Only iPhones that can’t run iOS 16 are getting new iOS 15 updates

As a part of the barrage of operating system updates released earlier today, Apple revealed new iOS and iPadOS 15.7.2 updates that convey many of the iOS 16.2 safety patches to the earlier model of the working system.

Each 15.7 and 15.7.1 have been launched after iOS 16 turned obtainable, they usually served two functions: to assist newer gadgets whose house owners did not need to soar to iOS 16 and older gadgets that weren’t capable of run iOS 16. The iOS 15.7.2 replace helps a smaller variety of gadgets. From Apple’s safety updates web page, emphasis ours:

Accessible for: iPhone 6s (all fashions), iPhone 7 (all fashions), iPhone SE (1st technology), iPad Professional (all fashions), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad fifth technology and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod contact (seventh technology)

Any iPad proprietor operating iPadOS 15 can nonetheless obtain the 15.7.2 replace as a substitute of iPadOS 16, however newer iPhones will want to put in iOS 16.2 to get all the most recent safety patches. The corporate did something similar last year and supported iOS 14 for a few months after iOS 15 got here out however finally ended iOS 14 assist. (iPhones and iPads could also be handled in another way this 12 months as a result of the primary model of iPadOS 16 launched to the general public got here out a month after the primary launch of iOS 16.)

Assuming Apple continues to launch these iOS 15 updates for older gadgets, they’re going to preserve house owners of older telephones (mostly) safe for some time longer despite the fact that they’re not supported by newer iOS variations. Apple beforehand supported outdated iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 fashions that could not improve to iOS 13, releasing security-only updates for iOS 12 semi-regularly for almost three years after iOS 13 got here out.

Per common, Apple hasn’t supplied any onerous end-of-support dates for iOS 15 or iPadOS 15. We have reached out to ask whether or not the corporate intends to offer iOS 15 safety updates for older gadgets going ahead and can replace this story if we obtain a response.