Streaming giant Netflix has announced it will cease support for iPhones and iPads running iOS 16. This decision comes after the company's recent discontinuation of its app for the third-generation Apple TV, highlighting a trend towards phasing out older hardware.
The latest update to the Netflix iOS app now includes a warning for users on iOS 16 devices, stating, "We've updated the Netflix app! To use the latest version, install iOS 17 or later."
This change primarily affects devices that are unable to upgrade to iOS 17, including
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPad Pro (1st generation)
- iPad 2017 (5th generation)
For Netflix subscribers using affected devices, this development may necessitate considering an upgrade to newer hardware. The timing is particularly noteworthy as Apple prepares to roll out iOS 18 on September 16th, further widening the gap between supported and unsupported devices.
It's important to note that for the time being, users of iOS 16 devices can still access their Netflix accounts through the current version of the app. Additionally, as a workaround, subscribers can use web browsers to stream content if the app becomes non-functional.