Apple is notifying users that iCloud backups for devices running iOS 8 or earlier will be discontinued starting December 18, 2024.
After this date, existing backups will be deleted, and devices on older software wonโt be able to create new backups unless theyโre updated to iOS 9 or later.
For those who cannot or prefer not to update their devices, Apple offers an alternative: manual backups via Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina or newer, or through the Apple Devices or iTunes apps on a PC or older macOS versions.
With iOS 8 now being a decade old, this change encourages users to upgrade to newer devices or software versions to maintain backup functionality.