Apple Discontinues iCloud Backups for Older iPhones and iPads

Apple’s iCloud Backup Support Update: What You Need to Know

Apple has consistently been at the forefront of software support, offering years of updates for its devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This commitment to longevity ensures that even older Apple products remain functional long after their initial release. However, as time passes, some features inevitably become obsolete. A significant change is coming for iOS devices operating on versions 8 and earlier.

Important Change in iCloud Backup Services

Recent communications from Apple have alerted users that iCloud backup support for devices running iOS 8 and older will come to an end. Effective December 18, 2024, users will no longer be able to back up their devices to iCloud. Furthermore, Apple plans to delete all existing backups for these devices, which means there will be no options for users to restore their devices from the cloud. This update affects all iOS versions from 5 through 8, highlighting a significant shift in Apple’s backup strategy.

Alternative Backup Solutions Available

If your device is still operating on iOS 8 and you prefer not to upgrade, there are still ways to create backups. According to Apple’s support document, users can utilize iTunes (available for Windows and macOS Mojave and earlier), Apple Devices (Windows 10 and 11), or Finder (macOS Catalina and later) to back up their important data. However, updating to iOS 9 or a more recent version remains a viable option, provided your device supports it.

Transition to CloudKit and Its Implications

This decision to discontinue cloud backups for iOS versions prior to 9 aligns with Apple’s transition to CloudKit, which was introduced in iOS 9. Reports indicate that Apple is phasing out the older backup system, which will leave many older devices—like various iPhones, iPads, and iPods—without the capability to back up or restore from iCloud.

Devices Eligible for iOS 9 Support

For users considering the upgrade, here is a list of Apple devices that support iOS 9:

iPhones	iPads	iPods
iPhone 4S iPhone 5 iPhone 5C iPhone 5S iPhone 6 iPhone 6 Plus iPhone SE (1st generation)	iPad 2 iPad (3rd generation) iPad (4th generation) iPad Air iPad Air 2 iPad mini iPad mini 2 iPad mini 3 iPad mini 4 12.9-inch iPad Pro 9.7-inch iPad Pro	iPod Touch (5th generation) iPod Touch (6th generation)