Tech News

Netflix App to Stop Working on iPhones and iPads Running iOS 16 or Older Version

Highlights

Netflix will stop supporting its app on older Apple devices that can’t run iOS 17.
Devices that can’t update to iOS 18 or iPadOS 18, like iPad Pro 2 and iPad 6, may also lose Netflix support.
Users can still watch Netflix via Safari or use the current app version without updates

Netflix App Ending Support for iOS 16, Need iPhone XS or Later (Photo by Grant Davies on Unsplash)

The trend of popular apps stopping support for older OS versions is nothing new and has been happening for a while. It is also one of the reasons that motivate users to a device upgrade. While the iOS 18 release is just around the corner, it is that time of the year when older devices start losing access to popular apps. This time, we have Netflix taking the lead.

According to the latest Macrumous report, Netflix will soon stop supporting its app on older Apple devices that can’t run iOS 17.

MacRumors‘ contributor Aaron Perris discloses in his report that code strings on the latest iOS update for the Netflix app reveal that the popular streaming service is about to end support for iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 devices.

The ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ models that are set to lose support for the Netflix app are as follows:

‌iPhone‌ 8
‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus
‌iPhone‌ X
‌iPad Pro‌ (1st generation)
‌iPad‌ (5th generation)

As these devices are no longer supported by Apple’s latest iOS updates, the Netflix app will no longer work on them in future versions.

Moreover, iPadOS 18 will also leave out a few other iPads like the iPad Pro 2 and iPad 6. So, chances are Netflix will also stop working on these devices in the future.

Apple typically provides around five years of iOS updates, but older devices may start to lose app compatibility as they age.

Netflix will soon stop working on these 5 Apple devices

This previously happened just like the iPhone 8 and iPhone X are now.

These models, which are nearing eight years old, won’t be able to update the Netflix app and may miss out on new features.

However, users can still watch Netflix via Safari or continue using the current app version without updates.

Tech experts usually believe this to be a well-planned device obsolescence, but phones older than seven or eight years facing compatibility issues seem natural.

FAQs

Q1. Which devices will lose Netflix support due to the latest iOS update?

Answer. Netflix will stop supporting its app on devices that can’t run iOS 17, including iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPad Pro (1st generation), and iPad (5th generation).

Q2. Can users of older devices still access Netflix?

Answer. Yes, users can still watch Netflix via Safari or continue using the current app version without updates, although they may miss out on new features.

Q3. Why is Netflix ending support for older devices?

Answer. As older devices are no longer supported by Apple’s latest iOS updates, they face compatibility issues with new app versions. This is a common trend as devices age and new OS versions are released.

Q4. What new features can we expect in iOS 18?

Answer. iOS 18 will introduce new Home Screen and Control Center customizations, generative AI features, a revamped Photos app, Mail improvements, and text effects in Messages, among other enhancements.

Q5. Which devices will be compatible with iOS 18?

Answer. iOS 18 will be compatible with iPhone models starting from iPhone XR and newer, including iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and the upcoming iPhone 16 series.