iOS devices no longer able to get patches

[audiophilosophy]

I have an iPhone 5 that will not be able to upgrade to iOS 11. I really have no need to get a new phone, and I'd like to keep using my iPhone 5, but I know that Apple does not provide security updates for any iOS versions besides the most recent one that's out at any time.

I understand that very soon from now iOS 10 will be considered insecure. I've tried to do some research on the actual risks of using an outdated version of iOS, but I have not come across any articles or anything that have been more than just a superficial sort of threat that you will be open to security attacks.

What I'd like to know is what are the actual dangers for a regular person using an outdated iOS version? I don't go to any weird websites or anything that might increase my chances of getting a virus, and my iPhone is not jailbroken. Is it really all that unsafe to run on an old iOS?

There are a lot of frivolous lawsuits out there, many of which have targeted Apple. But I would think it would be totally legitimate for there to be a class action lawsuit against Apple for the fact that they don't do vital security patches for older OSs.

I'm not asking of for or expecting my old iPhone to get iOS 11, but I do think consumers ought to expect basic security patches to be sent out to their working devices even if Apple will not let those devices upgrade to the latest software version.

Vehicle manufacturers have safety recalls all the time for old model vehicles because it's an issue of customer security and safety. Same thing should apply to security for a device OS. It's not like it would cost Apple a fortune to have a few people work on the code for security patches for the millions of iPones, iPods, and iPads out there that are running an old version of iOS. My old iPhone works fine and I want to continue to get use out of it. If there really are serious security threats out there, then shame on Apple for taking this stance on security updates.

 

[Mlrollin91]

I have an iPhone 5 that will not be able to upgrade to iOS 11. I really have no need to get a new phone, and I'd like to keep using my iPhone 5, but I know that Apple does not provide security updates for any iOS versions besides the most recent one that's out at any time.

I understand that very soon from now iOS 10 will be considered insecure. I've tried to do some research on the actual risks of using an outdated version of iOS, but I have not come across any articles or anything that have been more than just a superficial sort of threat that you will be open to security attacks.

What I'd like to know is what are the actual dangers for a regular person using an outdated iOS version? I don't go to any weird websites or anything that might increase my chances of getting a virus, and my iPhone is not jailbroken. Is it really all that unsafe to run on an old iOS?

There are a lot of frivolous lawsuits out there, many of which have targeted Apple. But I would think it would be totally legitimate for there to be a class action lawsuit against Apple for the fact that they don't do vital security patches for older OSs.

I'm not asking of for or expecting my old iPhone to get iOS 11, but I do think consumers ought to expect basic security patches to be sent out to their working devices even if Apple will not let those devices upgrade to the latest software version.

Vehicle manufacturers have safety recalls all the time for old model vehicles because it's an issue of customer security and safety. Same thing should apply to security for a device OS. It's not like it would cost Apple a fortune to have a few people work on the code for security patches for the millions of iPones, iPods, and iPads out there that are running an old version of iOS. My old iPhone works fine and I want to continue to get use out of it. If there really are serious security threats out there, then shame on Apple for taking this stance on security updates.

While I understand what you are saying, the iPhone 5 got 5 years of software updates. Android devices are lucky to get 6 months of updates. Microsoft stops supply updates to older version of Windows. The vast majority of iOS users are not using a 5 year old device.

 

[zorinlynx]

I don't know how it will be going forward, but I know that in the past, if a major security hole was found in the previous version of iOS, that version of iOS would get another update for devices that can't get the current version.

This has been an exceedingly rare event, though, so personally I wouldn't worry about it. Worst case, you MIGHT have to upgrade to a newer device; it doesn't even have to be the latest, just anything newer than what you have.

EDIT: By the way have you considered the iPhone SE? It's exactly the same form factor as your 5, and will be supported for a long while. It's also relatively affordable compared to other current iPhones.

 

[BarracksSi]

Do you think people launched lawsuits when iOS devices weren't supported by iOS 10? or iOS 9? or iOS 8? or iOS 7? or...

Criminy... my iPad 2 shipped with, what, iOS 4? And it's running iOS 9 now? I can't bring myself to complain about a gadget that's been running for six years and five major OS updates.

 

[GreyOS]

You are very unlikely to have any issues using an old iOS for another year or two. Keep eyes peeled for security issues in the media otherwise don’t sweat it.

Probably irresponsible of me but it’s extremely rare anyone has had an issue using older iOS.

 

[pika2000]

Sometimes, there are things that Apple can learn from Google. Due to the highly irregular update schedule of OEMs, Google did two things that I think Apple need to look at:
1. Separate many core apps so they can be updated independent of the OS via the Play Store. Eg. Chrome, Messages, Maps, etc. For example, an old Android phone running Kitkat can at least browse safely using the latest Google Chrome. On iOS, things are fine when the device is still supported, but after that, it won't even get updated versions of Safari.
2. Separate security patches. Google now does monthly security patches independent from the main OS updates. Even better, this technically can be utilized by older versions of Android. Of course, barely any OEMs follow Google on this, but imo Apple should look into the idea.

I have the iPhone 5 as well as a backup for my 6S. But with iOS11, I cannot use it with my Apple watch since I would be updating my AW to Watch OS 4. Still, it's a good run for the phone, and I can't complain much considering there are many Android phones that are abandoned right after they are released.

 

[audiophilosophy]

By the way have you considered the iPhone SE? It's exactly the same form factor as your 5, and will be supported for a long while. It's also relatively affordable compared to other current iPhones.

I'm not really stuck to the 4 inch form factor, and I wouldn't want an SE because it has an A9 processor which means it's a lot closer to being retired than the iPhones that just came out. I'm just fine with the iPhone 5 I currently have because I don't need a lot of bells and whistles, and since I work from home, I really don't need a super sweet mobile device.

 

[chrfr]

There are a lot of frivolous lawsuits out there, many of which have targeted Apple. But I would think it would be totally legitimate for there to be a class action lawsuit against Apple for the fact that they don't do vital security patches for older OSs.

This, too, would be a frivolous lawsuit. Nobody's suing Microsoft for failing to patch Windows XP anymore.