Apple issues a new warning affecting millions of customers

Apple issues a new warning affecting millions of customers

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If you’ve been holding on to an older iPhone, iPad, laptop, or even an Apple Watch and Apple TV to avoid paying big bucks for the latest version, you may be running out of time.

Apple has just announced that millions more products will be listed as “obsolete”. Although the designation itself is not new, Apple has added several older models of its products to these categories.

What does Apple mean by “outdated”?

When an Apple product becomes obsolete, it means the tech giant will no longer support repairs or send iOS security updates to those devices.

This, of course, makes your Apple products vulnerable to malware, because if your product doesn’t have the latest security update — which are pushed to iPhones at a seemingly constant clip — then customers can’t protect themselves from falling prey to cyber crooks looking for security loopholes.

When you fall prey, these scammers can access your iPhone and withdraw money from your bank account and gain access to other accounts.

Related: New study shows the average iPhone is older than you might think

According to Apple, “products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago. Monster-branded Beats products are considered obsolete regardless of when they were purchased.”

Apple also “discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products, and service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products. Mac laptops may be eligible for an extended battery-only repair period of up to 10 years after the product was last distributed for sale, subject to parts availability.”

Is your iPhone on the list?

Apple considers the following iPhones obsolete:

  • iPhone 3G (Mainland China) 8GB

  • iPhone 3GS (Mainland China) 16GB, 32GB

  • iPhone 4 GSM (8GB), black

The newest additions to this list, announced this week, are the iPhone 6 lineup, as well as the original iPhone SE. The latter was a plastic-backed “budget” iPhone first introduced in 2016. Apple released three iterations of the line before discontinuing it.

Similarly, Apple also has a list of products it considers “vintage,” meaning they can still receive updates and repair parts are generally available but hard to find.

Related: Apple Made a Big Move for Your Phone’s Wallet

Apple considers these iPhones old:

  • iPhone 6s (16GB, 64GB, 128GB)

  • iPhone 8 (64GB, 128GB, 256GB)

  • iPhone 8 Plus (64GB, 256GB)

  • iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED™

Mac laptops and desktops are also listed

Apple’s list of outdated Mac laptops and desktops is shockingly long. The list also includes external products for Mac laptops and desktops, including wireless keyboards, base stations, studio displays, geoports, and more.

Apple iPads considered obsolete:

  • iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular (TD LTE)

  • iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • iPad mini Wi-Fi, 16 GB, gray

  • iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular, 16 GB, gray

  • iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular, MM, 16 GB, gray

  • iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular (MM)

  • iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + 4G, GSM + CDMA

  • iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular (TD-LTE)

  • iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi

  • iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular (VZ)

  • iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi

  • iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular (MM)

  • iPad (5th generation) Wi-Fi

  • iPad (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • iPad Wi-Fi + 4G (Version)

  • iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (Version)

  • iPad Pro 9.7-inch Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) Wi-Fi

  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular

Apple considers these watches to be outdated

  • Apple Watch (first generation), 38 mm

  • Apple Watch (first generation), 42 mm

  • Apple Watch Edition (first generation), 38 mm

  • Apple Watch Edition (first generation), 42 mm

  • Apple Watch Hermes (first generation), 38 mm

  • Apple Watch Hermes (first generation), 42 mm

  • Apple Watch Series 1, aluminum (second generation), 38 mm

  • Apple Watch Series 1, aluminum (second generation), 42 mm

  • Apple Watch Series 2, aluminum (second generation), 38 mm

  • Apple Watch Series 2, aluminum (second generation), 42 mm

  • Apple Watch Series 2, stainless steel (second generation), 38 mm

  • Apple Watch Series 2, stainless steel (second generation), 42 mm

  • Apple Watch Series 4, Hermes (Fourth Generation), 40MM

  • Apple Watch Series 4, Hermes (Fourth Generation), 44MM

  • Apple Watch Series 4, Nike (Fourth Generation), 40MM

  • Apple Watch Series 4, Nike (Fourth Generation), 44MM

  • Apple Watch Sport (first generation), 38 mm

  • Apple Watch Sport (first generation), 42 mm

  • Apple Watch stainless steel (first generation), 38 mm

  • Apple Watch in stainless steel (first generation), 42 mm

This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on December 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a favorite source by clicking here.

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