These iPhones, Macs, iPads May Not Support Apple’s New Software

These iPhones, Macs, iPads May Not Support Apple’s New Software

As Apple prepares to unveil its next generation of operating systems—iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, and tvOS 18—millions of users are excited about new features powered by Apple Intelligence, Apple's groundbreaking suite of AI-powered capabilities. But not every device will be eligible for these updates. With every major software release comes the inevitable trimming of the compatibility list, leaving some older devices behind.

This article explores which iPhones, iPads, and Macs may be excluded from Apple’s newest software updates in 2025, why this happens, and how it affects users. Whether you're holding onto an iPhone 11 or using a 2017 MacBook Pro, it's time to find out if your device is on the chopping block.

Why Apple Drops Support for Older Devices

Before diving into specific models, it's important to understand why Apple phases out support for older hardware:

  1. Hardware Limitations
    New software is optimized for newer processors and advanced system components. Older chips, like the A12 or Intel CPUs, lack the neural engines and GPU acceleration needed to run AI-powered features.

  2. Security
    Older devices may lack the secure enclave upgrades, firmware, or encryption modules required to run newer, more secure operating systems.

  3. Development Efficiency
    Supporting every old device slows down development and testing. Apple must draw the line somewhere to ensure high performance and reliability on current devices.

  4. AI Integration Demands
    Apple Intelligence, which integrates system-wide AI, requires advanced machine learning accelerators, larger RAM, and high-efficiency cores—only found in recent chips like A17 Pro, M1, and newer.

iPhones That May Not Support iOS 18 or Apple Intelligence

Apple generally supports iPhones for 5 to 6 years after release. However, AI-driven features in iOS 18 will reportedly require the A17 Pro chip or better.

Likely Supported iPhones (for iOS 18 + Apple Intelligence):

  • iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max (A17 Pro)

  • iPhone 16 series (to be launched with iOS 18)

  • Future iPhones with M-series or enhanced neural engines

Supported for iOS 18, but not Apple Intelligence:

  • iPhone 15 / 15 Plus (A16 Bionic)

  • iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / Pro Max (A15/A16)

  • iPhone 13 Series (A15 Bionic)

  • iPhone SE (3rd Gen) – A15 Bionic

  • iPhone 12 Series (A14 Bionic)

  • iPhone 11 Series (A13 Bionic)

Possibly Dropped from iOS 18 Entirely:

  • iPhone XR

  • iPhone XS / XS Max

  • iPhone SE (2nd Gen)
    These models use the A12 Bionic chip, which may no longer meet the minimum requirements for core system updates.

iPads That May Not Support iPadOS 18

iPadOS 18 will include productivity upgrades and Apple Intelligence for supported models. But many older iPads won’t make the cut, especially those using A12 chips or older.

Likely Supported iPads (with Apple Intelligence):

  • iPad Pro (M1, M2, M4)

  • iPad Air (M1, M2)

  • iPad (10th Gen with A14 Bionic)

Supported for iPadOS 18, but not Apple Intelligence:

  • iPad Air (4th Gen – A14)

  • iPad Mini (6th Gen – A15)

  • iPad Pro (2020, A12Z)

  • iPad (9th Gen – A13)

  • iPad (8th Gen – A12)

Likely Dropped from iPadOS 18:

  • iPad Air (3rd Gen – A12)

  • iPad Mini (5th Gen – A12)

  • iPad (7th Gen – A10 Fusion)

  • iPad Pro 2018 (A12X)

While the 2018 iPad Pros are still powerful, their older chips and lack of advanced neural processing could disqualify them from further updates.

Macs That May Not Support macOS 15 (and Apple Intelligence)

Apple’s shift to its own Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) has defined a new line in the sand. Though macOS 15 may still support some Intel Macs, Apple Intelligence will be exclusive to Apple Silicon Macs, starting with the M1.

