Apple drops iCloud backups for iPhones running iOS 8

iCloud data backup: Apple has announced that it will soon stop supporting iCloud backups on iPhones running iOS 8 or older operating system models. The company, in an update on its support page wrote that starting December 18, users will require iPhone models running at least iOS 9 or newer iOS versions to backup their devices.

According to the details shared by the company, until December 18, iPhone users running iOS 8 will be able to save their iPhone's data on iCloud as they have been doing until now. However, post this date, their backed up data will be deleted unless they upgrade their iPhone's device OS to iOS 9 or newer iOS version.

"Starting December 18, 2024, device backups will require iOS 9 or later...Until this date, you’ll be able to use the service as normal. Afterward, your backup data will be deleted unless you update to iOS 9 or later," Apple wrote on its support page.

Additionally, the company clarified that post December 18, users with iPhones running iOS 5 through iOS 8, will not be able to create new backups for their iPhones, iPads or iPod Touch. "Your existing backups of these devices will be inaccessible," Apple added on its support page.

iPhone data backup: How to update iPhone to keep using iCloud backup

Step 1: Open the Settings app on iPhone.
Step 2: Go to General settings.
Step 3: Tap the Software Update option.
Step 4: Tap Download & Update option to install the latest available OS option.

Apple has also suggested alternatives for those who can't update their iPhones or whose devices don't support newer iOS models. The company, in its support document wrote that users who can't update their iPhones can back up their data in macOS Catalina or newer macOS models.

iPhone data backup: How to backup iPhone data on macOS Catalina

Step 1: Connect the iPhone with mac running macOS Catalina or newer model using a USB cable.

Step 2: Click the Finder icon in the Dock of the mac to open a window in the Finder.

Step 3: Select the iPhone model from the list in the sidebar of the window. 

Step 4: Click the General option at the top of the Finder window.

Step 5: Select “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.” 

Step 6: Click Back Up Now.