Apple to drop software support for 16 devices this fall

Apple will discontinue software support for 16 of its devices this fall, marking one of the most significant compatibility reductions in recent years. The changes, announced during the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this week, will affect older models of the Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV when the new operating systems are released in September.

The most substantial cuts are to the Apple Watch lineup. With the release of watchOS 27, support will end for five models: the Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, and the second-generation Apple Watch SE. This move removes three consecutive generations of watches from support simultaneously, a departure from recent years where compatibility remained broadly consistent. The update will require an S9 or S10 chip.

Five iPad models will also lose access to the latest software. iPadOS 27 raises the minimum chip requirement to the A14 Bionic or M1, excluding the third-generation iPad Air, the third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the first-generation 11-inch iPad Pro, the eighth-generation iPad, and the fifth-generation iPad mini.

For Mac users, the upcoming macOS 27 Golden...