How Long Do iPhones Get Software Updates?
Apple doesn't publish an end date for iOS support. Here's how long each iPhone model gets updates, and when support ends.
Short answer
Most iPhones get about 5 to 6 years of major iOS updates, and Apple often continues delivering security fixes for a year or two after that.
Apple doesn't publish a guaranteed timeline, but the pattern is consistent enough to plan around. If you upgrade every two to three years, you'll almost always be well inside the support window regardless of which model you buy. If you keep phones four to six years, a newer model matters more, not because it's faster today, but because it stays supported longer.
If you're deciding how the software support window should affect your generation choice, see iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16.
What "software updates" actually means
When people ask how long an iPhone gets updates, they usually mean one of two things, and they're not the same.
Major iOS updates are the yearly releases with new features, interface changes, and new capabilities. When major updates stop, your phone stops getting new features. Over time, some apps begin requiring a newer iOS version to run, which is when the phone starts to feel genuinely limited rather than just older.
Security updates are separate. Even after major iOS updates stop, Apple typically continues shipping security patches for one to two years. An older iPhone can still receive important fixes while no longer getting new features. In practice, app compatibility usually becomes the more pressing issue before security support ends.
When someone asks how long an iPhone is "supported," they almost always mean major iOS updates.
How to think about remaining support
The wrong way to think about it is "supported or not," as if there's a cliff where the phone stops working. The more useful framing is: how many major iOS updates does this model have left?
If you're buying a brand-new iPhone today, you can expect roughly five to six more years of major updates. If you're buying a two-year-old phone, assume about two years have already been used. It's a rough estimate, but it's good enough for planning a purchase.
The table below shows how the pattern has played out historically.
Historical update comparison
| Model | Release year | First iOS | Last major iOS | Update span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 6s | 2015 | iOS 9 | iOS 15 | 6 years |
| iPhone X | 2017 | iOS 11 | iOS 16 | 5 years |
| iPhone XR | 2018 | iOS 12 | iOS 18 | 6 years |
| iPhone 11 | 2019 | iOS 13 | iOS 26 | 6 years |
Based on this pattern, here's what to expect from current models:
| Model | Launch year | Major updates through (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | 2023 | ~2028 to 2029 |
| iPhone 16 | 2024 | ~2029 to 2030 |
| iPhone 17 | 2025 | ~2030 to 2031 |
These are estimates based on Apple's historical pattern, not guarantees. Apple has occasionally supported models longer than expected.
What actually determines how long your iPhone feels good
Software support is only one part of the picture. In practice, three other factors matter as much or more.
Battery health is the most common reason a phone feels old before it's actually outdated. A phone with a worn battery that can't make it through the day feels broken regardless of how many updates remain. If the phone is otherwise fast and capable, a battery replacement restores most of the original capacity at a fraction of the cost of a new phone. Check Settings → Battery → Battery Health. Below 80% is where daily use starts to feel meaningfully shorter than it once did. For a full breakdown of how battery health degrades and when replacement makes sense, see how long does an iPhone battery actually last?.
Storage causes more daily friction than most people expect. Running low on storage means iOS updates fail to download, apps stop refreshing properly, and photos require constant management. A phone with 64GB that's nearly full will feel slower and more frustrating than a phone with the same chip and 256GB of breathing room.
Chip generation matters most in the later years of ownership. A phone with a newer chip handles demanding iOS updates more gracefully in years four and five than one with a chip that's three or four years old. You won't feel it in year one. You'll feel it toward the end.
What happens when major iOS updates stop
When your iPhone stops receiving major iOS versions, it doesn't stop working. Your installed apps keep running normally. The phone functions exactly as it did before. The change is gradual: over the following months and years, some apps begin requiring a newer iOS version to install or update. Eventually, certain Apple features and services stop working on the older iOS version. Resale value also drops faster once a phone is off the major update track.
The phone keeps working. Most people won't notice the change at first. It's apps and services that eventually move on.
How to check if your iPhone is still supported
On your iPhone, go to Settings → General → Software Update. If you're offered the current version of iOS, your phone is still in the major update window. If it says you're up to date but the version number is behind the latest iOS, your phone has been dropped from major updates.
Fast decision guide
- Upgrading every two to three years → any current iPhone works, support isn't the constraint
- Keeping a phone four to five years → buy the newest model you can afford
- Buying a used or older model → check how many updates remain before committing
- Unsure → iPhone 17 (longest remaining support window in the current lineup)
Frequently asked questions
Will my iPhone stop working when updates end?
No. When major iOS updates stop, the phone continues functioning normally. Calls, messages, existing apps, photos, and all installed features keep working. What changes over time is app compatibility: new versions of apps eventually require newer iOS, so some apps stop updating or stop working on older versions. That process is slow, not sudden.
Is it safe to use an iPhone that no longer gets updates?
For personal everyday use, yes, for a while. The practical risk is security: without ongoing patches, the phone becomes more vulnerable to newly discovered exploits over time. For most people, the more immediate concern is app compatibility rather than security. If you use your phone for sensitive tasks (banking, work email, business apps), staying within the major update window is worth prioritizing.
Should I upgrade before my iPhone loses support?
Not necessarily, and not urgently. The end of major updates doesn't mean the phone is immediately unusable. A more useful trigger for upgrading is when the apps you rely on stop working or updating, or when battery health has declined enough to affect daily use. Upgrading a year or two before the support window ends is reasonable if you're planning ahead, but there's no need to rush the moment support ends.
How long will the iPhone 17 get software updates?
Based on Apple's historical pattern, the iPhone 17 (launched in 2025) should receive major iOS updates through roughly 2030 or 2031. That's an estimate based on how Apple has treated previous models, not a guarantee. Apple has occasionally supported phones longer than the historical pattern suggests.
Does buying a newer iPhone guarantee longer support?
Yes, relative to older models. A new the iPhone 17 starts its support window in 2025. A new the iPhone 15, purchased today, launched in 2023 and has already used two years of that window. For a four to five year ownership plan, starting with a newer model gives you more of the support window ahead of you.
Is a used iPhone worth buying if it's close to end of support?
It depends on how long you plan to keep it. If a phone has one to two major iOS updates remaining and you typically upgrade every two to three years, that's workable as a short-term device at a low price. If you plan to keep it four or more years, a phone close to end of support will leave you without updates for most of your ownership window. In that case, the discount isn't worth the limitation.
Recommended accessories
Sources
Disclosure
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.