YouTube app will no longer run on these iPhone and iPad models, know the reason

YouTube has quietly released a new app update that is now ending support for older iPhone and iPad models. The latest YouTube version 20.22.1 now requires iOS 16 or above, so this app will not work on those Apple devices that are limited to iOS 15. Due to this change, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and first generation iPhone SE users will no longer be able to install or update the YouTube app. Apart from this, this app will no longer support the 7th generation iPod Touch, which is stuck on iOS 15.

YouTube will not run on these iPad models as well

YouTube has now made iPadOS 16 or above mandatory for iPad users as well. This means that older models like iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 will no longer support this new app version. Although these devices are still considered fine for normal use, the latest version of YouTube app will no longer run on them.

Although YouTube app will not run on these devices, users can still access YouTube in mobile browser through m.youtube.com. But this method will not provide the features that are available in the app, such as smooth navigation, offline video saving and better streaming options.

This change is an indication that now most app developers are focusing on new and modern devices. This decision of YouTube has come at a time when Apple has also officially declared iPhone 6 "obsolete", which means that it is no longer eligible for any official service or repair.

What is the reason

Interestingly, a few days ago WhatsApp also took a similar step. Now this app will only work on those iPhones which have iOS 15.1 or above, and Android 5.0 or above is mandatory for Android phones. Earlier, many smartphones launched before 2014, such as iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, Samsung Galaxy S3, HTC One X and Sony Xperia Z, will no longer support the new update of WhatsApp.

What Meta said

Meta says that older devices do not have the security and technical capabilities that today's apps require. The company periodically evaluates which devices are practical to support, and those with a low user base or old hardware are gradually discontinued. For users who still have such old devices, this could be a sign that it is time to upgrade, especially when important apps like YouTube and WhatsApp are also leaving them.