Likely Supported (macOS 15 + Apple Intelligence):

  • All Macs with M1, M2, M3, or M4 chips, including:

    • MacBook Air (M1 or newer)

    • MacBook Pro (M1 or newer)

    • Mac mini (M1 or newer)

    • iMac (M1 or newer)

    • Mac Studio (M1 Max/Ultra or newer)

    • Mac Pro (M2 Ultra)

Supported for macOS 15, but not Apple Intelligence:

  • Intel Macs still running macOS 14 Sonoma, including:

    • MacBook Pro (2018–2020 Intel)

    • MacBook Air (2018–2020 Intel)

    • iMac (2019–2020 Intel)

    • Mac mini (2018–2020 Intel)

    • Mac Pro (2019 Intel)

Likely Dropped from macOS 15:

  • MacBook Pro (2017)

  • MacBook Air (2017)

  • iMac (2017)

  • MacBook (2016)
    These machines were previously cut from Sonoma or were barely included. macOS 15 will likely end support entirely for these Intel devices.

What About Apple Watch and Apple TV?

While this article focuses on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, Apple is also expected to release watchOS 11 and tvOS 18.

Apple Watch (watchOS 11):

Likely dropped:

  • Apple Watch Series 4 (2018)

  • Apple Watch Series 5 (2019)
    These older models may not support the processing demands of new fitness and AI-driven features.

Minimum requirement:

  • Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

  • Apple Watch Series 6 or newer

Apple TV (tvOS 18):

Apple rarely drops support for Apple TVs, but older models may not receive full feature sets.

Likely safe:

  • Apple TV 4K (2021 and 2022)

Likely dropped:

  • Apple TV HD (2015)
    Its A8 chip is ancient by modern standards.

What Features Are You Missing If Your Device Is Unsupported?

If your device doesn't get the latest software or misses out on Apple Intelligence, here’s what you might lose access to:

  • AI Summarization in Mail and Safari

  • System-wide Writing Assistant

  • Generative Image Tools for Messages and Notes

  • Personalized Siri Capabilities

  • Real-time Notifications Summarization

  • AI-enhanced Multitasking

These features aim to redefine how users interact with Apple devices, going far beyond the basic feature set of previous versions. Missing out on them might mean a less intelligent, less responsive experience overall.

What Should You Do If Your Device Is Affected?

1. Don’t Panic

Even if your device doesn’t get the latest OS, Apple typically provides security updates for 1–2 more years. Your iPhone or Mac will still be usable and safe.

2. Consider a Trade-In

Apple and major retailers offer generous trade-in values. Upgrading to an M-series Mac or A17 iPhone now puts you in line for full support for the next 5+ years.

3. Wait Until After WWDC

Apple will officially announce supported devices during the WWDC 2025 keynote. If you’re on the edge of compatibility, wait for confirmation before making any decisions.

How Apple Intelligence Changes Everything

Apple Intelligence marks a turning point for the company. Unlike previous updates focused on UI or battery life, this one is about making the system actively smarter. That requires:

  • More RAM

  • Dedicated Neural Engines

  • Fast On-device Machine Learning

Older iPhones and Macs simply weren’t built with these capabilities in mind, making it impractical or impossible to retrofit such intelligence into them.


Final Thoughts: The End of the Intel and A12 Era

Every major Apple software release leaves some devices behind, but this year’s update feels more consequential. Apple is clearly setting the stage for an AI-first future, and that future demands more powerful, modern hardware.

If your device is still using an Intel processor or an A12 Bionic chip or older, you’re likely to be affected. For some, it may be disappointing, but for others, it’s a sign that the tech world is evolving rapidly—and it's time to upgrade to keep pace.

Still, Apple’s long-standing support for older hardware—often better than Android counterparts—means you’ve likely enjoyed a good run. And if you do decide to upgrade, the new generation of Apple hardware promises to deliver a radically more intelligent and responsive experience, powered by Apple Intelligence.

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