La evolution of Apple operating systems leaves many older devices without updates. Planned obsolescence and hardware incompatibility of older devices with new operating systems means that users have to change products from time to time. The same thing happens with apps: they stop being compatible with older operating systems, sometimes leaving users unable to access their favorite apps. This is what is happening right now with Netflix, one of the most used streaming video platforms in the world, which has announced that will be withdrawing support for its app for iOS 16 and iPadOS 16. That is to say, It will only be compatible with those devices with iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 onwards.
Netflix will stop working on iOS 16
On June 16th we will finally welcome iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 after more than 3 months of betas since their presentation at WWDC24. From that day on, developers will begin to update their apps to integrate all the new features that this new operating system offers. In addition, many other developers will have to decide when to stop supporting the operating systems, although Apple always updates iOS and iPadOS in their older versions to protect against security bugs.
This is happening now with Netflix. The new update that is being installed on iPhones and iPads with iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 is issuing an alert to users that The app will stop working if you do not update to iOS 17 or iPadOS 17:
We've updated the Netflix app! To use the latest version, install iOS 17 or later.
This move could be interesting and coherent considering that new performance improvements come with new operating systems. However, The lack of compatibility with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 leaves many users behind with those products that cannot update to the new versions. These devices include the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, the iPhone X, the 5th generation iPad released in 2017, and the 1st generation iPad Pro.
For the moment, it is only a warning because the app is still working. However, It's just a matter of days before Netflix turns off the tap and disables the app on iOS 16 and iPadOS 16. Don't let it catch you off guard!