Apple Halts iCloud Backups For iOS 8, Earlier Devices

Apple has officially discontinued iCloud backup support for iPhones and iPads running iOS 8 or earlier, a change that took effect this week as announced in November, according to MacRumours. This marks the end of iCloud backup capabilities for these older devices.

In addition to halting new backups, Apple has also deleted any existing iCloud backups for devices running iOS 8 or earlier. The company stated that while iCloud backup functionality is no longer available, the apps and data stored directly on these devices remain unaffected.

To continue using iCloud for backups, users must update their devices to iOS 9 or a later version. For those unable to update, manual backups to a Mac or Windows PC are still an option for safeguarding data.

This move aligns with Apple’s strategy to modernize its cloud services, which now require a minimum of iOS 9 for backup functionality. The transition to CloudKit with the release of iOS 9 rendered the older backup system obsolete, prompting this phase-out.

The discontinuation is part of Apple’s broader effort to streamline its ecosystem and support devices running more current software.

Must Read: Threads Lets Users Add Creative Touches When Reposting Media