Apple has announced that support for 16 older devices across its iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV product lines will end with the rollout of its latest operating system updates later this year. The decision was revealed following the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026, where Apple unveiled iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, and tvOS 27. The software updates are currently available in developer beta and are expected to reach the public in the coming months.
While iPhone users received positive news, with all devices currently running iOS 26 remaining eligible for iOS 27, several other Apple products will lose software support. The iPhone 11, introduced in 2019, will continue receiving the latest operating system update. However, Apple Intelligence features will remain limited to newer devices, with older iPhone models not gaining access to the company's most advanced artificial intelligence capabilities.
The most significant changes affect the Apple Watch lineup. Apple is ending support for five smartwatch models with the introduction of watchOS 27. The devices losing compatibility include the Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, and the second-generation Apple Watch SE. Going forward, watchOS 27 will require newer hardware powered by Apple's S9 or S10 chipsets, marking one of the largest compatibility reductions in the history of the smartwatch platform.
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Apple is also raising hardware requirements for iPadOS 27. As a result, five older tablets will no longer receive major software updates. The affected devices include the third-generation iPad Air, third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, first-generation 11-inch iPad Pro, eighth-generation iPad, and fifth-generation iPad mini. The company has set the A14 Bionic processor as the new minimum requirement for future software support.
On the Mac side, macOS 27 Golden Gate represents a major milestone in Apple's transition away from Intel processors. The update will be the first macOS release to support only Apple Silicon-powered computers. Consequently, the Intel-based MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019), MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020 with four Thunderbolt 3 ports), iMac (2020), and Mac Pro (2019) will no longer be eligible for the latest operating system.
Apple is also ending support for two Apple TV models, including the Apple TV HD released in 2015 and the first-generation Apple TV 4K launched in 2017. Only the second-generation and third-generation Apple TV 4K devices will receive tvOS 27. Despite ending major software support, Apple typically continues providing security updates and bug fixes for older operating systems for at least a year, helping users maintain device security while planning future upgrades.
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