How many years of support do iPhones typically get?

Most iPhones receive between 6 and 8 years of major iOS updates from their release date, with an average of roughly 7 years. Apple also continues to issue critical security patches on older iOS branches for at least 1 to 2 years after a device can no longer be upgraded to the latest iOS version.

Which iPhones support iOS 26?

As of May 2026, iOS 26 is compatible with the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 12 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 15 series, iPhone 16 series, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max are capped at iOS 18.

Does iPhone XR support iOS 26?

No. The iPhone XR reached its maximum iOS version with iOS 18. It still receives critical security patches on iOS 18, but it cannot be upgraded to iOS 26 or any future major iOS version.

What is the difference between a vintage and an obsolete iPhone?

Apple classifies a product as vintage when it has not been sold for more than 5 years but less than 7 years. It becomes obsolete after 7 years. Vintage devices may still receive limited repairs from Apple and Authorized Service Providers depending on parts availability. Obsolete devices receive no official hardware service at all.

Is it worth buying a refurbished iPhone with limited iOS support?

It depends on your needs and budget. A refurbished iPhone 12 or newer still has multiple years of iOS support ahead and offers significant savings over buying new. Models like the iPhone XR or XS are best avoided if you want to stay on the latest iOS, but they remain functional devices for basic tasks at very low prices. Always check the remaining support timeline before purchasing.

When will iPhone 11 stop getting updates?

The iPhone 11 currently supports iOS 26, but it is expected to reach its support limit when iOS 27 launches in September 2026. After that, Apple will likely continue issuing security patches on iOS 26 for the iPhone 11 for at least one more year.

How Long Does Apple Support iPhones? (2026 Guide)

Most iPhones receive between six and eight years of software support, which is considerably more than the typical Android handset. Whether you want to know if your current phone still gets updates, or you are shopping for a refurbished iPhone and wondering how many years of support remain, this guide has the answer.

This article covers how long Apple supports each iPhone model through iOS 26 (including the newly released iPhone 17e), explains which devices are now classified as obsolete or vintage, and gives you practical advice on timing your next upgrade.

How long will my iPhone be supported?
What are the obsolete and vintage iPhones?
- Obsolete iPhones list
- Vintage iPhones list
Frequently asked questions
Takeaway

How long will my iPhone be supported?

To understand Apple's support timeline, it helps to know what "support" actually means. When Apple releases a new iOS version, the system requirements rise. Devices that cannot meet those requirements stop receiving major OS updates at that point. Security patches, however, often continue on the older OS branch for a year or two after the cutoff.

Let's look at the full historical record: every iPhone model, its release date, discontinuation date, and maximum iOS compatibility.

Important note: support end dates for current models are estimates based on Apple's historical average of roughly 7 years of major OS support from release. They may change as Apple's policies evolve.

Model	Release date	Discontinuation date	Supported	Maximum iOS compatibility
iPhone	Jun 29, 2007	Jul 15, 2008	No	iOS 3
iPhone 3G	Jun 09, 2008	Jun 7, 2010	No	iOS 4
iPhone 3GS	Jun 19, 2009	Sep 12, 2012	No	iOS 6
iPhone 4	Jun 24, 2010	Sep 10, 2013	No	iOS 7
iPhone 4S	Oct 14, 2011	Sep 9, 2014	No	iOS 9
iPhone 5C	Sep 20, 2013	Sep 9, 2015	No	iOS 10
iPhone 5S	Sep 20, 2013	Mar 21, 2016	No	iOS 12
iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus	Sep 25, 2014	Sep 7, 2016	No	iOS 12
iPhone 6S / 6S Plus	Sep 25, 2015	Sep 12, 2018	No	iOS 15
iPhone SE (1st generation)	Mar 31, 2016	Sep 12, 2018	No	iOS 15
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus	Sep 16, 2016	Sep 12, 2017	No	iOS 15
iPhone 8 / 8 Plus	Sep 22, 2017	Apr 15, 2020	No	iOS 16
iPhone X	Nov 3, 2017	Sep 12, 2018	No	iOS 16
iPhone XS / XS Max	Sep 21, 2018	Sep 10, 2019	No (iOS 18 max, security patches continue)	iOS 18
iPhone XR	Oct 26, 2018	Sep 14, 2021	No (iOS 18 max, security patches continue)	iOS 18
iPhone 11	Sep 20, 2019	Sep 7, 2022	Yes, until ~2026	iOS 26
iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max	Sep 20, 2019	Oct 13, 2020	Yes, until ~2026	iOS 26
iPhone SE (2nd generation)	Apr 24, 2020	Mar 8, 2022	Yes, until ~2027	iOS 26
iPhone 12	Oct 23, 2020	Sep 12, 2023	Yes, until ~2027	iOS 26
iPhone 12 mini	Nov 13, 2020	Sep 7, 2022	Yes, until ~2027	iOS 26
iPhone 12 Pro	Oct 23, 2020	Sep 14, 2021	Yes, until ~2027	iOS 26
iPhone 12 Pro Max	Nov 13, 2020	Sep 14, 2021	Yes, until ~2027	iOS 26
iPhone 13	Sep 24, 2021	In production	Yes, until ~2028	iOS 26
iPhone 13 mini	Sep 24, 2021	Sep 12, 2023	Yes, until ~2028	iOS 26
iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max	Sep 24, 2021	Sep 7, 2022	Yes, until ~2028	iOS 26
iPhone SE (3rd generation)	Mar 18, 2022	Feb 19, 2025	Yes, until ~2029	iOS 26
iPhone 14	Sep 16, 2022	Feb 19, 2025	Yes, until ~2029	iOS 26
iPhone 14 Plus	Oct 7, 2022	Feb 19, 2025	Yes, until ~2029	iOS 26
iPhone 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max	Sep 16, 2022	Sep 12, 2023	Yes, until ~2029	iOS 26
iPhone 15	Sep 22, 2023	In production	Yes, until ~2030	iOS 26
iPhone 15 Plus	Sep 22, 2023	In production	Yes, until ~2030	iOS 26
iPhone 15 Pro	Sep 22, 2023	Sep 9, 2024	Yes, until ~2030	iOS 26
iPhone 15 Pro Max	Sep 22, 2023	Sep 9, 2024	Yes, until ~2030	iOS 26
iPhone 16	Sep 20, 2024	In production	Yes, until ~2031	iOS 26
iPhone 16 Plus	Sep 20, 2024	In production	Yes, until ~2031	iOS 26
iPhone 16 Pro	Sep 20, 2024	In production	Yes, until ~2031	iOS 26
iPhone 16 Pro Max	Sep 20, 2024	In production	Yes, until ~2031	iOS 26
iPhone 16e	Feb 28, 2025	In production	Yes, until ~2032	iOS 26
iPhone 17	Sep 19, 2025	In production	Yes, until ~2032	iOS 26
iPhone Air	Sep 19, 2025	In production	Yes, until ~2032	iOS 26
iPhone 17 Pro	Sep 19, 2025	In production	Yes, until ~2032	iOS 26
iPhone 17 Pro Max	Sep 19, 2025	In production	Yes, until ~2032	iOS 26
iPhone 17e	Mar 11, 2026	In production	Yes, until ~2033	iOS 26

