Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Tech Advisor reports that 16 Apple devices will lose software support with upcoming OS updates, including five Apple Watch models and several iPad variants.
- Notable casualties include Apple Watch Series 6-8, SE 2, Ultra 1, all Intel Macs for macOS 27, and older Apple TV models from 2015-2017.
- iPadOS 27 requires A14 or M1 chips while iPhones maintain compatibility, marking an unusually large number of recent devices being dropped from support.
The next versions of Apple’s operating systems, which the company unveiled at WWDC 2026, are due in mid-September. Once again, some devices are being dropped from the compatibility list, although this year is quite unusual: whilst there are no changes for the iPhone compared to iOS 26, an unusually large number of Apple Watches and iPads are being dropped.
First, the good news: if you own an iPhone currently running iOS 26, it will also receive iOS 27. So, unless your iPhone is literally falling apart, you can wait another year before upgrading. The same applies to the HomePod. Whilst this applies to iOS 27 as a whole, there are, as always, restrictions when it comes to individual features. This time, it mainly concerns the enhanced features of Apple Intelligence.
Intel Macs are being phased out
A turning point is on the horizon for the Mac, though Apple has already announced this in advance: all Intel Macs will no longer receive macOS 27 Golden Gate. However, only four devices are affected, such as the 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2019 (full list below). Some older Intel Macs were already excluded from receiving macOS 26 Tahoe last year.
As for the iPad, a total of five models are affected, as iPadOS 27 raises the system requirements from the A12 to the A14 or M1 chip. Specifically, this year’s list excludes both sizes of the 2018 iPad Pro as well as Air, mini and standard iPad models (list below).
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
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Apple Watches & more
The biggest cut, however, affects the Apple Watch, which has always got off relatively lightly in recent years – presumably due to a lack of groundbreaking, resource-intensive features. Among those affected are models that are only four years old – highly unusual for Apple’s smartwatch.
This year, a total of five models are being phased out: the Apple Watch Series 6 from 2020, the Apple Watch Series 7 from 2021, the Apple Watch Series 8 from 2022, the Apple Watch SE 2 from 2022 and the Apple Watch Ultra 1 from 2022 will not receive watchOS 27 – a total of three generations in one fell swoop.
The Apple Watch Series 9 was also included in this list to begin with, but it turned out to be a mistake.
Last but not least, two Apple TV models are being dropped from the list: the 2015 Apple TV HD after eleven years and the 2017 Apple TV 4K 1 after nine years of service. The only two Apple TV models to receive tvOS 27 are therefore the last two generations of the Apple TV 4K: the 2021 model and the 2022 model, which is still the current model.
Here’s the full list of Apple devices losing software support from September 2026:
macOS 27 Golden Gate
- MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019)
- Mac Pro (2019)
- MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020)
- iMac (2020)
iPadOS 27
- iPad Air 3 (2019)
- iPad Pro 3 12.9-inch (2018)
- iPad Pro 1 (2018)
- iPad 8 (2020)
- iPad Mini 5 (2019)
watchOS 27
- Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)
- Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)
- Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)
- Apple Watch Ultra 1 (2022)
- Apple Watch SE 2 (2022)
tvOS 27
- Apple TV HD (2015)
- Apple TV 4K (2017)
This article originally appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and adapted from German.
Author: Eugen Wegmann, Staff Writer, Macwelt
Eugen Wegmann has been writing for German sister site Macwelt since 2022 (previously for TechRadar). He wasn't always an Apple fan and looks at its products and antics with a healthy dose of skepticism, but also curiosity and optimism. In his private life, he still relies on Windows (because Apple is taking its time expanding the gaming platform). He has also been a fan of wireless in-ear headphones from the very beginning, and has tested dozens of models over the years.
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