How is Apple making users upgrade to newer devices?

First, it was cell service providers who wanted you to upgrade your phone. They did that by phasing out older networks, so if your tech was too old to run on the newer networks you were forced to upgrade. Now, Apple may be employing a similar tactic.

A prominent leaker who has been correct about Apple news in the past, StellaFudge, just dropped the news that Apple is planning on discontinuing its services on older versions of its operating software. If your iPhone is running iOS 11.2.6 or earlier, you will reportedly lose access to Apple services including iMessage, FaceTime, Maps and more in early May. So basically, your phone won’t be worth using any more.

This doesn’t just apply to iPhones, though. If StellaFudge is to be believed, and as of now there’s no reason why not, the same will happen to Apple Watches running watchOS 4.2.3 or earlier, Macs running macOS10.13.3 or earlier and Apple TVs running tvOS 11.2.6 or earlier. If you’re one of those holdouts who won’t upgrade until literally nothing works any more, it may be time to bite the bullet.