Apple Won't Make You Upgrade to iOS 15 and Will Continue to Provide Security Updates for iOS 14 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Won't Make You Upgrade to iOS 15 and Will Continue to Provide Security Updates for iOS 14

Apple plans to allow iPhone and iPad users to remain on iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 even after the launch of the iOS and iPadOS 15 updates, according to new details on the software pages for the new updates.

iOS 14 on iPhone feature emergency

iOS now offers a choice between two software update versions in the Settings app. You can update to the latest version of iOS 15 as soon as it's released for the latest features and most complete set of security updates. Or continue on iOS 14 and still get important security updates until you're ready to upgrade to the next major version.

With prior updates, Apple has prompted users to update right away and has stopped signing past versions of iOS to make it impossible to downgrade, but it sounds like Apple is planning to relax that policy going forward.

This will be useful for those who are not able to update their devices because of device restrictions or requirements implemented by work organizations or schools.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2026

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

LFC2020 Avatar
63 months ago
That’s because even apple know iOS 15 is basically iOS 14. 🤦‍♂️😂😂😂
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
63 months ago
This is the perfect solution for those who are worried about bogging down their older devices- having the choice is something this forum has been requesting for years.

And still getting security updates makes it a win-win.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
63 months ago
Probably means it won’t work WELL on iPhone 7 or 8 or possibly X
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
63 months ago
Thank god. I will not let my mother update for Safari alone 😅 she will call me asking who deleted the internet cuz she can’t search for any sites anymore (too used to the look and feel of an address bar on top)
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
63 months ago
Probably because of those 32GB devices.

Look what happened with Watch S3 and watchOS 7.5.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
63 months ago
Wonder what legal issue is forcing them to do this.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)