YouTube to Discontinue Support for Several Older Apple Devices: Checkout List of Eligible iPhones and iPads!

YouTube has discreetly updated its app, discontinuing support for several older Apple devices. The new 20.22.1 version of the YouTube app now requires iOS 16 or later, leaving behind Apple devices that cannot upgrade beyond iOS 15.

This update means that users with devices like the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and the first-generation iPhone SE can no longer install or update the YouTube app. The seventh-generation iPod touch is also affected as it remains on iOS 15.

Impact on Older Devices

On the iPad front, YouTube now requires iPadOS 16 or later. This change affects models such as the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4. Despite their reliability for basic tasks, these devices are no longer compatible with the latest app version.

While these older devices can't run the YouTube app anymore, users can still access YouTube through a mobile browser at m.youtube.com. However, this option lacks many features available in the app, including smooth navigation and offline support.

Trend Towards Newer Devices

This move by YouTube reflects a broader trend where developers focus on newer devices with advanced software capabilities. Around this time, Apple also declared the iPhone 6 "obsolete," meaning it no longer qualifies for official repairs or service.

WhatsApp recently made a similar decision. The messaging platform now requires iPhones to run at least iOS 15.1 and Android phones to have Android 5.0 or higher. This change ends WhatsApp support for smartphones launched before 2014, including models like the iPhone 5s and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Security and System Capabilities

Meta explained that older devices lack necessary security standards and system capabilities to support modern WhatsApp versions. The company regularly evaluates which devices to continue supporting and phases out those with minimal user share.

For users still relying on these legacy devices, these changes suggest it might be time to consider upgrading if essential apps like YouTube and WhatsApp are becoming inaccessible.