(Image source from: Macrumors.com)
Apple hosted its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026 last week, where it showcased the upcoming update for its operating system for devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. After the keynote address, the tech company from Cupertino also announced that the updates would mean discontinuing many older products. Apple will stop supporting 16 devices across four different product categories with the launch of iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, and tvOS 27. Apple mentioned that iOS 27 will still work with all iPhone models that are currently using iOS 26. This indicates that the iPhone 11, which came out around six and a half years ago, will keep getting updates, along with newer models. However, any model older than the iPhone 15 Pro series will miss out on the new Apple Intelligence features, the same way it was with the last iOS 26 update.
The most significant changes affect the Apple Watch series. With watchOS 27, Apple will no longer support five models of smartwatches. This seems to be the largest drop in compatibility for a single generation in the history of this platform. The devices affected include the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, the first Apple Watch Ultra, and the second Apple Watch SE. As a result, watchOS 27 will need newer devices powered by Apple’s S9 or S10 chipsets. The iPad line is also facing a big reduction in supported models. Apple has increased the minimum requirement to the A14 Bionic chip or later. Therefore, the company is ending support for five iPad models that could still run iPadOS 26. The tablets affected are the third-generation iPad Air, third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, first-generation 11-inch iPad Pro, eighth-generation iPad, and fifth-generation iPad mini.
macOS 27 Golden Gate is a major update as it signifies the official end of Apple's shift away from Intel processors. It is the first significant macOS version that only supports Apple Silicon hardware. As a result, the Intel-based MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020 with four Thunderbolt 3 ports), iMac (2020), and Mac Pro (2019) will not be able to upgrade to macOS 27 Golden Gate. Finally, regarding Apple TV devices, the tech company announced that it will stop supporting the Apple TV HD from 2015 and the first-generation Apple TV 4K from 2017 after WWDC. Only the second-generation and third-generation Apple TV 4K models will get the tvOS 27 update. Apple usually continues to release security updates and bug fixes for older versions of its operating systems for at least one year after a new version is launched. The newest software updates are currently available in a developer beta and are expected to be released to the public later this year.
The complete list of devices losing support is as follows:
Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)
iPad Air (2019)
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
Apple TV HD (2015)
Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2018)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020)
Apple TV 4K (2017)
Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)
iPad Pro 11-inch (2018)
iMac (2020)
Apple Watch Ultra (2022)
iPad (2020)
Mac Pro (2019)
Apple Watch SE (2022)
iPad mini (2019).
