Is the iPhone 11 Still Supported in 2025? Here’s When It Will Stop Getting Updates

Every fall, Apple rolls out a new iOS version alongside its latest iPhone models, introducing fresh features and security enhancements. You might love the excitement of innovation or dread the disruption of change, but either way, whether your phone still receives iOS updates is a key indicator of its lifespan.

Once your iPhone stops getting major iOS updates, it gradually loses access to new app features and compatibility. But that doesn’t mean it’s immediately obsolete: security patches and app support usually continue for at least a year or two after a phone’s last iOS version.

So if you have an iPhone 11, you might be wondering if it’s going to last you much longer. At 6 years old, is it nearing the end of its support cycle? Will the iPhone 11 get iOS 19? And can you keep using your iPhone 11 in 2025? Here’s what you need to know about where your device stands.

How long will my iPhone 11 be supported?

Predicting iOS support timelines is an imperfect science, since it’s entirely up to Apple when a device will be dropped. That said, Apple’s practices have been fairly consistent for the past decade, so it’s possible to make a solid (but not definite) guess. 

We estimate that the iPhone 11 will most likely update to iOS 19, but probably won’t receive further major updates after that. That means it will be supported until fall 2026, when iOS 20 will be released.

Our prediction is primarily based on the iPhone 11’s release date in 2019. Most iPhones receive around 7 years of iOS support. 

So the iPhone 11 likely won’t be able to upgrade to iOS 20, and will be “stuck” on iOS 19. But that doesn’t mean your phone will be ready for the trash. You’ll still receive security updates from Apple for at least another year or two. Crucially, almost all apps should continue to function during that time too.

Older phones like the iPhone X will progressively lose compatibility with apps, since these phones are not compatible with iOS 18. (Want more info on iOS 18 and its suite of new features? We explained everything you need to know here.)

Do you need your iPhone 11 to work with a specific app? Try our App Compatibility Checker. It’s a super helpful little tool that tells you what iOS version you’ll need for over 200 popular apps, and recommends compatible iPhones.

How long does Apple support iPhones in general?

As iPhones get older, Apple stops updating them with the newest major iOS version. Most iPhones receive 5 to 7 iOS updates, or 6 to 8 years of support, with an average of 7 years.

Along with age, another factor in predicting device support timelines is a phone’s processing chip. Generally (but not always!) one chip is dropped per year. For example: the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X did not receive the iOS 17 upgrade in September 2023. All those devices had Apple’s A10 chip.

Based on its chip, we can forecast when a given device will reach the end of its support cycle. For example: the iPhone 13 has the A15 chip, and we expect that it will not receive the iOS 21 update in 2027.

The oldest iPhones still supported by the current iOS version, iOS 18, are the iPhone XS and XS Max. These were released in 2018, and with their anticipated end of support in 2025, that gives them a life cycle of 7 years.

Why does Apple stop supporting phones?

To bring customers the latest features and best performance every year, each new version of iOS demands more computing power. That means older hardware won’t be able to run the software, bringing these devices to the end of their lifespans.

Keeping older iPhones supported also has costs: engineering time, testing efforts and customer service training, among others. Economically, there’s a limit to how many models Apple can continue to support at once.  

For these reasons, Apple usually drops support for one generation of iPhones per year. But there are exceptions, and 2024 was one – in a good way. 

Last year, Apple didn’t exclude any iPhones from upgrading to iOS 18. That means all iPhones that supported iOS 17 will get iOS 18 too, including the iPhone XS and XS Max.

What are obsolete iPhones?

Obsolete and vintage iPhones

Apple classifies older devices as "vintage" if they were discontinued more than five but less than seven years ago, and "obsolete" if discontinued more than seven years ago. If your iPhone falls into one of these categories (i.e., you’re using the iPhone X or earlier), you’re already at least two major iOS versions behind. 

One version behind is typically the sweet spot for security and app support – we’ll get into that in the next section – but this year, no models are in that “Goldilocks” zone. Your phone either runs the latest version or it’s on iOS 16 or earlier – and soon to be obsolete.

Why? Apple is selective about which vulnerabilities it patches on older systems. Devices running software more than one major release old likely aren’t getting full security updates. 

App developers, too, gradually phase out support for older versions. As new apps take advantage of iOS 17 and 18 features, support for iOS 16 will decline. Apps like Gmail, Netflix, Chrome, Uber, and Outlook are expected to drop iOS 16 in the coming months.

For both security and compatibility, we recommend upgrading if you’re using an iPhone X or earlier. The iPhone SE (2nd gen), iPhone 11, or any newer model will keep you covered for at least another two years.

“Goldilocks zone” iPhones

Phones that are one major iOS version behind fall into what we call the Goldilocks zone – not too old, not too new, but just right. These devices don’t get the latest features, but they remain secure and fully compatible with most apps. Typically, this is the ideal spot for users who aren’t chasing cutting-edge updates but still want a phone that works reliably.

In September 2024, no phones entered the Goldilocks zone because all iPhones that supported iOS 17 also support iOS 18. But when the next update comes, it’s likely the iPhone XS/XS Max and iPhone 11 will be “Goldilocks phones.”

App developers often support the current and previous iOS versions, so being one step behind usually means all your apps continue to run smoothly. Similarly, Apple seems to prioritize full security support for the two most recent iOS versions, though older ones may get limited patches.

If you're not focused on the newest features, buying a phone that’s in or soon to enter the Goldilocks zone is often the most affordable sweet spot. You’ll avoid the premium price of the latest model while still getting security and app coverage that meets everyday needs.

Recycling old iPhones

Ready for an upgrade? If your old iPhone still works, don’t toss it – it can still be useful to someone else. Vintage, obsolete, and unsupported models can serve a purpose for app developers, users who just want to call and text, or even film productions.

You can sell your phone through marketplaces like Craigslist or Kijiji – or sell it to Orchard for the safest and easiest process, plus the best trade-in value.

Even if your phone is too broken to sell, Orchard will help you recycle it (and even pay you for some models!), ensuring we keep the planet healthy and don’t contribute to e-waste. 

When will Apple stop supporting each iPhone?

As we mentioned above, there’s no crystal ball that can tell us for sure when each iPhone will stop being supported. But here’s our informed estimate for each phone’s likely last iOS version