As of September 15, 2025, Apple has officially discontinued iCloud support for devices operating on iOS 10 and macOS Sierra. This decision affects a range of services, including iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, iCloud Backups, Find My, and iCloud Keychain, rendering them inaccessible on these older operating systems.
Background and Rationale
iOS 10 and macOS Sierra were both introduced in September 2016, marking them as nine-year-old systems. Over time, Apple has consistently phased out support for older software versions to enhance security, improve performance, and introduce new features that leverage advancements in technology. By focusing on more recent operating systems, Apple aims to provide a more secure and efficient user experience.
Impacted Devices
The cessation of iCloud support primarily affects the following devices:
– iPhone 5 (2012): The last iOS version available for this model was iOS 10.
– iPhone 5c (2013): Also limited to iOS 10.
– iPad 4th Generation (2012): Unable to upgrade beyond iOS 10.
These devices cannot be updated to iOS 11 or later, resulting in the permanent loss of iCloud services.
On the Mac side, all hardware that supported macOS Sierra is capable of upgrading to macOS High Sierra. Therefore, users who have not updated their Macs to High Sierra or a newer system will lose access to iCloud services.
Affected iCloud Services
With the end of support, several key iCloud features will no longer function on devices running iOS 10 and macOS Sierra:
– iCloud Drive: Cloud-based file storage and synchronization.
– iCloud Photos: Synchronization of photo libraries across devices.
– iCloud Backups: Automatic backups of iOS devices.
– Find My: Location tracking for Apple devices.
– iCloud Keychain: Password and account information management.
Without an update to iOS 11 or macOS High Sierra, users will only be able to log in with an Apple ID; the actual cloud services will no longer be available.
Historical Context
Apple’s decision to discontinue iCloud support for older operating systems is part of a broader strategy to maintain a secure and efficient ecosystem. In December 2024, Apple ended iCloud Backup support for devices running iOS 8 and earlier versions. Users were encouraged to update to iOS 9 or later to continue using iCloud Backup services. Similarly, in November 2024, Apple announced the end of support for Safari bookmark syncing on devices running iOS 10 and earlier, effective December 18, 2024.
Implications for Users
For users of devices that cannot be updated beyond iOS 10 or macOS Sierra, the loss of iCloud support means that cloud-based services will no longer function. This includes the inability to back up data to iCloud, synchronize photos and documents across devices, and use features like Find My and iCloud Keychain.
Users are advised to consider upgrading to newer hardware that supports the latest operating systems to continue enjoying iCloud services. Alternatively, manual backups to a Mac or Windows PC remain an option for preserving data.
Conclusion
Apple’s decision to end iCloud support for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra aligns with its ongoing efforts to enhance security and performance by focusing on more recent operating systems. Users affected by this change should explore options to upgrade their devices or implement alternative data management strategies to ensure continued access to essential services.
