Microsoft is planning to end OneDrive compatibility with devices that cannot run newer Apple software. iPhones that are stuck on iOS 18—and specifically the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max—will be affected, along with the seventh-generation iPad. These models are excluded because they can’t upgrade to iOS or iPadOS 26.
The upcoming version 18.12.1 of OneDrive will be the final release to support iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. Microsoft has included this change in its TestFlight beta’s release notes.
While Microsoft hasn’t shared a firm date for when the public version of OneDrive will stop supporting iOS 18 devices, its App Store listing now warns users that compatibility for iOS and iPadOS 18 devices will be dropped “soon.” To avoid disruption, the company recommends upgrading to iOS 26 or 27.
Current OneDrive installations on the older devices won’t immediately cease functioning. However, once Microsoft officially ends support, those versions won’t receive updates, meaning no new features, security patches, or bug fixes.
Why This Matters
This is a familiar move in the tech world: phasing out support for older hardware so developers can focus on newer operating systems. Apple’s iOS 26 brought significant changes in API support, security protocols, and performance demands. Devices like the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, stuck on iOS 18, lack hardware and OS support for some of those advancements.
The seventh-generation iPad is similarly constrained—unable to upgrade past iPadOS 18, it won’t be able to keep up with the app’s future evolution. Maintaining backward compatibility comes at the cost of slowed innovation and increased testing overhead.
For users on unsupported devices, this move could mean losing access to a service that many rely on for everyday cloud storage—if something breaks, or an account issue arises, there won’t be updates to resolve it. On the other hand, it simplifies development for Microsoft and allows it to leverage the latest OS features and security standards going forward.
What to Watch For: a firm sunset date from Microsoft when iOS 18 compatibility officially ends; whether similar drops in support happen in other Microsoft apps; how many users need to upgrade—hardware-cost vs. the value of continuing access to OneDrive updates could shape reactions.
All in all, while this shift may frustrate owners of older iPhones or iPads, it aligns with the industry pattern of sunsetting support for aging devices to make room for better security, performance, and features. For most users, upgrading the OS—or eventually the device—will be the only path forward.
