No iCloud Backups For Older iPhones

Apple plans to end iCloud backup support for older versions of iOS. From December 2024, devices with iOS 8 or older will no longer be backed up in the cloud. Users of affected devices must act now to protect their data.

Turn old into new: iCloud backup only from iOS 9

According to one, Apple is preparing Report from MacRumors a further cut in support for older operating system versions. Users of iPhones and iPads with iOS 8 or older have to prepare for an important change: From December 18, 2024, the ability to save backups of these devices in iCloud will be discontinued. This measure affects not only new backups, but also existing backups that will be deleted on this deadline.

Apple’s justification for the move

Apple justifies this step in one way recently published support document to “align backup services more closely with published minimum software requirements.” With the introduction of iOS 9, Apple switched to CloudKit for iCloud backups, which is an important technical background for this decision. Users of affected devices have several options for responding to this change.

This news is unlikely to be relevant for many users, as iOS 8 was released in 2014, a decade ago. However, there are still some loyal users of older Apple devices who will be affected by this change and are now receiving the notification from Apple. This now raises the question of how they can secure their data in the future.

Options for affected users

Perform an update: The most obvious option is to update to iOS 9 or a newer version if the device supports it.
Use alternative backup methods: If you can’t or don’t want to update, you have the option of creating manual backups using a Mac or PC.
Consider switching devices: For some users, this might be the reason to think about buying a newer iPhone or iPad model.

Manual backup options

For those who choose the manual backup option, Apple offers several ways:

Mac users with MacOS Catalina (MacOS 10.15) or newer can easily back up their iPhone using Finder.
For older MacOS versions or with a Windows PC, the backup is done via the Apple Devices or iTunes app.

This change does not affect the apps and data stored on the device. Only the backups stored in iCloud are affected.