Apple Is Dropping Support for These 16 Devices in 2026: Is Yours on the List?

Apple will stop software support for 16 devices this fall across four major product lines. The changes were confirmed after WWDC announcements for macOS 27 Golden Gate, iPadOS 27, tvOS 27, and watchOS 27. Apple Watch users face the largest cut, while iPhone and HomePod support remains unchanged from iOS 26.

The latest updates are expected in September, after Apple completes beta testing. Affected users may still get security fixes for older software for at least one year. However, users wanting new features will need supported hardware. For India’s Apple users, this matters before any upgrade or resale decision.

Apple Cuts Software Support for These Devices

watchOS 27 removes support for five Apple Watch models in one release cycle. The dropped list includes Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra first generation, and Apple Watch SE second generation. The update now needs an S9 or S10 chip to run.

This is Apple Watch’s biggest loss of latest-generation support so far. watchOS 26 had supported the same models as watchOS 11. That list covered Series 6 and newer models, SE second generation and newer, plus every Apple Watch Ultra model. Apple has now removed three launch generations together.

iPadOS 27 also brings a wider hardware cut than usual. Apple has raised the base requirement to the A14 Bionic chip or M1 chip. Five iPad models that run iPadOS 26 will not receive iPadOS 27. iPadOS 26 had removed only the seventh-generation iPad from iPadOS 18 support.

macOS 27 Golden Gate marks the formal end for Intel Macs in Apple’s main update cycle. Four Intel models supported by macOS Tahoe are now excluded. Apple had said last year that macOS Tahoe would be the final release for pre-Apple silicon Macs.

Apple Software Support Remains Steady for iPhone

Apple TV support also narrows with tvOS 27. Apple TV HD from 2015 and Apple TV 4K first generation from 2017 are dropped. Only Apple TV 4K second and third generation models will get the new software update this year.

The main relief comes for iPhone and HomePod owners. iOS 27 keeps the same compatibility list as iOS 26. No iPhone model has been removed this year. HomePod support also stays unchanged, making these two product lines the least affected in this update cycle.

Apple’s 2026 software cycle brings a clear shift towards newer chips and newer hardware. Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV users should check compatibility before September. Older devices will remain usable, but the newest Apple features will be limited to supported models.