How Long Will the iPhone Be Supported? When Will iPhone 11/XR/8 Be Obsoleted?

Home > HowTos > Troubleshooting Tips Updated by Robert on August 21, 2024 | Approved by Jennifer Allen

Since the first iPhone was released on Jun in 2007, Apple has released more than 30 types of iPhone models. Every year, there will be a new iPhone(s). People, specifically Apple fans, like to have brand-new iPhones. However, the new iPhone release also brings the older iPhones closer to becoming obsolete. How long Apple will support a particular iPhone is a crucial issue to consider if you're considering purchasing an earlier generation or used iPhone or debating whether it's worthwhile to update your current device. That's where similar questions, like "Should I upgrade to iPhone 15 from 11?" come from.

You don't have to worry about how to choose if you make clear what "obsolete iPhone" means, how long the iPhone will be supported, and when will your loved iPhone be obsoleted. Let's explore the details below.

Table of contents
Part 1. How Long Will the iPhone Be Supported?
Part 2. How Long Is an iPhone Warranty?
Part 3. How to Keep iPhone Data Safe Before You Sell, Donate, and Ditch Old iPhone
Part 4. Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

How Long Will the iPhone Be Supported?

About Vintage iPhones

When an iPhone model hasn't been distributed for sale for more than five years but less than seven years, Apple designated it vintage. Generally, vintage iPhones are also not supported since Apple officially can't offer any components to repair the iPhone and any update for the iOS.

About Obsolete iPhones

According to Apple, "When Apple stops distributing products, they are considered obsolete." Apple no longer provides hardware support for mobile phones once outdated, and service providers cannot obtain parts for them.

Here is the list of obsolete iPhones in 2024 (Answer to Which iPhones are now outdated)

Generally, Apple Retail Stores don't differentiate between vintage and obsolete iPhones. They need to be updated, suitable components, and iOS updates. It's reasonable that Apple continuously releases new iPhones with the leading technologies if it wants to stay ahead of the curve. After all, it's a technology company.

What occurs if Apple stops supporting an iPhone?

Besides, you will miss the features of the latest iPhones and iOS systems, and there will be incompatibility issues between apps and your iPhone. And many crucial security updates will be missed so that unpatched vulnerabilities could put you at risk. Your privacy might be leaked.

How Long Is an iPhone Warranty?

Apple offers up to 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one-year limited warranty covering hardware repairs with every iPhone. No additional funding is required for this support.

If you apply AppleCare+ for iPhone, you will enjoy unlimited instances of handling-related accident support. Each incident is subject to a service fee of $129 for other accidental damage and applicable tax or $39 for a screen replacement or back glass damage.

How to Keep iPhone Data Safe Before You Sell, Donate, and Ditch Old iPhone

Owing an iPhone means you will inevitably end up with an old iPhone or sometimes a damaged one. Whether you sell it as a second phone, donate it, or ditch it, you must remember to keep your data safe: keeping precious and essential data, like contacts, messages, voice memos, photos, and videos, and preventing privacy theft.

What you must do for an obsolete, old, damaged iPhone that you will never use again.

  1. Back up your old iPhone data. The workable ways include backing up the iPhone data to iCloud, iTunes, third-party transfer, Finder, or transferring data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone (if you have one).
  2. Unpair your iPhone with your AirPods, Apple Watch, and other equipment.
  3. Cancel the AppleCare Plan if enabled for the old iPhone.
  4. Remove the iPhone from the "Trusted Devices" list.
  5. Sign in to iCloud.com and turn off "Find My iPhone" to unlock "iPhone Locked to Owner."
  6. Sign out of iCloud by tapping Settings > [Your Name].
  7. Erase All data by tapping General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. When it restarts, set it as a new iPhone.
  8. Contact the carrier, telling them to transfer the service to a new owner.

Destroying data is more straightforward than recovering lost data from an iPhone. You know, when data is lost on an iPhone, There is no way for you to get it back entirely unless you have a backup file(s), even if you apply the latest powerful iPhone data recovery software – iBeesoft iPhone Data Recovery. That’s why you need to think twice before destroying data on your iPhone. Backing up important iPhone data in the first place and rescuing iPhone data is the second step.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Conclusion

As Apple fans, we always want to ensure our beloved iPhones can keep up with the latest technology. However, with the introduction of newer models, we can't help but wonder how long our current iPhones will remain supported. This question is particularly relevant for those with iPhone 11, XR, or 8 models. To this end, this article lists iPhone obsolete details, hoping to provide you with a reference.