Apple regularly updates iOS with security patches, bug fixes, and new features. Depending on your iPhone’s model, it can receive updates for five to six years. However, even if the latest iOS is compatible with your iPhone, it might not be a good idea to install it right away.
Older iPhones aren’t Apple’s top priority when developing iOS updates, so they cannot adequately support the newest versions. Therefore, installing the update would make your device less responsive.
Don’t worry about missing out on features; the benefits of holding off on iOS updates for older iPhones outweigh the following downsides.
1. It May Slow Down Your iPhone
People have accused Apple of intentionally slowing down old iPhones many times over the years. Some believe that typing delays, unexpected shutdowns, and other lags might be caused by this deliberate slowdown. Although it’s considered a conspiracy theory, one thing is clear: the new OS updates are made for the latest hardware, so they would not work well on older devices.
Each year, Apple introduces new iPhones with better hardware and faster chipsets. This makes older iPhone models seem less powerful in comparison. When you update to a new iOS iteration, the new software is more advanced and demands more from your phone’s performance. However, since the hardware of older iPhones is weaker, it might struggle to handle the transition.
As a result, when youupdate to the latest iOS versionon your older iPhone, you may experience longer app loading times, slower app switching, overheating, and reduced battery life.
2. Your iPhone’s Battery Could Drain Faster
In 2017, Apple confirmed that it deliberately slowed down iPhones to extend their battery life, as reported byTechCrunch. The company used a battery management mechanism that throttles your iPhone’s performance. As a result, iOS updates might also make your battery life worse.
Updating your old iPhone puts more demand on the device’s processor and battery, leading to increased power consumption. Your battery might start to run out faster for a few days, but it should return to normal once the background processes are finished.
A9to5Mac pollrevealed that 64% of iPhone users are experiencing battery life problems after updating to iOS 16. Experts recommend that iPhone users still on iOS 15 should stick with it, as the update has affected battery life.
Remember that aslithium-ion batteriesage, their ability to hold a charge gradually diminishes, leading to a decline in battery capacity. So, if you’re experiencing battery life problems with your older iPhone, you should replace the battery. This can make your phone feel like new again without having to update iOS.
3. You Could Face Potential Bugs and Glitches
When Apple rolls out new iOS updates, they can sometimes bring new problems instead of improving your experience. You may still encounter certain bugs if you keep using an older iOS version. But after an update, old bugs might be fixed, but new ones can randomly appear.
With recent updates, users have reported issues like camera freezes, battery problems, and troubles with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, among others. So, it’s always better to wait it out until Apple addresses those bugs with a subsequent point update.
4. Your iPhone May Not Get All the New Features
Some older iPhones may not work well with certain updates, and even if they do, they might not get all the features that newer models do. There can be issues with app compatibility when updating iOS, especially if app developers don’t provide timely updates for their apps.
So, if you were quick to update your iPhone and ran into issues, you may tryreverting to a previous version of iOS by downgrading.
Is It Safe to Skip iOS Updates on Your iPhone?
You might avoid updating your old iPhone to extend its life, but doing so could expose you to risks related to your identity, finances, and privacy. iOS updates often bring stronger data encryption, improved privacy features, and protection against potential system vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
If you’re okay with the risks and your current iOS version is working fine, you can keep using it, and shouldn’t be quick to update, especially if you have an old iPhone. For extra security, you can use third-party security apps on your iPhone.
