves the house and that's for two 30 minute walks around my neighborhood each day. It's the only one with a SIM, the rest are on my home WiFi.

And to be real honest, only the 6s+ is actually used with any frequency.

To be more succinct financial data that impacts money and other instruments.

 

[eyoungren]

To be more succinct financial data that impacts money and other instruments.

While I do have that stuff on my primary and secondary phones (11 Pro Max and 6s+), as I mentioned in another thread, I tend to do any financial transactions on my computers. Those are old too, but I'm primarily paying bills on long established accounts that are set to authenticate with 2FA or Google Authenticator. Other stuff, like eBay or Amazon are also set the same way.

I know when my bills are due, I know what I have and I know how all these sites communicate with me because I set it all up.

 

[Fred Zed]

As of recently, an iPhone 5 doesn't work with Xfinity Mobile (and the Verizon network it's on, I assume). So there's that.

Was the article paid for and sponsored by Samsung ?

 

[canuckRus]

Any lithium battery can catch fire. Usually it happens if the battery is damaged somehow. Inside edition is not exactly the news. I’s kind of like a tabloid show for celebrities.

You shouldn’t use an iPhone after seven years because it’s not getting security updat

 

[russell_314]

Just got another security update (15.73) for my 6s several days ago.

OK I take that back. They are doing some critical updates but to my understanding you don't get all the security updates. It's the same thing with macOS. People see they're still getting some updates and assume that they're getting all the updates but that's not true. Apple is really dodgy when it comes to answering questions about security updates because they don't want the bad guys knowing exactly what to do.

I guess depending on what you do with your device. You might be OK if it's just a phone and text message device but if you're someone that keeps all your bank cards, pay bills and stuff like that I would be hesitant to be on an older version of the OS.

 

[kenni417]

I'm more impressed by the fact that someone was using an IPHONE 4 in 2023 as supposed to the fire.

 

[sam_dean]

I'm more impressed by the fact that someone was using an IPHONE 4 in 2023 as supposed to the fire.

In sh_thole nations that's the iPhone of choice.

I'm just wondering whether the couple's cost cutting or tech phobic

 

[riverfreak]

I shelved my iPhone 4 in its original box when I got my iPhone 5.

At some point in the intervening years, the battery expanded and blew out the back glass.

 

[sam_dean]

I shelved my iPhone 4 in its original box when I got my iPhone 5.

At some point in the intervening years, the battery expanded and blew out the back glass.

Makes sense to just liquidate old devices upon activating new ones.

 

[riverfreak]

Makes sense to just liquidate old devices upon activating new ones.

Totally. But I used to be a fervent “collector”. Dumb.

 

[sam_dean]

Totally. But I used to be a fervent “collector”. Dumb.

Junk takes up space and is a literal fire hazard

 

[riverfreak]

Junk takes up space and is a literal fire hazard

I’d post a photo in the “show us your office” thread but I don’t want to invite more ridicule. 😂😀☠️

 

[sam_dean]

I’d post a photo in the “show us your office” thread but I don’t want to invite more ridicule. 😂😀☠️

TBH I wish I made it a habit to liquidate devices the day I get their replacements.

I'd avoid getting a hoarder label.

 

[FeliApple]

Makes sense to just liquidate old devices upon activating new ones.

People use older devices constantly and they’re useful. Like the pointless security argument, this argument of “it’s fully updated or you should burn it in a little bonfire” is getting way too common for how wrong it is.

Just to illustrate how against it I am, I don’t have a single device that I use regularly that’s fully updated. Not one. I don’t have a single iOS device on iOS or iPadOS 16, either, and it’s not because they’re too old to run it.

 

[sam_dean]

People use older devices constantly and they’re useful. Like the pointless security argument, this argument of “it’s fully updated or you should burn it in a little bonfire” is getting way too common for how wrong it is.

Just to illustrate how against it I am, I don’t have a single device that I use regularly that’s fully updated. Not one. I don’t have a single iOS device on iOS or iPadOS 16, either, and it’s not because they’re too old to run it.

My financial data's important to me and I rather not deal with hotline calls to resolve it over the fact I failed to update software.

If others do not have that sense of urgency then I look forward to your forum post about it.

When the device will be left idle then liquidate or else it may catch fire and the pointless argument on security becomes moot.

 

[eyoungren]

My financial data's important to me and I rather not deal with hotline calls to resolve it over the fact I failed to update software.

If others do not have that sense of urgency then I look forward to your forum post about it.

Just scroll up, my forum post about it is in this very thread.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-says-dont-use-iphone-after-7-years.2378132/page-2?post=31907500#post-31907500

When the device will be left idle then liquidate or else it may catch fire and the pointless argument on security becomes moot.

If this is a real concern for you, then you need to get serious and ditch any device you have that uses these type of batteries, no matter how new. Your current devices are fire hazards right now.

 

[sam_dean]

Just scroll up, my forum post about it is in this very thread.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-says-dont-use-iphone-after-7-years.2378132/page-2?post=31907500#post-31907500

If this is a real concern for you, then you need to get serious and ditch any device you have that uses these type of batteries, no matter how new. Your current devices are fire hazards right now.

I believe we've had this discussion and I agree with your position on it.

 

[FeliApple]

My financial data's important to me and I rather not deal with hotline calls to resolve it over the fact I failed to update software.

If others do not have that sense of urgency then I look forward to your forum post about it.

When the device will be left idle then liquidate or else it may catch fire and the pointless argument on security becomes moot.

Agree with @eyoungren, the real (i.e., not perceived, but tangible) security and safety risk is so infinitely low that it’s a non-issue.

