iCloud: be careful, Apple could delete your backups

If you still have a device running iOS 8, you will seriously have to reconsider an update. In fact, from December 18, 2024, users of a device with iOS 8 will no longer be able to use iCloud. Worse: their iCloud backups will simply be deleted, which means it will be impossible to restore their device using Apple's cloud service. This change will apply to all models with iOS versions ranging from iOS 5 to iOS 8.

A change made from December 18

At least that's what Apple says in a memo : “Starting December 18, 2024, device backups will require iOS 9 or later. This is to align more closely with our minimum software requirements. Until this date, you will be able to use the service normally. Then your save data will be deleted unless you update to iOS 9 or later” we can read.

For information, here is the list of devices compatible with iOS 9:

• iPhone 4S

• iPhone 5

• iPhone 5C

• iPhone 5S

• iPhone 6

• iPhone 6 Plus

• iPhone SE 1st gen

• iPad 2

• iPad 3rd gen

• iPad 4th gen

• iPad Air

• iPad Air 2

• iPad mini

• iPad mini 2

• iPad mini 3

• iPad mini 4

• 12.9-inch iPad Pro

• 9.7-inch iPad Pro

• iPod Touch 5th gen

• iPod Touch 6th gen

Note that, if you are in this situation but do not want to update to iOS 9, it is still possible to perform a manual backup to a PC or Mac. As a reminder, iOS 8 is over 10 years old nowso this news is not particularly surprising. But if you have an old iPhone or iPad, it might be time to check that it's no longer on iOS 8.