How to Get Software and Security Updates on Your Old IPhone
If you’re still holding on to your old iPhone and resisting pressure to buy the latest, shiniest version, support you. You’re probably dealing with slower performance and outdated features, among other things, but Apple is said to support iPhones with iOS updates for about seven years – far more than a 1-2 year update cycle.
This means that if you’re using a 2015 iPhone 6S, Apple supports iOS 15 (the latest version of iOS) for your device and will continue to release updates, including security fixes.
Those stuck on the iPhone 5S released in 2013 are stuck on iOS 12, but Apple released the security update (12.5.5) for these devices as recently as September 2021.
Do you still need software and security updates for older iPhones?
The disadvantage of older phones is that the further they fall behind the latest version of iOS, the less likely it is that minor bugs will be fixed, and the greater the potential security risk. Plus? You can keep using the devices for a very long time if you don’t need the latest, trendiest features or hardware upgrades.
So how do you know if Apple supports your old iPhone? You can check the Apple Security Log to find out which version of iOS (or macOS, watchOS, or iPadOS) is available for your device and when it was released. You can click to determine what each OS update should fix.
How to update your old iPhone
Your iPhone can be set to update iOS automatically or manually. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see which version of iOS your device is running and if a new version is available. If so, you can install it. Or tap Automatic Updates > Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates .
Apple also has troubleshooting instructions for updating or restoring your iPhone while it’s in recovery mode and connected to a computer.
Please note that if you are not running the latest version of iOS, your device may not update automatically. You should check frequently for updates and install them as soon as they become available.