32-bit support is seemingly removed with the beta update

Mar 29, 2017 08:08 GMT  ·  By

Just one day after releasing iOS 10.3, Apple started seeding the first beta of iOS 10.3.2 and might have brought a major change that could affect owners of iPhone 5 devices and fourth-generation iPads, thus hinting towards a major change in the next stable iOS version.

Apple might have removed support for 34-bit devices in the latest iOS 10.3.2 beta version. Apple’s developer downloads webpage reveals that the latest iOS version only contains restore images for 64-bit devices, suggesting that Apple might drop support for older smartphones and devices.

Apple isn’t providing restore images for iPhone 5, iPhone 5c or the fourth-generation iPad, all of which were supported by the iOS 10.3 release, according to Apple Insider. All of these devices use Apple’s A6 SoC built on a 32-bit architecture.

However, this doesn’t come as a surprise, considering that Apple started warning iOS developers about such a move one year after iPhone 5c was released. Apple implemented a new App Store policy that forced developers to provide app updates that include 64-bit versions starting June 2015.

Apple has been preparing for the move for some time now

In addition, Apple warned iOS 10 users last year that 32-bit applications could affect system performance. Recently, the company has started displaying messages to users who wanted to open 32-bit apps in iOS 10.3 beta 1, saying that the application won’t work in future versions of iOS.

A study conducted earlier this month revealed that nearly 200,000 apps from the App Store could be rendered obsolete when Apple completely removes 32-bit support.

At this point, the indications of such a move are quite clear, but since the current 10.3.2 is in beta testing, we can’t say for sure that the move will be fully adopted in the next stable version.

Perhaps Apple will wait and remove 32-bit support with the launch of iOS 11, giving developers more time to set their apps in order. iOS 11 is expected to arrive this June and include Siri integration with iMessage and iCloud.

Apple intends to remove 32-bit support (2 Images)

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Apple's developer downloads webpage doesn't have restore images for 32-bit devices in iOS 10.3.2
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