Notes: predictions use a 7-year average from release. Apple lists iOS 26 support for iPhone 11 and newer, plus SE 2nd generation and later. iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max reached their maximum with iOS 18; they continue to receive critical security patches on iOS 18. Older iOS branches also receive periodic security updates from Apple.

As you can see, iOS 26 supports the iPhone 11 and newer, including the iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) and the iPhone 17e released in March 2026. The iPhone XR and XS series are capped at iOS 18 but continue to receive critical security patches. The iPhone 8 and X generation stopped at iOS 16.

Take a look at the full iPhone stats page on RefurbMe for live price trends, average discounts, and the days from release to first refurbished listings. It is a quick way to time your next purchase.

Apple issues critical security updates on older iOS branches for supported devices, so even phones that have reached their maximum iOS version are not necessarily left unprotected overnight. In the next section you will see which models are now vintage or obsolete, where official service and parts availability begin to wind down.

What are the obsolete and vintage iPhones?

When considering how long Apple supports older iPhone models, it helps to start with Apple's official policy.

Apple says: "Owners of Apple products may obtain service and parts for a minimum of 5 years from when Apple last distributed the product for sale."

iPhone 4

Obsolete iPhones list

Obsolete iPhones are discontinued models for which it has been more than seven years since Apple last distributed them for sale. Apple and Authorized Service Providers no longer offer hardware service for these devices.

iPhone (the original, 2007)
iPhone 3G
iPhone 3GS
iPhone 4
iPhone 4S
iPhone 5 (added to obsolete list March 2026)
iPhone 5C
iPhone 5S
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6S Plus (32GB)

Vintage iPhones list

Vintage iPhones are models Apple stopped distributing more than five but less than seven years ago. Repairs may still be offered, subject to parts availability.

iPhone SE (1st generation)
iPhone 6S
iPhone 6S Plus (except 32GB, which is obsolete)
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 8, 64GB and 256GB models
iPhone 8 (PRODUCT RED)
iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT RED)
iPhone X
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max

Note on network coverage: All major US carriers completed their 3G shutdowns in 2022. European operators are phasing out 3G through 2025, and in the UK Virgin Media O2 began switching off 3G in 2025. If you rely on a 3G-only handset, mobile data connectivity will be affected.

Frequently asked questions

Takeaway

Apple's track record on software support is one of the best in the smartphone industry. Even budget-tier and older flagships receive close to 7 years of major iOS updates, giving buyers strong value over time. The jump from iOS 18 to iOS 26 (Apple's new year-based versioning system) drew a clear support boundary: iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR stop at iOS 18, while the iPhone 11 and every model released since then runs iOS 26.

If you are shopping for a refurbished iPhone, prioritize models from the iPhone 12 generation or newer to get the most remaining software support. For a detailed comparison of sellers and prices, see our guide to the best places to buy refurbished iPhones, or explore how refurbished differs from used and new Apple devices before you decide.

We will update this post whenever a new iPhone or iOS version is released, or any iPhone is reclassified as vintage or obsolete, so bookmark this page and check back when you need the latest data.