When Does an Old IPhone Become a Security Risk?
I’m a big proponent of keeping your technology as long as possible. I still have my original Touch Bar MacBook Pro and plan to run it into the ground. But one legitimate reason to update your technology is when a company stops supporting it with security updates. The question is, how long can you use an iPhone before it becomes a security risk?
Security updates protect you and your devices
I’m not talking about feature updates, mind you. Of course, it’s a bummer when your iPhone stops getting the latest features that Apple has to offer. But it’s still quite usable as is. However, as soon as the company stops releasing security updates, your device becomes vulnerable to new pop-up vulnerabilities.
Let’s say you have a smartphone whose OEMs have completely dropped support. At some point, a major security vulnerability is discovered that allows attackers to run whatever code they want on your phone, effectively taking over it. Perhaps they achieve this with a malicious link in a text message or email, or they run a 2FA code scam over the phone. Either way, this vulnerability exists and puts users at risk.
Once the OEM finds a fix for the vulnerability, they will release a security update for all devices they still support. But since your device is not on this list, it will remain unprotected. This is the moment when even someone like me admits that it’s time to switch to a new device. Cybersecurity is no joke.
Now Android devices often have fixed dates when OEMs end support. Companies like Google and Samsung guarantee five years of security updates for their latest devices. For example, if you buy the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, you’ll be protected until at least October 2027 . But if Google decides to break off relations there, your Pixel will not be protected from new security vulnerabilities from November 2027.
Apple has been supporting its devices with security updates for a long time.
The iPhone, however, is something of a unique device in terms of security. Although Apple never sets end-of-life dates for their products, they support them for a long time. For example, Apple supported the iPhone 6S with full software updates through iOS 15. And while the company dropped phones for iOS 16, that meant it supported the 6S with feature updates for seven full years.
But these are feature updates. Apple still releases security updates for the 6S, as well as any other device stuck on iOS 15. In fact, the company releases software updates for any iPhone stuck on iOS 12 . We saw this with the most recent batch of software and security updates this week. While iOS 16.3 hit the Software Updates tab on supported iPhones, Apple also released iOS 15.7.3 and iOS 12.5.7 to give older devices running those versions critical security patches. iOS 15.7.3 fixes five vulnerabilities, while iOS 12.5.7 fixes one.
However, iPhones that are still running iOS 12 are obsolete . Among them are the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus from 2014, as well as the iPhone 5S from 2013. If you bought an iPhone 5S at launch, Apple will still support your device with major security patches almost 10 years later.
It’s not just the iPhone that wins here. Apple is releasing the same security patches for iPadOS, which means the original iPad Air can update to iOS 12.5.7 just like the sixth generation iPod touch. The company also continues to release security updates for macOS Big Sur, which means that some 2013 Macs are also protected.
A secure iPhone isn’t necessarily a fast iPhone
Now it is not necessary to ideally use a device that is obsolete in 2023. Once Apple ends software support for a device, as it did with the 5S, 6, and 6 Plus after iOS 12, app developers slowly start to drop support as well. Also, while you can replace an older battery, older hardware (especially lack of memory) makes it difficult to run applications that are still supported.
But it is still safe to use these devices. Once we see Apple stop releasing security updates, as it does with iOS 11 and earlier, then the 5S, 6, and 6 Plus should be fired with grace. But for now, you can theoretically use your iPhone safely for at least ten years.