At the 2017 WWDC event in San Jose on Monday, Apple unveiled the its upcoming software update iOS 11, slated for public release in the fall. However, iOS 11 only supports 64-bit apps and devices, meaning a host of iOS devices won’t work with the update.
This is certainly a problem for users who wait a while to upgrade, or who may have received a hand-me-down device from a family member. It’s especially problematic for business users if their company-issued device falls in this category.
Phones such as the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 5c will not work with iOS 11, as they are 32-bit devices. The iPad 4, also a 32-bit device, will not be able to run iOS 11 either.
SEE: WWDC 2017: All the news about iOS 11
Still, many modern iPhones and iPads will work with software update. Here is the current list of devices that will be able to handle the upgrade:
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 5s
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd gen)
- iPad Pro 9.7-inch
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch
- iPad (5th gen)
- iPad Air
- iPad Air 2
- iPad mini 2
- iPad mini 3
- iPad mini 4
Additionally, if you’re an iPod Touch user, only the sixth generation of that device will support an update to iOS 11.
Being that the update only supports 64-bit apps, that also means that any 32-bit apps will be rendered obsolete as well. Apple began moving away from 32-bit apps in iOS 10.3, warning users about apps that needed to be updated by the developer. However, with iOS 11, 32-bit apps will not be supported at all.
To see which of your apps may be in jeopardy, tap on the Setting icon, then tap on General. On the next page, tap the first option, About, and then tap Applications. From here, you will be able to see the compatibility of your applications.
The iOS 11 developer beta is available now, and the software update will be available to all users sometime in the fall.
