iOS 17 is the next major update to Apple’s operating system for iPhones. According to rumors circulating the web, this update will remove support for several older devices. Thus, it is important to know if our iPhone or iPad will be compatible with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 before considering trying to install the update or participating in the betas cycle.
Although we do not know the exact reasons, there is one that is postulated as the explanation for why iOS 17 will leave some models behind. Something that already happened with iOS 16 and that now repeats itself at the gates of the WWDC 2023 this June where we will see the new operating systems. Without further ado, let’s see how to check if our iPhone or iPad will be compatible with iOS 17 or iPadOS 17.
How to check if your iPhone will be compatible with iOS 17
Before we continue, it is important to note that we are still talking about rumors. Apple has not yet officially confirmed which devices will be compatible with iOS 17. However, as MacRumors comments, the rumors that have been spread are quite reliable and are based on patterns from previous updates, so we can take them as a good reference.
The first thing we need to do is to know what device we have in front of us. Whether it is an iPhone or an iPad, knowing which model we are using requires these steps:
- We open the Settings app on our iPhone or iPad.
- Go to General.
- Tap on Information.
- We consult the Model name section.
That said, here is the list of devices that, according to rumors, will no longer be compatible with iOS 17 and iOS 17:
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPad (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 9.7-inch (1st generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
Put in other terms, we need an iPhone XS or later or an iPad Pro 2nd generation or later to be able to install iOS 17 or iPadOS 17.
Why won’t these models be compatible?
The devices losing support were released between November 2015 and November 2017, so it is understandable that support for them will be removed in the next major update to Apple’s operating system. We are talking about, at worst, six years of update support and at best eight years.
In parallel, comment that one of the possible reasons why these devices will not be compatible with iOS 17 is due to a security vulnerability that affects devices with chips from A5 to A11. It is a vulnerability in the bootrom. A hardware vulnerability that could allow attackers to access critical system functions and, in some cases, completely compromise the device.
The bootrom, or Boot ROM, is a part of the memory directly related to the powering up of the operating system. It is crucial and because of its importance it is stored in read-only memory. This means that, as the data is written directly to the hardware, Apple cannot fix the vulnerability through a software update. This is surely one of the main reasons why these devices are not updated to iOS 17.
Knowing if our iPhone will be compatible with iOS 17 is important in order to keep our device updated and secure. And also full of new features, because let’s remember that we expect that, while iPhone 17 rumors eclipse the wait for iPhone 15 and watchOS 10 becomes a major update for the Apple Watch, Apple has changed strategy in the development of iOS 17 and will bring many more new features than expected. Clearly good news.
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