Apple will support iPhones (and all devices it makes) for seven years from the last time it sold that particular model. So as long as your iPhone was still being sold by Apple up to seven years ago the company will still service it – in other words: help you fix it (for a price).
Will an iPhone 7 still work in 2023? Yes, an iPhone 7 will still be able to function in 2023. It may not have access to the latest iOS updates, but it should still be able to perform basic functions such as making calls and receiving texts.
Apple is said to drop software support for three iPhones in 2023. The iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X may not get iOS 17 update.
With a few exceptions, Apple supports all their products until 5 years after they are discontinued. The iPhone 7 was discontinued in September of 2017, and will be supported until September of 2022. CORRECTION: I got the year wrong. iPhone 7 was discontinued in 2019 (not 2017), and so will be supported until 2024.
Unfortunately no, iOS 15 is the end of the line for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus which means, you will no longer be able to use features available on iOS 16. The devices currently run iOS 15.6. 1, a version which got released on August 17, 2022.
However, that will only last until September 2023, so upgrading your older devices will be more necessary than many users anticipate. What is annoying is that the iPhone 7 can still run iOS 16. You have to remember that this iPhone model is considered advanced age in Apple years.
What is the oldest iPhone Apple still supports? The oldest handset supported by iOS 13 is the iPhone 6s, which also got iOS 14 and now, the latest iOS 15. It's good to know that Apple supports the last three versions of iOS for bug and security updates. So, you're covered if your iPhone runs iOS 13 or later.
The iOS 16 is compatible with all iPhone 8 and newer models, leaving out the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6s series.
The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus were the first iPhones rated as IP67, which means the phones are resistant to splashes and can be submerged in just over three feet of fresh water for up to 30 minutes without damage.
The iPhone 7 was introduced in 2016, making it obsolete between 2021 and 2023. The iPhone 8 was introduced in 2017, making it obsolete between 2023 and 2024.
iOS 14 worked on all iPhones that supported iOS 13, while 2019's iOS 13 dropped support for the iPhone 5S (2013) and iPhone 6 line (2014). Thus, based on recent trends, it's fair to say that an iPhone should get iOS updates for between five and seven years.
On June 6, 2022, Apple announced on its website that iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will not receive support for iOS 16.
Rumors are spreading online that Apple is planning to use a kill command on the iPhone7, but is there any evidence behind the gossip? Since the iPhone first debuted in 2007, Apple has released 11 different iterations of the device.
You might be unable to update your iPhone or iPad wirelessly — or over the air — for one of these reasons: Your device doesn't support the latest software. There isn't enough available storage space on your device. The update takes a long time to download.
How long can you safely use an old iPhone? Apple supports its smartphones for at least five years after a model is released though it can sometimes be longer. During that time, an iPhone will get the latest versions of iOS as well as the latest patches to known vulnerabilities.
Apple's iOS 15 can only be installed on the iPhone 6S or later. So it should come as no surprise that millions of these older models are being phased out. In fact, Apple cut off support for the iPhone 6 two years ago with the release of iOS 13.
2 and iPadOS 15.7. 2 are only for iOS 15-compatible devices that are not compatible with iOS 16. This means iPhone 7, iPad mini 4 and older devices only. You can trigger the update manually by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update.
With an iPhone, you receive the latest iOS updates up to 5 years after the release of the device. That makes the iPhone durable and ensures that your older device lasts a long time. In this article, you can read how long your refurbished iPhone supports software updates.
Update your iPhone or iPad wirelessly
Plug your device into power and connect to the internet with Wi-Fi. Go to Settings > General, then tap Software Update. If you see more than one software update option available, choose the one that you want to install. Tap Install Now.
Go to Settings > Cellular and check to see if your cellular line is turned on. If your cellular line is off, turn it back on. Then check to see if you have service. If you don't see your cellular line in Settings > Cellular, you should set up an eSIM or insert a physical SIM card.
The Apple iPhone 7 has now been configured for use of 4G networks.
In fact, the iPhone 8 received the most recent iOS 16.3. 1 update on Feb 13, 2023. However, keep in mind that Apple only supports software updates up to 6 years after the original release of the device, so the iPhone 8 will likely stop receiving updates by 2024.
Launch Timeline
The earliest that Apple would introduce a higher-end Ultra iPhone is 2024, which would make it part of the iPhone 16 lineup. As 2024 is the soonest that we'll see the model, there is a possibility that it could be delayed until the iPhone 17 lineup or beyond.