Apple has announced that it is discontinuing and deleting iCloud backups for iPhones running old iOS firmware.
iOS 8 and Older Users will Lose iCloud Backup Support on iPhone and iPad After December 24, Update to iOS 9 Now
iCloud is a core feature of the Apple ecosystem. It is available on a wide range of devices, and it has a ton of uses, with device backup being one of them.
Apple has just announced that it will be discontinuing iCloud backup for iPhones and iPads running iOS 8 or older. Not only will you not be able to use the feature, but Apple will also be deleting the backups you’ve created.
The solution? Update to iOS 9 now if your device supports it; otherwise, Apple will completely disable iCloud backup for you and your device. But I believe deleting an entire backup sounds a little harsh.
Apple says the last date until you can keep your iCloud backup is December 18, 2024. After that, it will delete everything from its servers.
However, Apple does say you can continue backing up your device locally using your Windows PC or Mac. But if your device does support iOS 9, it’s probably a good idea to install the update right away to keep using iCloud.
However, iOS 9 may not be an option for everyone out there. If you have an iPhone or iPad that doesn’t support a more recent version of iOS or iPadOS, then it’s a good idea to invest in a newer iPhone or iPad model.
You really don’t have to buy the latest model of iPhone and iPad. There are a ton of businesses out there that sell high-quality refurbished iPhones and iPads. Choosing something from the last 3 years is a smart choice.
Honestly, I’m surprised people actually hold on to their devices for this long. I can only imagine the amount of times the user had to go through battery upgrades just to keep the device up and running.
Instead of deleting backups, maybe Apple should reward these people by keeping their latest backup safe and sound on iCloud.
