Owners of iPhone devices running iOS 11 should prepare for a significant disruption in essential functions, potentially rendering the phone nearly useless. This warning comes from Sergey Kuzmenko, who heads information security at the Roskachestvo Center for Digital Expertise, known for evaluating technology and safety standards.
Kuzmenko notes that some older iPhone models have not received software updates for an extended period. Specifically, models such as the iPhone 4, 4s, 5, and all devices released before those generations may face substantial limitations as services tied to Apple’s ecosystem are affected. The implication is that core features which rely on connectivity to Apple services, including the App Store, iCloud, and voice assistance, could experience degraded performance or shutdowns.
In drawing his conclusions, Kuzmenko referenced information from an unnamed insider. According to that source, the planned shutdown of various services for older devices was slated for May of the current year, signaling a potential planned enforcement that users should monitor closely.
He also explained that reinstalling the operating system on old hardware would not solve the problem. The OS is intricately linked to the hardware architecture of each model, making it impossible to install a newer version on devices that lack the necessary hardware foundation. This tight integration means the old devices may not be able to run updated software that supports modern services.
Earlier reports from a different insider suggested that most Apple services would stop functioning on older devices, with the notable exception of iCloud storage. Journalists have indicated that messaging and video calling services, such as iMessage and FaceTime, might continue to operate for devices running outdated software, though this could vary by region and by service configuration. Such a development would underscore a broader shift in how legacy devices interact with evolving cloud ecosystems and communication platforms.