Risk assessment is often way off the mark: it’s far riskier to get into a car, or ride watercraft, or any other number of activities, than your house catching fire due to a battery. It just isn’t common or frequent enough. People use millions of 12-year-old devices without issues.

The only safety precaution I take is using original, slow chargers, and avoiding heat at all costs. The likelihood of anything happening is microscopically low.

 

[clueless88]

Agree with @eyoungren, the real (i.e., not perceived, but tangible) security and safety risk is so infinitely low that it’s a non-issue.

Risk assessment is often way off the mark: it’s far riskier to get into a car, or ride watercraft, or any other number of activities, than your house catching fire due to a battery. It just isn’t common or frequent enough. People use millions of 12-year-old devices without issues.

The only safety precaution I take is using original, slow chargers, and avoiding heat at all costs. The likelihood of anything happening is microscopically low.

Statistics are simply irrelevant to the afflicted individual(s). If you are one of the victims of a one in a million event, you (or your family/friends) take little solace in the fact that there are 999,999 non-victims.

It is difficult for many to do risk assessment independent of emotion and/or external (mis)information, especially like the one in the Inside Edition piece that the OP posted.

 

[FeliApple]

Statistics are simply irrelevant to the afflicted individual(s). If you are one of the victims of a one in a million event, you (or your family/friends) take little solace in the fact that there are 999,999 non-victims.

It is difficult for many to do risk assessment independent of emotion and/or external (mis)information, especially like the one in the Inside Edition piece that the OP posted.

Agreed!

 

[sunapple]

I use an iPhone 4S for the purpose of playing music on my wired speakers. Replaced the battery some time ago. You should probably always keep an eye on your battery powered devices. I’d rather use it like normal and replace the battery when required then shelve it for longer periods of time. I used to collect iPods which I do miss, but I’m glad I don’t have to deal with the batteries anymore.

 

[KOTN91]

And I should get rid of everything. I don’t update anything, so nothing gets security updates. My iPad Air 5? The latest model? Just set it on fire, too useless, because it’s on iPadOS 15. My iPhone 6s? Burn it too! My Xʀ on iOS 12? Right down the fireplace it goes.

Maybe we should get together and host an Apple Bonfire! I have a bunch of devices I can contribute so as to light it up. You have several, too!

Obviously I find the “not getting security updates = useless” argument not too valid.

Yes frankly all of those devices should be thrown on the bonfire, except the XR which should be updated to the latest software. Why don’t you update anything? Are you a conspiracy theorist that thinks apple is slowing your device to make you upgrade?

 

[FeliApple]

Yes frankly all of those devices should be thrown on the bonfire, except the XR which should be updated to the latest software. Why don’t you update anything? Are you a conspiracy theorist that thinks apple is slowing your device to make you upgrade?

The Air 5 is literally the latest model...

I will never update this Xʀ. If Apple forces me, I'll throw it into the bonfire myself.

iOS updates severely impact performance and obliterate battery life. I'd like a perfectly functioning device for a very long time, if possible. And it is possible! Never update and it will work correctly forever.

Like I said, the mere suggestion that because a device isn't updated it becomes completely useless and should be thrown away (!) is ridiculous.

A final clarifying paragraph: on the conspiracy theory thing, I don't know whether Apple does it on purpose or not, but frankly, it doesn't matter.
I mean that I don't know whether they could do more to alleviate issues or not. New features consume more battery and put more strain on the processor, which consumes more battery. Whether Apple can slightly alleviate the impact of that, I don't know. I'm inclined to side with Apple here, even: it's more possible that they optimise it the best they can than the opposite, but it doesn't matter. The end result is far worse than I'd like. So yeah, even though I'm more inclined to side with "there is nothing nefarious on purpose going on", it doesn't mean the impact isn't there. No conspiracy whatsoever.


What matters is the final result: Apple obliterates performance and battery life through updates, and I can do nothing to prevent that other than never update anything, regardless of whether it's the latest model (My Air 5 is the latest model and will remain on iPadOS 15), or an older device (my iPhone 6s is not supported anymore and will remain on iOS 10).

 

[ReneeReader]

I didn't look finishing viewing the youtube video, but I still have my old 4S, stopped using it about 6 years ago. I still charge it up occasionally, but the battery life is very short, and most of the apps I use are not compatible with older OSes.

Apple did NOT say don't use the phone for more than 7 years. The representative just said that Apple does not expect their average customer to use/own an iPhone for more than 7 years. Looking at how often folks turn their Apple technology over, especially on this forum, this is indeed true. However, there are many of those of us who use technology more than 7 years old.

The family had an iPhone 4--was this the original battery? If if was, it most likely had to be charged at least once during the daytime as well as at night. Chances are that the original battery was replaced once or twice. The first replacement could have been an Apple OEM one, but any recent replacement would be a third party one. The third party battery quality varies widely, there have been numerous reports of the third party lithium (LIPO) batteries catching fire.

It's interesting that the quoted tech expert recommended getting older technology inspected and if necessary, replace the battery without any caveats regarding third party batteries.

I also wonder why the smoke alarm didn't wake the family up? Lithium batteries burn pretty hot and can spew really nasty particulate matter. Due to the heat of the battery fire one would also expect the countertop to sustain some damage.

I wonder if the phone was being charged with the original 5W (5V 1A) Apple charger or if they were using a higher amperage one like the 10W or 12W.

What is the likelihood that they were using an OEM cable? All of the original cables that we have are long gone and had an extremely short half life. Non-OEM cables could lead to charging issues as well.

No doubt the family did experience a lot of angst--am thankful that there was no other collateral damage. Would be nice to find out all of the facts.

Thanks for summarizing the event - and clarifying that the headline is misleading.